The Edmonton Valley Zoo (sometimes known simply as the Valley Zoo) is a zoo located in Edmonton, Alberta's river valley. The Edmonton Valley Zoo is owned and operated by the City of Edmonton and is open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas. The zoo is currently accredited by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums and is one of three accredited zoos in Alberta.CAZA, , CAZA Members Directory - Alberta, Retrieved on May 16, 2011
History The Valley Zoo opened on July 1, 1959, as a replacement for a previous Edmonton Zoo (Borden Park Zoo) which was torn down to expand Northlands Park (now Northlands). The zoo is home to over 350 exotic and native animals and houses over 100 different species. In 2007, the Edmonton Valley Zoo launched the Makira Conservation Fund Initiative in honour of their newly unveiled lemur habitat, named the Makira Outpost after the Makira forest region in Madagascar.City of Edmonton, , Makira Conservation Fund, Retrieved on May 16, 2011 In addition to this cause, the zoo also raises funds and awareness for other endangered animals such as red pandas, through the Red Panda Network,City of Edmonton, , Red Panda Network, Retrieved on May 16, 2011 and various other conservation efforts.City of Edmonton, , Conservation & Environment, Retrieved on May 16, 2011 This facility also promotes animal conservation through its participation in the Species Survival Plan,City of Edmonton, , Species Survival Plan, Retrieved on May 16, 2011 an international effort led by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association which aims to restore endangered animal populations to the wild, for a variety of species. They have raised six red panda cubs since 2007.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo's 2005 Master Plan was approved by Edmonton City Council, allocating $50 million in capital funding. With the first project, Arctic Shores completed, the second phase, The Wander Trail, opened in 2013.
Exhibits
Inner Zoo The Inner Zoo is the area of the zoo that was originally the Storyland Valley Zoo. The vast majority of the area was constructed in 1959. Animals that live within this area of the zoo during summer include: emus, snowy owl, and burrowing owls.
Makira Outpost The Makira Outpost, a primate exhibit, opened to the public in 2007 and is named after the Makira forest region in Madagascar. The exhibit focuses on housing lemurs and raising awareness of Malagasy wildlife conservation.
Design and features The design and construction of Makira Outpost were carried out by Group2 Architecture Engineering. The exhibit consists of three indoor enclosures, each connected to an outdoor habitat. Two enclosures lead to separate fenced outdoor yards, while the third connects to a larger island habitat. The island and moat were created from a pre-existing paved area, with mature elm trees incorporated into the design. The habitat relies on a water moat rather than solid walls, making use of lemurs' natural aversion to water to maintain a barrier-free appearance. Railings are positioned to keep visitors out of the habitat, rather than confining the animals themselves.
The architectural structure of the Makira Outpost features a tent-like floating roof supported by concrete columns wrapped in textured rope. Steel tube branches connect to laminated wood beams overhead. The building is designed to be climatically responsive, supporting naturalistic living conditions for its animal inhabitants.
Resident species As of 2025, Makira Outpost houses ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), a mongoose lemur (Eulemur mongoz), and a black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata). Each primate group shares its enclosure with an African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata).
Conservation initiatives The opening of the Makira Outpost coincided with the launch of the Makira Conservation Fund Initiative in 2007.
Nature's Wild Backyard In 2019 the zoo opened phase one of Nature's Wild Backyard. Phase one includes an immersive exhibit for the zoo's red panda as well as the year-round Urban Farm, home to numerous domestic species. In addition to the animal enclosures the Urban Farm has a restaurant, washrooms, and ice cream stand. Phase II of Nature's Wild Backyard is not completely funded.
Urban Farm The Urban Farm is home to the zoo's farm animals which include juliana pigs, chickens, ponies, goats, baby doll sheep and rabbits.
Carnivore Alley The Carnivore Alley has the majority of the zoo's carnivores, such as red foxes, snow leopards, Amur tigers, Arctic wolves, Canada lynx and serval.
Elephant House and Exhibit
The Valley Zoo's Elephant House is home to Lucy, a female Asian elephant who is from Sri Lanka in 1975 and came to the zoo at the age of two on May 19, 1977. The elephant house is currently closed due to Lucy's retirement from public life. In 2025, Fern Levitt directed a documentary film funded by CBC titled, Lucy: The Stolen Life of Elephants. There is controversy surrounding the decisions not to move Lucy to a sanctuary where she would be with her own kind.
Saito Centre The Saito Centre is named after the zoo's former veterinarian who died shortly before construction of the building. Originally designed as a winter holding building, it now houses all the zoo's fragile animals. It is winter home to all the zoo's primate species as well. It is also home to the reptile and nocturnal wing, froggery (over ten species of amphibians), and many of the zoo's smaller animals. In 2017 an indoor exhibit that houses temporary animal exhibits was created.
African Veldt The African Veldt is home to endangered Grévy's zebras. In November 2025 the zebras were relocated to different zoos so that the exhibit could be redeveloped.
Polar Extremes: Arctic Shores The Arctic Shores replicates an Arctic coast. Harbour seals and northern fur seals can be viewed swimming underwater.
Back Paddocks The Back Paddocks are home to the zoos larger hoof stock and include Bactrian camel, reindeers, and a Sichuan takin group.
Birds of Prey
The Birds of Prey area features "non-releasable" raptors, some of which are in outreach programs. Some species include Eurasian eagle owl and peregrine falcon.
R. Mollot Arctic Wolf Habitat
The Edmonton Valley Zoo unveiled its new Arctic wolf habitat in April 2025, marking a significant advancement in the zoo's commitment to animal welfare and conservation education. Named the R. Mollot Arctic Wolf Habitat, this expansive enclosure offers a naturalistic environment designed to reflect the wolves' native Arctic tundra.
The $1.8 million project was fully funded through the collaborative efforts of the Valley Zoo Development Society, the Government of Alberta, the Malliner Charitable Foundation, and private donors. The Valley Zoo Development Society not only spearheaded the fundraising campaign but also oversaw the construction of the habitat.
Spanning 5,000 square meters (1.24 acres), the habitat is the largest of its kind in Alberta. It includes a climate-controlled indoor area equipped with heating and air conditioning to ensure year-round comfort for the wolves. The outdoor environment features indigenous flora, large boulders, fallen logs, a pond with a waterfall, and an underground den, all designed to encourage natural behaviors.
The habitat houses six Arctic wolves: Tundra, a long-time resident of the zoo, and two females, Aspen and Anuri, who arrived from France in February, 2024. In May of 2026, three wolf pups were born to parents Tundra and Aspen that have yet to be named. Animal care staff are managing the gradual introduction of the wolves to each other to ensure appropriate social dynamics within the habitat.
This development aligns with the Edmonton Valley Zoo's broader revitalization efforts aimed at enhancing animal habitats and promoting conservation awareness. The zoo's leadership emphasizes that the new habitat not only improves the quality of life for the wolves but also serves as an educational platform to inform visitors about Arctic wildlife and the challenges these animals face in the wild.
Lucy the elephant
Early life and arrival Lucy is an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) who has resided at the Edmonton Valley Zoo since 1977. She was born in Sri Lanka and arrived at the zoo on May 19, 1977, after being orphaned and raised at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and became a central part of the zoo's early animal collection. At the time of her arrival, Lucy was developmentally assessed to be approximately two years old. During this period in time, many zoos in North America acquired elephants to attract visitors and promote education about exotic species.
Asian elephants typically have an average lifespan of around 45 years, although individuals in human care can sometimes live longer. The Edmonton Valley Zoo celebrates Lucy's birthday annually on Canada Day (July 1). The zoo decided in 2021 that it would not acquire any further elephants.
Living conditions Due to Edmonton’s northern climate, special accommodations were created for Lucy’s care. The zoo constructed a heated elephant house with three rooms, rubberized and sand-covered floors to promote comfort and foot health, and textured walls that assist with skin care. The building is heated by large vents and the floors are sloped to allow drainage.
Care and health Lucy's health has been carefully monitored and managed by a team of specialized veterinarians since she arrived at the zoo in 1977. Over the years, her health assessments have been publicly shared, with independent veterinary experts reviewing her condition annually (see Past Health Updates and Assessments).
One of the key health concerns for Lucy is her chronic respiratory condition, which includes severe hypoxemia and hypercapnia.Goeritz, F., & Hildebrandt, T. (2022). Examination report of the Asian elephant “Lucy”. https://www.edmonton.ca/sites/default/files/public-files/2022_Lucy_HealthAssessment1.pdf These conditions make her vulnerable to stress and respiratory complications, especially during transport. For this reason, veterinary experts have consistently recommended that Lucy not be relocated, as the risks to her health would outweigh any potential benefits.Goeritz, F., & Hildebrandt, T. (2023, December 5). Examination Report of the Asian Elephant “LUCY”. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/18hCnW7I1KLOhfuAtCgaSEqOK2fwaZPfX/view?usp=sharing The most recent health assessment, conducted in September 2024, reaffirmed this stance, noting that Lucy’s health would be jeopardized by any relocation.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo has states that they remain committed to providing Lucy with the highest standard of care, cooperating with external veterinary experts to ensure transparency. The zoo also maintains CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accreditation, ensuring that its facilities and practices meet national standards. Lucy’s ongoing health assessments are made publicly available to ensure accountability in her care.
Retirement In 2020, the Edmonton Valley Zoo began transitioning Lucy from public appearances and programs into retirement. As part of this transition, Lucy was gradually removed from interactive encounters and talks with visitors. The elephant building, previously accessible to the public, was officially closed for drop-in access in 2020.Winwood, D. (2023). New medical insights will guide Lucy the Elephant’s care at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. City of Edmonton. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KcBSllRpSVr3rtOGYvrXZ5DzxohKro-o/view?usp=sharing The zoo emphasized that Lucy would be the last elephant to call Edmonton home, marking the end of the zoo's elephant program.
In her retirement, Lucy is given the freedom to roam the zoo grounds with no restrictions on her movements. She is not confined to specific public or non-public spaces, and she has significant autonomy over where she wanders and at what pace.
Controversy