Stanley Park Zoo

Stanley Park Zoo was an animal exhibition within Stanley Park, Vancouver's prominent urban green space. The origins of the zoo can be traced back to 1888 when the park's first ranger, Henry Avison, took in an orphaned black bear cub. This initial animal became the foundation for what would grow into a more extensive collection.

Early Collection and Growth

By 1905, the zoo had received several donations, including a monkey, a large seal, four grass parakeets, a raccoon, a canary, and another black bear. Over the years, the collection expanded significantly, eventually housing more than 50 animals. These included a diverse range of species such as snakes, wolves, emus, bison, kangaroos, monkeys, and Humboldt penguins.

Major Attractions and Closure

In the 1970s, the zoo, bolstered by a new polar bear exhibit constructed in 1962, had become one of the park's main attractions. This concrete grotto, where polar bears entertained crowds for many years, is the primary remaining physical trace of the former zoo.

However, by the 1990s, plans were developed to upgrade the zoo, but Vancouver voters opted instead to phase it out. This decision was solidified in a referendum in 1994. The zoo was subsequently shut down in 1996, with its animals relocated to various facilities, including the petting zoo area, the Greater Vancouver Zoo, or other institutions. The final closure of Stanley Park Zoo occurred in December 1997, following the death of its last resident, a polar bear named Tuk, who had remained due to his advanced age.