Halifax Area Zoo

[Musquodoboit County]

The Oaklawn farm zoo is closed.
I was hoping this was something that could grow and kinda become our zoo (1 hour outside Halifax). But now with it closed I wonder if a zoo is something Halifax could have.
Halifax is not Toronto but man I really enjoyed going to that Zoo

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Musquodoboit County

The Oaklawn farm zoo is closed.
I was hoping this was something that could grow and kinda become our zoo (1 hour outside Halifax). But now with it closed I wonder if a zoo is something Halifax could have.
Halifax is not Toronto but man I really enjoyed going to that Zoo

Magnetic Hill Zoo is only 2.5 hrs away!!

https://www.zoodemagnetichillzoo.ca/

I know it isn't in Halifax, but, there are precedents. Montreal's zoo is arguably in Granby, about a 90 minute drive.

[q12]

Shubenacadie Wildlife Park (Zoo) is only 30-45 mins from the city.

https://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca/

[fatscat]

Originally Posted by q12

Shubenacadie Wildlife Park (Zoo) is only 30-45 mins from the city.

https://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca/

This. It also neighbours a mini putt course and playground so very easy to extend the day.

[MonctonRad]

Shubie is a wildlife park, not a zoo (no exotics). And, as far as a mini-putt is concerned, The Magnetic Hill Zoo is across the street from Magic Mountain (waterpark, amusement park and 36 hole miniature golf facility).

https://magicmountain.ca/

[q12]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Shubie is a wildlife park, not a zoo (no exotics).

It is literally the definition of a Zoo. And is far larger in size then the Zoo in Moncton. The animals have more space to roam.

a facility with usually indoor and outdoor settings where living, typically wild animals are kept especially for public exhibition

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoo

[MonctonRad]

Perhaps in physical area, but, again, it is a wildlife park and not a zoo. I don't see any lions, or Siberian tigers for example. We are adding a penguin exhibit this year. There is even a long term plan to expand the African section of the zoo and to add giraffes.

This source has rated the Magnetic Hill Zoo as the fifth best zoo in Canada:

https://traveltriangle.com/blog/zoos-in-canada/

This modern and family-friendly zoo boasts of an interesting line-up of 600-plus indigenous and exotic animals from Asia, Africa and Americas as well as a Discovery Centre. With its focus on protection of animal species, public awareness and education about the different habitats, Magnetic Hill Zoo is home to Amur tigers, lemurs from Madagascar, Gibbon apes and many more animals. Being the largest zoo in Atlantic Canada, it has fantastic displays, petting and feeling areas as well as special camps and events for children all year round.

Don’t miss out on these: Boo at The Zoo (October), Wild Lights (Dec-Jan) and Zookeeper programme for kids.
Location: 125 Magic Mountain Rd, Moncton, NB E1G 4V7, Canada
Entry Fee: Vary between $5-11 for children and $9-15 for adults depending on the season.

[q12]

Ok this is a thread about a Zoo in Halifax. Moncton also has a Zoo, great for Moncton.

Personally I'm not a fan of having exotic animals held in small enclosures far away from their Native Habitat for the purpose of public display. Shubenacadie's Zoo has a different purpose:

Where do the park's animals come from?

Most of the animals at the park come to us from other zoological facilities in North America where they are born in captivity. They feel at ease around people and related activities so they are usually visible to the visiting public.

A few have been received from members of the public who kept wildlife as "pets". Once they reach maturity these animals are usually no longer wanted. They cannot be released to the wild, so they are sent to our park for rehabilitation and care.

Will the animals ever go back to the wild?

It is the Park's policy to provide the best possible care to orphaned and sick animals in need, with the ultimate goal being release back to the wild.

We do not take animals from the wild for the sole purpose of public display.
Some of the animals come to us from the wild as very small orphans with severe injuries. Even though they receive medical attention and the best possible care, some injuries could not be repaired so the animals have to remain at the Park, or be put down.

Some of the very young orphans require such intensive care that they become imprinted on humans. To release these animals to the wild would not be in their best interest as they will often fall victim to human activities.

https://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca/animals/

[q12]

Interesting that Halifax had the oldest North American scientific Zoo north of Mexico, and opened to the public the same year as the London Zoo (both opened in 1847). It was in Fairmount next to the Ashburn Golf Course/Bi-Hi.



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-...dens-1.3207653

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downs%...ogical_Gardens

[Nouvellecosse]

I always found it a bit odd that there's no zoo considering that both Moncton and Saint John have one and HRM has a greater population than them combined. But maybe that's partly why MH zoo has managed to thrive for so long. Last time I was there I actually ran into a family I knew with from Halifax which seemed funny because I only see them in person maybe once a year here!

[q12]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I always found it a bit odd that there's no zoo considering that both Moncton and Saint John have one and HRM has a greater population than them combined.

Saint John Zoo is now closed.

https://globalnews.ca/news/9495642/s...rry-brook-zoo/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_zoos_in_Canada

[Dmajackson]

I enjoyed my regular visits to Magic Mountain and Magnetic Hill as a kid. I never drove to it from Halifax though. Always came from my extended family's homes in Cumberland County (NS).

I also enjoyed my visits to Oaklawn Farm Zoo. Any excuse to take a daytrip up to the Valley and back!

90 minutes and almost 3 hours are very different drives, especially with children. One can be managed in a day with correctly timed naps while the other would require either a hotel stay or nighttime driving a long, secluded highway that is full of wildlife hazards.

Magnetic Hill could be considered the zoo for Halifax if the travel time could be dropped to under 2 hours. This would require an average speed of 130km/h. Until we either get flying cars or a high-speed rail the zoo really is just for Northern Nova Scotia at best.

Also forgot to mention I do enjoy Shubie Wildlife Park. It's not your typical zoo and is quite nice to stroll through.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I always found it a bit odd that there's no zoo considering that both Moncton and Saint John have one and HRM has a greater population than them combined. But maybe that's partly why MH zoo has managed to thrive for so long. Last time I was there I actually ran into a family I knew with from Halifax which seemed funny because I only see them in person maybe once a year here!

The Cherry Brook Zoo in Saint John has sadly closed.

The Magnetic Hill Zoo is one of the top tourism attractions in NB. The zoo, combined with Magic Mountain (and the Magnetic Hill phenomenon itself) makes a critical mass big enough to be a tourism draw for the entire region. There are also several wineries on the hill, as well as a casino, the Molson Canadian Centre (live shows) and multiple hotels. The beaches at Shediac are only 20 minutes away, and other things in the area such as the Hopewell Rocks, Fundy Park and the Bouctouche Dunes. I am not surprised that you might run into somebody from Halifax while visiting the zoo.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

90 minutes and almost 3 hours are very different drives, especially with children. One can be managed in a day with correctly timed naps while the other would require either a hotel stay or nighttime driving a long, secluded highway that is full of wildlife hazards.

I actually agree with you. The distance between Moncton and Halifax is just far enough that it isn't really convenient for a day trip. I do do it, but it makes for a long day.

I think this is why Moncton has developed independently from Halifax, and, although close to Halifax, isn't really a satellite of Halifax.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by q12

Ok this is a thread about a Zoo in Halifax. Moncton also has a Zoo, great for Moncton.

Personally I'm not a fan of having exotic animals held in small enclosures far away from their Native Habitat for the purpose of public display. Shubenacadie's Zoo has a different purpose:

https://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca/animals/

Although a zoo and not a wildlife park, the mission of the Magnetic Hill Zoo is actually similar.

The zoo does not capture animals in the wild by specimen collecting expeditions. All of the animals on display were bred in captivity (except for some native animals donated from local rehab facilities because they could not be returned to the wild).

The mssion of the zoo is educational, but, there is also a lively captive breeding program for endangered species. It is sad to say, but for some species on display (like the Siberian (Amur) tigers) the captive population in zoos around the world is greater than the remaining wild population in the Amur river region of Siberia. For some species, if zoos did not exist, extinction would be inevitable. Zoos can provide a valuable service. The work of the magnetic Hill Zoo is widely respected, and the facility has won multiple CAZA awards over the years as a result.

Does HRM need an actual zoo? Perhaps. I will leave that up to Haligonians to decide. Personally, I think the region needs a proper aquarium. A professional aquarium would look great on the Halifax waterfront.

[q12]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Personally, I think the region needs a proper aquarium. A professional aquarium would look great on the Halifax waterfront.

I'd like to see a renovated (or new) and expanded Museum of Natural History which could include an Aquarium.

The Halifax or Dartmouth waterfront would make a good location.

Maybe part of the new Art Gallery District currently on hold:

[Dmajackson]

I've moved the thread to the entertainment section since we can clearly say if a zoo is ever built in Halifax it's not going to be in the urban core.

Maybe Halifax can donate some wild animals to Moncton on the condition they don't get bred? We have a unique creature called the "Houstonian Hugger", more commonly known as Premier. We'll provide the warning signage about how unfiltered his actions are and not to get too close for risk of him calling you his friend. We ask for nothing in return, especially not a trade (I've seen Higgs approval rating).

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I've moved the thread to the entertainment section since we can clearly say if a zoo is ever built in Halifax it's not going to be in the urban core.

Maybe Halifax can donate some wild animals to Moncton on the condition they don't get bred? We have a unique creature called the "Houstonian Hugger", more commonly known as Premier. We'll provide the warning signage about how unfiltered his actions are and not to get too close for risk of him calling you his friend. We ask for nothing in return, especially not a trade (I've seen Higgs approval rating).

I would gladly take a Houston for Higgs trade. Shit, NB could even throw in Higgs friend and confident "Faytene" for free.

[Drybrain]

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

I've moved the thread to the entertainment section since we can clearly say if a zoo is ever built in Halifax it's not going to be in the urban core.

Definitely not, though I like the idea of a waterfront aquarium. That picture of the "on hold" AGNS development is a bit sad--it'd be well underway now if the Houston government hadn't cancelled it. An aquarium on the lot to the north? Why not?

[Keith P.]

We already have a zoo. It’s called HRM Council. They have a collection of rare creatures that eat tax dollars.