Wildlife Park’s Saturday proceeds to benefit zoo

Calgary’s flood-damaged zoo is getting a boost from some furry friends in Innisfail.

Discovery Wildlife Park is donating all of its Saturday gate proceeds to help the Calgary Zoo’s mounting reconstruction efforts.

June flooding caused more than $50 million in destruction at the island zoo. Since the June 20 flood waters forced the emergency evacuation of lions, tigers and other animals from the Calgary Zoo’s island, Discovery Wildlife Park has leaped to the zoo’s aid.

The privately owned Innisfail park, located 118 kilometres north of Calgary, has honoured more than 770 Calgary Zoo season passes and hosted three school groups originally scheduled to visit Calgary Zoo.

And park officials say they will continue accommodating visitors until the end of the month, when the Calgary Zoo partially reopens on July 31. “One hundred per cent of the money that people pay for admission to our place (Saturday) will go toward the Calgary Zoo,” said Discovery’s owner Doug Bos.

Professionals from the wildlife park helped move the zoo’s lions and tigers as flood water rose just metres away from the lion house overnight on June 20. The rescue was performed shortly before the city declared the island off-limits.

Twelve animals were removed to the zoo’s holding facility using the Innisfail park’s crates, equipment and skilled labour.