The last time you joined us for Walk on the Wild Side, we left you somewhere in the middle of the Canadian Wilds. Well, we couldn’t just leave you there, so let’s continue our tour through the often unexplored Canadian Wilds of the Calgary Zoo.

We ended our tour in the last issue with you just outside of the Cequel Lodge at the far east end of the Canadian Wilds. Before heading indoors, take a few minutes to visit our herd of musk ox. These impressive animals are thought to have crossed the Bering Strait into Canada 90,000 years ago. A bull can weigh between 270 to 315 kilograms and a cow about 90 kilograms less than the males. The musk ox is able to function normally in temperatures of -40°C with high winds and blowing snow, in large measure due to its amazing coat. The coat has both a woolly layer and a hairy layer. The insulating woolly layer is next to the skin and is stronger than sheep’s wool, eight times warmer and finer than cashmere. The coarser hairy layer that covers and protects the wool grows to be the longest hair of any mammal in North America.

Now, make your way inside the beautiful Cequel Lodge where you can enjoy some time visiting our four river otters. They live in two mating pairs – Charlotte and Logan in one area and Callebaut and Heidi in the other. As you will see, otters are expert swimmers and divers, swimming at an average speed of seven miles per hour and staying under water for up to two minutes. Otters can live up to 25 years in captivity, but average 15 years in the wild. Most river otters have peak activity from early evening through to early morning. Their ears and nose have unique valve-like skin that closes and keeps the otter airtight under water.

As you exit the west doors of Cequel Lodge, you will encounter the wood bison. These are the Northern forest species of bison and can be dangerous in a face-to-face encounter because of their sharp horns and large head. They use their hooves and horns for defence, but also have a keen sense of smell and hearing; distinguishing smells from as far as three kilometres away.

As you follow the path west, you will come to the American woodland caribou. We have one male named Pretty Boy and four ladies: Tuktu, Anastasia, Natasha and Tanya. The caribou is well-adapted to its environment with a short stocky body that conserves heat and long legs to help move through snow. Their long dense winter coat provides effective insulation, even during periods of low temperature and high winds. Did you know that caribou are the only member of the deer family where both males and females carry antlers?

As you continue your adventure, you’ll pass the Dall’s sheep, and you may spot one ram named Eyrie and ewe named Chenoa. The lambing season for Dall’s sheep is usually from late May to early June when, after a gestation period of approximately 175 days, a single lamb is born. The young weigh between three and four kilograms at birth and can stand within a half-hour after birth.

As you visit the Rocky Mountain Aviary, you’ll see many different native birds of prey:

• Great Grey Owl. The great grey is rarely seen by people and is very vulnerable to human disturbance, such as clearing of forests for timber or framing. Its adaptations for hunting include soft feathers so flight is silent, and the ability to turn its head three quarters of a circle (270 degrees).
  
  
• Barred Owl. Barred owls are a very vocal species with an easily recognizable nine syllable call that sounds like, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” These owls form mated pairs that stay together for life.
  
  
• Rough Legged Hawk. A large, long-winged, long-tailed hawk, females are larger than males. Their Latin name (what is it?) means rabbit-footed; named so because their legs are feathered completely down to the small yellow feet.
  
  
• Cooper’s Hawk. Cooper’s hawks are monogamous, and many pairs mate for life. Pairs breed once per year and raise one brood in a season.

There are always new things to see and learn about in the Canadian Wilds, and we hope that your next visit to the Zoo will include a trip to this fascinating reflection of our Canadian landscape that features many great Canadian species! At the Calgary Zoo, our mission is to engage visitors in enjoyable and unique experiences, connect our community with nature and inspire actions, which support conservation. For more information, contact 403-232-9300 or visit calgaryzoo.com.