COME CELEBRATE WITH Us
Come celebrate the BC Wildlife Park’s 60th Anniversary during our BC Bear Day themed event on Monday, August 3rd from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, proudly sponsored by Cascades Casino and Chances Kamloops.
This special day brings together family fun, wildlife education, and a celebration of six decades of conservation, community, and caring for British Columbia’s wildlife.!
Ticket Pricing:
$23.45 per adult
$21.45 for seniors (65+)
$17.45 for children ages 3–17
Children under 3 are free.
Prices do not include GST.
Admission is FREE with an annual pass.
60TH ANNIVERSARY SCHEDULE
9:40AM – 10:20AM Chris the Clown
10:30AM – 11:20 AM 60th Ceremony
10:45AM – 10:50AM Mascot Reveal
11:10AM – 11:20AM Cake Cutting
11:30AM – 02:00PM Live music by Jon Fennell
01:00PM – 01:25PM Kermode Bear Feed Talk
1:30PM – 2:00PM Black bears feed talk
4:00PM – 4:15PM Grizzlies Feed Talk
Kiki the Eco Elf Schedule
11:30AM – 12:15PM Kiki dance party
12:30PM – 1:15PM Kiki salmon story
1:30AM – 2:15PM Kiki Dance party
2:30PM – 3:00PM Kiki Salmon story
3:30 – 4:00 PM Kiki Salmon story
Home Hardware Family Farm
10:30AM – 12:00PM
01:30PM – 03:30PM
BC Wildlife Park
On February 15, 1965, Wildlife Park founder John Moelaert, proposed to the chamber that a zoological facility would be an attraction for both residents and visitors alike. The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce felt that Kamloops was a ‘one-night stop’ and needed more attractions so that visitors would stay longer and benefit the economy. A Chamber sponsored public meeting on March 17th, 1965, in the old Kamloops Library to discuss the possibility of establishing a Wildlife Park. This quickly led to the formation of the Greater Kamloops Zoological Society, which was registered under the Societies Act on March 31, 1965.
The Society’s first task was to find a suitable site and soon entered into discussions with Molson’s Breweries who owned a hop farm to the east of the city. In February 11, 1966 Molson’s Breweries officially donated 106 acres of land to be used ‘in perpetuity’ as a wildlife park. On August 16, 1966 the first exhibits were opened to the public.
Over the forty year history of the Society, the BC Wildlife Park has been continually enhanced through the tremendous support of volunteers and business professionals throughout the province.
Today, the Kamloops Wildlife Park Society is governed by a volunteer board of 14 directors elected at the Annual General Meeting from a membership of over 8,000 people. The BC Wildlife Park attained national status in 1987 when it received accreditation from the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA).
The BC Wildlife Park will be a recognized leader in conservation and tourism in British Columbia
Our Vision
To contribute to a future that embraces conservation of wild ecosystems,
biodiversity and a healthy natural environment.
Our Mission
To encourage the appreciation of and respect for BC’s wildlife,
and to assist in preserving biodiversity through education,
research, captive breeding and rehabilitation services.
Our Motto
Conservation through Education.
Our Philosophy
The BC Wildlife Park connects people to BC’s wildlife and wild places in order to encourage a sustainable society within a healthy natural environment.
To ensure we achieve our Vision and Mission, the BC Wildlife Park facilities and on site and outreach programming are developed according to the following over arching themes:
- Creating positive emotional connections to wildlife
- Experiencing the interconnectedness of nature
- Emphasizing the importance and power of individual responsibility
The New Vision is to develop the facilities and the on site and extension programming in partnership with government and the private sector to interpret BC wildlife and promote sustainability to all people in BC and nature tourists from around the world.