The Saskatoon Zoo is located within the Forestry Farm park in the Silverspring neighbourhood. Opened in 1972 with animals acquired from the Golden Gate Animal Farm, the zoo has been delighting the citizens of Saskatoon and area for nearly 35 years with its primarily prairie-focused animal collection. Some of the species the park has include bison, elk, wolves, foxes and goats. More exotic species currently include the monkeys in the monkey house and an orange Bengal tiger.

One of my favourite areas in the zoo is the marsh at the far east of the park. It is so serene and peaceful and when you are standing out on the pier that it is easy to forget that you are even still in the city. Various birds float along while marsh insects buzz the surface of the water.

A favourite of the kids is the aforementioned monkey house. Monkey’s swing from trees and climb up and down ropes, entertaining the children with their antics. There is also a pen containing goats that the cautious can pet. Many of the animals in the zoo are ones that have been treated at the University College of Veterinary Medicine and could not survive in the wild.

Some of the larger areas include the pens for the bison and the elk. The bison pen is so large that it has a small pond in it which the bison share with several different types of birds.

The Saskatoon Zoo Society runs a ‘train’ during the summer months that runs the course of the zoo. Patrons can jump on the cars and be given a guided tour around the area. Various concessions are also available and a trip to the zoo wouldn’t be complete without picking up a stuffed animal to help you remember your visit.

The unofficial ambassador of the zoo is the peacock. They have free run of the zoo and can be found practically everywhere. If you’ve never come upon a peacock before, you’ll be astonished by the beauty of their plumage. But what will even more surprise you is how unattractive their voices are. They make a sound that “eeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhhhh” — kind of like a donkey, but much less appealing. You can’t help but break into a smile or laugh when you hearing them honking near you.

The Saskatoon Zoo
1903 Forestry Farm Park Drive (Off Attridge Drive)

306-975-3382