Greater Vancouver Zoo

If you’ve never been to the Greater Vancouver Zoo in British Columbia, Canada, this article might inspire you to visit the 120-acre zoo that’s wonderful for those of any age. Established on August 20, 1970, the zoo is open all year-long except for Christmas Day, so there are plenty of opportunities to head over there and check them out. Before you do, keep on reading for some information on the Greater Vancouver Zoo and what they have to offer.

A Little History
The Greater Vancouver Zoo was founded by Pat Hines as the World Wide Game Farm Ltd., but it was eventually referred to as the Vancouver Game Farm. He and his family (and other employees) ran the farm until it was sold in 1991; it became the Greater Vancouver Zoological Centre. Finally, in 1999, it was changed to Greater Vancouver Zoo. Since its start, it’s undergone many renovations to become the zoo as you know it today.

The Animals
You’ll see numerous types of animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. Just some of the many you can visit include the Western Toad, Black Swan, Bald Eagle, Peacock, Ostrich, Arctic Fox, African Lion, Coati, Cougar, Moose, Mara, Zebra, and Sika Deer. We also can’t forget about the Ball Python, Mexican Cantil, Softshell Turtle, and Hissing Cockroach. With so many different animals at the zoo, chances are you’ll be able to see your favorite.

Adopting an Animal
As much as you may want to take home one of the fantastic animals at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, it’s not possible. However, you can participate in the Adopt an Animal program which allows you to help support the zoo and their efforts. You can buy an adoption package at one of three levels – $40, $60, or $100 – and there are several different animals from which to choose.

Events and Activities
In addition to visiting the animals, there are also many events and activities at the Greater Vancouver Zoo. You can take a Behind the Scenes tour of the zoo which costs $175 for two people. A narrated tour aboard a miniature train is $5 per person for anyone over 2-years-old, or you can attend Night in the Wild. There are also talks, summer camps, and various other events taking place throughout the year. You can even have a wedding or a birthday party at the zoo!

Now that you know a little information about the Greater Vancouver Zoo, it may be time to plan a trip. Their hours are split into two seasons – summer (April 1 to September 30) and winter (October 1 to March 31) – so make sure to plan accordingly. They open at 9 am all year-long but they run until 7 pm during summer hours and 4 pm during winter hours. If you get in prior to the last admission, you can stay until one hour after (8 pm and 5 pm respectively). There’s a plethora of information on their website that can help you organize a visit, so don’t hesitate to peruse through everything.