The Calgary Zoo is serving as the temporary home to three orphaned cubs (Photo provided by Alison Archambault, Calgary Zoo)

By Justin Goulet

Calgary Zoo welcomes three orphaned bear cubs, care for animals continues amid pandemic

May 11, 2020 | 9:43 AM

CALGARY, AB – The Calgary Zoo has some new residents.

A trio of bear cubs were discovered by Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers in the Crowsnest Pass last week.

“They knew that we’d be able to find them a suitable, permanent home,” said Alison Archambault, the Calgary Zoo’s director of Brand and Engagement.

She said the cubs’ mother was shot following an incident with hunters.

Right now, she explained the cubs are becoming accustomed to a new surrounding and once they’ve gotten settled, the zoo’s animal care team will conduct medical check-ups to make sure the cubs are healthy, as well as determine their sex.

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The Calgary Zoo won’t be the cubs’ permanent home though, as Archambault said they’re working with industry partners across North America to find a suitable permanent residence for the young bears.

OPERATIONS AT THE ZOO

Archambault touched on how the Calgary Zoo has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said they see well over a million guests every year, so having no visitors at the zoo is a challenge.

Archambault explained that the zoo is a Wildlife Conservation Charity, and it costs about $550,000 a month to feed and care for the animals.

In the current climate, the zoo is operating on a reduced staffing model, with only about 100 workers at the facility.

“When we closed down March 16^th, we had to re-evaluate the types of work we’d be doing during a temporary closure,” she said.

“We had to lay off approximately 60 percent of our staff, so we’re operating with about 100 staff right now and they’re providing exceptional care to our animals and completing business critical operations, but we’re looking forward to welcoming our visitors back just as soon as we can so they can enjoy the animals that participate in our conservation work.”

However, some animals have embraced the peace and quiet.

“Our giant pandas – they’re loving the peace and quiet. Some of our other animals are really noticing the change in routine and noticing the lack of people that are on-park,” Archambault told LNN.

Archambault added staff on-site are making sure to keep the animals entertained.

The Calgary Zoo is also catering to would-be visitors, by sharing ‘Daily Dose’ videos on its website and social media channels, to give people a behind-the-scenes look at the facility.

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