What is Canada’s greatest animal?
Calgary Zoo wants you to choose from seven candidates vying for the honour
It wasn’t your usual campaign rally.
Little kids, hooting and hollering, proudly holding placards with witty animal slogans, and full-grown adults, many doing their best impressions of animal noises, all packed the Cequel Energy Lodge at the Calgary Zoo on Thursday to voice what they considered to be Canada’s greatest animal.
More than 100 animal lovers were on hand for the unveiling of the seven candidates for Canada’s greatest animal — potentially surpassing Canada’s traditional favourite, the beaver.
The election-style contest is part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations.
“It’s not really clear, back in 1975, who decided the beaver would be Canada’s national animal,” said Lindsey Galloway, senior director at the Calgary Zoo. “But we do know there was no national election.”
The seven candidates vying for honour are the grizzly bear, the grey wolf, the great grey owl, the bison, the Rocky Mountain goat, the whooping crane and, of course, the beaver.
Galloway said these seven species available for voting are representing the 248 species endangered in Canada, and the 270 others at risk of becoming endangered.
“In the end, it doesn’t really matter which candidate is chosen as Canada’s next greatest animal,” said Galloway. “What matters is that people care enough to get involved.” Galloway said the beaver, loon, and caribou’s appearance on Canadian coins — and the moose on postage stamps — are but a small display of the importance of animals to Canada.
“Canadian wildlife species are treasured symbols of our national identity,” said Galloway.
The hope for this campaign is that it sparks a conversation among Canadians about how important animals are to Canada’s national identity and to encourage people to take action.
“This is a fun campaign that has a serious message,” said Galloway. “We’re trying to spark a national, fun conversation about Canada’s wildlife.”
On Thursday, dozens of supporters of the competing creatures carried placards and shouted support for their favourite candidate.
Melody Song, bison supporter, said she’s excited bison are being reintroduced into national parks, but is also thrilled people are finally being made aware of the crises some of these animals are facing.
“A lot of these animals are iconic, but a lot of people don’t know they’re endangered,” said Song.
Maria Martiniello, a beaver backer, said her favourite animal can do no wrong.
“There’s no reason for the beaver to change,” said Martiniello. “They do good work for us and are a symbol we can’t forget.”
It’s hoped animal lovers from across the country will cast a ballot for their favourite candidate.
Voting is now open on the Calgary Zoo’s website and will close on May 18. The winner will be announced the following day.