Greater Vancouver Zoo
5048 - 264th Street,
Aldergrove, BC
Tel: 604-856-6825
Fax: 604-857-9008
http://www.gvzoo.com

Location:
The Zoo is located in Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada, just 500 metres south of the Trans Canada Highway, at Exit # 73.

General Information:
The Greater Vancouver Zoo is dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered species, and creating an educational environment that inspires appreciation and concern about wildlife and wild places.

Age group:
All ages. I think it is fun for all ages. I took my daughter at 1 and half years old and she loved it. I really like she can follow all the paved walkway paths throughout the park and the entire park is fenced in so I didn’t have to worry about losing her!

Babies: This is not an activity designed for infants, however they'll enjoy seeing the animals if they come here with older siblings or friends.

Toddlers: Toddlers will enjoy walking and running along the paths. Younger kids may have trouble identifying with these animals, so you might want to compare them to the animals in their books at home. And, of course, there's the playground. Also the zoo is completely fenced in, making it easy for parents to not worry so much!

Older children: Older kids will also enjoy seeing exotic and wild animals. Be ready for the philosophical questions, though. Some kids may realize that this isn't the animal's natural habitat and wonder if they are happy here.

Hours of Operation:
They are open 365 days a year!
Summer Season, (Apr. 1 - Sept. 30) 9:00am - 7:00pm
Winter Season, (Oct. 1 - Mar. 31) 9:00am - 4:00pm

Cost: (Currently)
It is a little pricey but I feel you can really make a fun entire day of it if you would like and how often do you get to do something this unique, educational and fun? I believe also you can still get 1 admission free coupon if you have an Entertainment book.

Children 3 years old and younger: Free admission.
Adult (16 yrs. - 64 yrs.): $18.00 per person
Child (4 yrs. - 15 yrs.): $14.00 per person
Senior (65 + yrs.): $14.00 per person
Family (2 adults, 2 children): $60.00 per family
Train Reservations: $5.00 per person
Parking : $3.00 per vehicle (all day)
*See website for membership prices!

What is there to Do and See?
Animals & Critters!
Some of the animals and critters at the zoo you might see; Addax, African Lion , Tortoise, Ankole Cattle, Aoudad, Arctic Wolf, Python, Frog, Toads, Camel, Bald Eagle, Ball Python, Gecko, Sheep, Bears, Swans, Deer, Macaw, Python, Flamingo, Tarantula, Chinchilla, Zebra, Tarantula, Cougar, Coyote, Crane, Camel, Goose, Emu, Eurasian Crane, Deer, Lizard, Giraffe, Owl, Iguana, Hippopotamus, Jaguar, Stork, Miniature Horse, Moose, Ostrich, Peacocks, Racoon, Wallaby, Reindeer, Goat, Elk, Cockatoo, Siberian Tiger, Snake, Monkeys, Wolves, Rhinocerous, Boar, Turkey, Yak and much, much more!

Safari Express Miniature Train
A 12-15 minute narrated train tour that takes you around the perimeter of the zoo.
Children 2 years old and younger are free of charge, but must sit on an adult's lap for
safety reasons. A 12-15 minute narrated train tour that takes you around the perimeter of the zoo. Children 2 years old and younger are free of charge, but must sit on an adult's lap for safety reasons. Train tickets and departure times are available at the front admissions booth

Free North American Wilds Safari Bus Tour
This is a 15 minute narrated bus tour that actually takes you inside our
North American Wilds enclosure. You will be able to watch our bears, wolves,
elk, and bison roam free in their natural habitat. Many interesting facts
about our North American animals are also revealed on this safari-style tour.
Tip: Keep your fingers and hands inside the bus!

During the Winter Season, this tour may run in conjunction with our Safari
Express Miniature Train Tour.

Lion & Tiger Feeding
The Lion and Tiger Feeding is at 1:00pm (except Wednesdays when they offer a special Baboon Feeding instead). Watch as Lions and Tigers devour large chunks of raw meat, right before your eyes. Learn interesting facts from the Zookeeper about their survival tactics and realize how very large and ferocious these cats truly are! This show attracts literally HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE everyday.
*All tours, feedings & events are subject to availability and may be weather dependent.

Quadra-cycle Bike Rentals
You and your family can tour around the entire zoo under your own steam!
2-seater Quadra-cycles are $15.00 per hour, 4-seater Quadra-cycles are $25.00
per hour. All cycles include two additional baby seats for your little ones! You may rent these bikes at the Gift Shop located beside the Concession.

(Availability is subject to change at the discretion of the Greater Vancouver Zoo.)
Wheelchair & Stroller Rental
Wheelchairs & Strollers are available to rent at our Admissions Booth
for $2.00 per day and a $10.00 deposit. (The $10.00 deposit will be returned
to you upon our receipt of the wheelchair and/or stroller.)

Get-Around-Zoo
Feel free to bring your bikes, wagons, in-line skates, skateboards or any other
motor-less transportation to our zoo. It's a great work-out, and our paved pathways
provide you with scenic views of wild animals from around the world!

Drive-Thru Policy
Drive-Thrus at the Greater Vancouver Zoo are available for special needs groups
and/or senior groups who experience difficulties walking long distances. See http://www.gvzoo.com/Codes/drive.html for more information.
Special Needs/Senior Bus Tour Policy
This policy is for special needs groups or senior groups who experience
difficulties walking long distances. Your group(s) will be picked up
by our tour bus at the concession area and driven through the North
American Wilds Exhibit. The bus tour will conclude at the concession
area. See http://www.gvzoo.com/Codes/senior.html for more information.

Tips:
1. You can easily spend a few of hours at the zoo and it's a good way for kids to burn off some energy and learn something at the same time. It's ok in the off-season, and not at all busy, but good weather will make the outing that much more pleasant.

2. There is also a playground area for kids to climb and slide if they've still got energy left at the end of the visit.

3. Check the board at the entrance indicating special activities like feeding times. Also, there is a board near the bird area, just after you walk in that indicates new arrivals to the zoo.

4. There is a concession stand at the Zoo, as well as picnic tables in the area. You could pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. The concession is not open in the off-season, but there are vending machines that are kept stocked year-round (chips, candy, chocolate, etc.).

5. There are wild Canada Geese, roosters and chickens roaming around in the field. Geese can be quite aggressive, so be sure that your kids give them some space.

6. Some of the pens have double fences to prevent the animals from coming too close to people, but not all, for example, the ostrich pens, are designed like this. Be vigilant and keep your children, and their hands, away from the fences.

7. Little hands can get dirty, particularly if they're petting animals. There are washrooms nearby, but you may want to have wipes handy. Kids may not want to leave the scene to go to the washroom to wash up. But remember, diaper wipes are not antibacterial so it's best to wash with soap or have an antibacterial cleanser with you.

8. The area is stroller-accessible. You can also bring bikes and/or rollerblades to ride around the property.