PROJECTS
Carnivore Modernization Project
BE PART OF THIS PROJECT!
Valley Zoo Development Society
The Valley Zoo Development Society (VZDS) is a registered charity and friend of the Edmonton Valley Zoo (EVZ). The VZDS is proud to take a lead role in the EVZ’s stunning transformation into a special place that inspires love and learning of the natural world.
Impact of Your Support
Children are fascinated by the natural world, especially by animals. By providing them with a fun setting where they can learn about animals & nature, we can create life-long ambassadors for the long-term health of our planet.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION!
Carnivore Modernization Project
Budget: $7 million
Project Phase: Beginning Fall 2025
Project Start Date: 2025
Estimated Completion: 2027
The Carnivore Modernization Project is transforming life at the Edmonton Valley Zoo for some of our most charismatic residents — the serval, lynx, snow leopard, and foxes. These new habitats are designed to mirror the wild spaces they call home while providing the highest standards of care and welfare.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS:
Snow Leopard Habitat
- High mountainous rocky terrain & ravine design
- Outdoor viewing habitat with a public glass viewing structure into the yard
- New off-view habitat
- Training wall
- Water feature
- Shade structures
- Heating/cooling rocks
- Cave
Red Fox Enclosure
- Aspen Parkland Landscaping theme
- Underground den
- Additional ground cover, trees, deadfall, boulders
SERVAL CAT HABITAT
- New outdoor viewing habitat
- Grassland design focus
- Radiant heating and a connected heated indoor space for cold-climate needs
- Water feature and heating rocks
Canadian Lynx Habitat
- New outdoor viewing habitat including a public viewing structure with glass viewing into the yard
- Aspen Parkland design
- Native landscaping and grated slopes
- Training wall
- Water feature
- Heating/cooling rocks
WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS
This transformation is part of a broader vision to connect visitors with charismatic carnivore species by building modern, immersive homes for our serval, lynx, snow leopard, and foxes that mirror the habitats of their wild counterparts.
These habitats will feature clear zoo-mesh views, bird-friendly glass, and enriching landscapes that exceed zoological standards — offering comfort for the animals year-round with heated shelters, shaded platforms, and naturalistic spaces to explore.
For visitors, the upgrades mean barrier-free sightlines, seasonally adaptable viewing areas, and new training walls where they can watch animal care in action — creating unforgettable opportunities to learn about and connect with them.
