Red pandas enjoy a frosty morning at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. The red panda area is one of those slated for redevelopment by the zoo. Gavin Young/Postmedia
While many Calgarians braved frigid temperatures nearing -30 C on their way to work Monday morning, the zoo’s red pandas didn’t seem to mind the cold blast, playfully rubbing their noses together as they squabbled over a sprig of leaves in their outdoor habitat.
The red panda pack — consisting of six-year-old Linus, five-year-old Udaya and their male offspring, one-year-old Anshu — are among residents of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo that will get upgraded digs as part of a multi-phased redevelopment project.
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Phase 1 will see expansions and upgrades to three exterior habitats that are home to the zoo’s snow leopards, red pandas and red-crowned cranes, along with the departure of a few species, the zoo announced Monday.
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“This project is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, education and animal well-being,” Dr. Kyle Burks, president and CEO of the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, said at a news conference Monday.
“This transformed space is going to immerse our guests in the rich biodiversity of Southeastern Asia, the eastern Himalayas and northeastern Asia.”
The overhaul will feature expansions to the snow leopard and red panda habitats, added “complexity” in the red panda habitats and renovations to the crane facility.
The bigger habitats will include “new experiences” for the animals, such as rock features, water features and other elements “to enrich their daily lives,” Burks said.
Red pandas enjoy a frosty morning at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. The red panda area is one of those slated for redevelopment by the zoo. Gavin Young/Postmedia
When the redeveloped Exploration Asia opens in summer 2026, Burks said visitors will “step into a world of immersive designs, hands-on learning, art and powerful storytelling.”
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“Our goal is to foster a deeper connection between our visitors and the incredible animals of this region, while also encouraging action to protect their habitats and ensure their survival,” he said.
As part of the project, the zoo will bid farewell to three species: the Japanese macaques, Japanese serows and Siberian musk deer.
“For this particular project, we’re looking to expand the size of (some of) the habitats,” he said. “With limited space inside our fences, we need to make room for that.”
The departing species are being relocated as part of the zoo’s collective work with other wildlife conservation facilities to strategically place animals, with species experts finding appropriate homes for them, Burks said.
“They’re going to have much better homes,” he said.
Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo President and CEO Dr. Kyle Burks announces redevelopment plans for parts of the Exploration Asia area of the zoo during a press conference on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Gavin Young/Postmedia
Burks hinted at the addition of a new species as part of the redevelopment, with details to be announced later.
The snow leopards, red pandas and red-crowned cranes will be temporarily relocated during construction, and will not be visible until their new digs are completed, Burks said.
