Experience the Zoo in Winter

The Zoo in Winter will be back on December 26, 2008!

Granby Zoo opened its doors to the public for the time on December 26, 2007. The first edition was a success. The Granby Zoo welcomed 50 000 visitors. Visitors can experience unique sides of the Zoo to which they had no access until now. The Zoo in Winter will be back on December 26, 2008.

Did you know that all the animals remain at the Zoo in winter? Granby Zoo's animal collection consists mainly of exotic species found in Africa, Asia, South America and Oceania. This is why it may be surprising for many to learn that a great deal of the Zoo's residents actually enjoy winter.

Several species shown at the Zoo were selected in accordance to their resistance to the cold, since winter in Quebec is usually quite rigorous. We tend to forget that some Asian and South American regions have temperatures that drop below the freezing point for several months of the year. Granby Zoo houses Asian species that have adapted very well to Quebec winters: snow monkeys, Amur tigers, snow leopards, yaks, Himalayan thars, Asiatic black bears, etc. Llamas, alpacas and Andean condors also encounter cold weather on South America's highest peaks. These animals remain outside during winter and are a beautiful sight to behold in the snow.

As for some of the other animals, even if they don't experience cold weather in their natural habitat, they can adapt to colder climates. This is the case for zebras that, like horses, grow a thicker pelt allowing them to tolerate northern winters. Lions and kangaroos also occasionally venture outside.

For the rest of them, all is done to make their stay indoors as comfortable as possible during these few weeks; several animals reside in winter quarters in which temperature and humidity levels are adjusted to be the same they would encounter in the wild. Visitors will be able to visit them as well within their respective pavilions, notably greater flamingos and ring-tailed lemurs.

Back stage at the Zoo

Giraffes and elephants must remain indoors when it gets cold. Their winter quarters, inaugurated in the fall of 2006, are very impressive. As they were designed to allow visitors the privilege of watching these animals at close range, they will also be part of the winter tour.

So bundle up this winter. Should the weather be snowy, replace the stroller with a sled and head for the Zoo to visit tigers and camels.

Presentations by animal keepers and naturalist guides, restaurant facilities and a winter wonderland setting await you.