Guest Author - Janet Collins

I know zoos have gotten a bad rap over the years. But not all operate with animals in small, concrete cages, with limited food and water. In fact, some do a bang up job of both educating the public AND taking care of the animals – in some cases bringing some species back from the brink of extinction.

The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops, BC, is one of the better places around. Not only does it give shelter to orphaned wild animals (Dharma the baby moose is just one very cute example), it also provides a protected habitat that encourages endangered species to thrive (the burrowing owls are part of the zoo’s captive breeding program – a record number of these amazing birds were released into the wild this year).

British Columbia has more species diversity than any other province in Canada, and the grasslands represented in the Kamloops region is home to over half the endangered species in the province. While the Vancouver Aquarium interprets the marine wildlife of the province, the BC Wildlife Park provides a chance to explore the amazing terrestrial wildlife of the area in a safe, fun environment – for animals and Park visitors.

Recent expansion of Park facilities has allowed the BC Wildlife Park to further educate the public about the needs of wild animals through the construction of a highly eco-friendly/sustainable operation. In addition to interpretive talks, wildlife encounters and ‘Meet the Keeper’ opportunities, Park guests also have the chance to learn about native plants and xeroscaping – gardening ideas that can be used at home to enhance the living conditions of birds and animals in the visitor’s own back yard.

In addition to regular park visits, guests are invited to use the Park for family parties (what a great birthday party venue for the grandkids!), picnics, and other group activities.

Oh yes, there is a special seniors’ admission price to the Park, too.

To find out more about the BC Wildlife Park, log onto the Park’s website at www.bczoo.org

For more information about the birds and animals of BC, check out the following books:

British Columbia Wildlife Viewing Guide by Bill Wareham
Falcon Guide Publishing ISBN: 1551050005

If you want to see the progress of BC’s most famous eagles (Vancouver Island residents Victoria and Sidney), check out that live cam at
http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/default.asp