Zoos & Wildlife Parks
Lakes, rivers, forests, foothills and plains. A landscape big enough to sustain a multitude of wildlife.
Throughout the forests and farmland regions you will meet with deer, moose, elk, coyotes, rabbits, beaver, and other smaller residents of nature that are often seen along the roadside. Watchable wildlife is plentiful here.
Innisfail
Discovery Wildlife Park near Innisfail has produced many of the bears featured in movies filmed in Alberta, including Brokeback Mountain. The bears are trained by world-renowned Ruth LaBarge who has been training Kodiak brown bears for more than 37 years.
Lacombe
Ellis Bird Farm promotes the conservation of cavity-nesting birds and backyard wildlife habitat. It is a working farm but open to visitors during the summer months. The site has the largest collection of bluebird nesting boxes in the province. Don’t miss the gardens designed to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Join a banding tour in June or July. There are self-guided trails, educational programs and a visitors centre.
Red Deer
Kerry Wood Nature Centre/Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary was Alberta’s first national migratory bird sanctuary, established in 1924. Experience the nature of central Alberta in an urban setting through a number of interpretive programs or a quiet hike along a network of trails. Due to the concern and care for resident wildlife, please leave pets at home.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres
Medicine River Wildlife Centre is one of a number of facilities in Alberta that rescue and rehabilitate wildlife for return to their natural habitats. About a half hour west of Innisfail, this centre offers educational programs, outdoor environmental walks and bird watching from an observation tower.
