SASKATOON — The fun doesn’t stop just because the temperature drops.
Admission to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is by donation from Nov. 1 to March 31 each year. Saskatchewan winters typically bring snow and cold temperatures prompting many animals at the zoo to demonstrate their natural adaptations to handle the coldest months of the year.
“Many of the species we have at the zoo are well-adapted to cold temperatures,” says Jeff Mitchell, zoo manager. “The Arctic wolves will grow a second layer of fur to protect themselves against the cold and their thick white fur not only provides insulation but is the perfect camouflage to blend into their surroundings in the wild.”
The snow leopard, Canada lynx and caribou are among some of the many animals that will be embracing the colder temperatures while other zoo animals like the black-tailed prairie dogs and grizzly bears are ready to sleep the chilly winter days away.
“Our zookeepers have been working with our animals to provide an environment where they can practice the same behaviours as their wild counterparts. The black-tailed prairie dogs have been busy digging tunnels all summer long and recently finished hauling mountains of straw and other bedding materials down into their elaborate tunnel systems,” says Mitchell.
“We have also seen grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda settling into their den as they prepare to enter torpor.”
In the wild, torpor is a survival tactic used by grizzly bears activated by colder temperatures and decreased food availability. The Zoo will be monitoring the bears closely as their body temperature will decrease about five degrees and their heart rate will slow to about 8-12 beats per minute during torpor.
The dingoes are also prepared for colder temperatures, having moved into a new indoor habitat called the Dingo Den located inside the barn. The dingoes will still have opportunities to explore and enjoy the snow but will remain in their new indoor habitat in favour of warmer temperatures.
The Zoo Gift Shop will be open for the holiday season starting Friday, Nov. 24. Get your 2024 zoo season pass and discover a variety of plush animals, puzzles, games, clothing and more. The Zoo Gift Shop will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Sunday, Dec. 31.
The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit saskatoon.ca/zoo for more information or to plan your next visit.
Bookmark SASKTODAY.ca, Saskatchewan's home page, at this link.
