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BC Wildlife Park
  • About Us
  • Animal Welfare
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Donate Now!
Purchase Day Passes
  • Plan
      • Accessibility
      • Park Map
      • Ticket Information
        • Day Passes
        • Annual Passes
        • Memberships
  • Things to do
      • Our Wildlife
        • Animal Stories
        • Arachnids and Insects
        • Bears
        • Birds of Prey
        • Canines
        • Felines
        • Home Hardware Family Farm
        • Hoofstock
        • Reptiles and Amphibians
        • Small Mammals
        • Waterfowl
      • Upgraded Experiences
        • Birthday Parties
        • Private Animal Encounter
      • Discovery Centre
  • How We Help
      • Sustainability Commitment
      • Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre
      • Injured Wildlife - What To Do
      • Conservation Projects
  • Learn with Us
      • Educational Programs
      • FREE Learning Resources
      • Kids Camp
      • Wild Questions & Wild Answers
  • News and Events
      • BCWP Events
  • support us
      • Financial Support
      • Food Donations
  • About Us
  • Animal Welfare
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Donate Now!
  • Plan
    • Accessibility
    • Park Map
    • Ticket Information
  • Things to do
    • Our Wildlife
    • Upgraded Experiences
    • Discovery Centre
  • How We Help
    • Sustainability Commitment
    • Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre
    • Injured Wildlife - What To Do
    • Conservation Projects
  • Learn with Us
    • Educational Programs
    • FREE Learning Resources
    • Kids Camp
    • Wild Questions & Wild Answers
  • News and Events
    • BCWP Events
  • support us
    • Financial Support
    • Food Donations
Purchase Day Passes

about the bc wildlife park

 Park Hours

Open Daily
9:30am to 4:00pm | Last Admission: 3:30pm 

  • Plan
    • Accessibility
    • Park Map
    • Ticket Information
      • Day Passes
      • Annual Passes
      • Memberships
  • Things to do
    • Our Wildlife
      • Animal Stories
      • Arachnids and Insects
      • Bears
      • Birds of Prey
      • Canines
      • Felines
      • Home Hardware Family Farm
      • Hoofstock
      • Reptiles and Amphibians
      • Small Mammals
      • Waterfowl
    • Upgraded Experiences
      • Birthday Parties
      • Private Animal Encounter
    • Discovery Centre
  • How We Help
    • Sustainability Commitment
    • Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre
    • Injured Wildlife - What To Do
    • Conservation Projects
  • Learn with Us
    • Educational Programs
    • FREE Learning Resources
    • Kids Camp
    • Wild Questions & Wild Answers
  • News and Events
    • BCWP Events
  • support us
    • Financial Support
    • Food Donations

Our History

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.

Throughout the 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 directors selected at the Annual General Meeting from our membership. The BC Wildlife Park attained national status in 1987 when it received accreditation from the Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA).

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 employs both on site and outreach educational programming which have been 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.

 

To learn more about the early beginnings of the BC Wildlife Park:

 

  click here


Board of directors

The Kamloops Wildlife Park Society (BC Wildlife Park, Kamloops), is a non-profit charity governed by a Board of Directors:

  • President -Peter Doyle
  • Executive Director & General Manager - Glenn Grant
  • Treasurer -Dianne Kostachuk
  • 1st Vice President -Jody Tedford
  • 2nd Vice President - Douglas Sage
  • Director -Edna Park
  • Director - Jack Madryga
  • Director - Hans Dorrius
  • Director - Don Bogie
  • Director - Jenn Dalen-Gordon
  • Director - Dr. Dave Sedgman, Veterinarian
  • City of Kamloops - Mike Doll

Interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors? Please visit our Membership  section for more information.   

Learn more about our Bylaws  and Constitutions.

Are you looking for a way to help out our park animals?

Donate Now

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Visit Us

9077 Dallas Dr.
Kamloops, BC, V2C 6V1

Get in Touch

Phone: (250) 573-3242
Email: info@bcwildlife.org

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GET up to date

Our monthly newsletters keep you up to date on the latest events happening in our park.  


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