If you like hot weather, it was a beautiful September in Saskatoon, but even the wildlife at the Saskatoon Zoo and Forestry Farm Park realize what’s coming, or at least their bodies are telling them to prepare. It’s that bittersweet time of year. This, coming from someone who loves the heat, not so much the cold. I plan to visit the Zoo at least once a month, even through the winter, so maybe the sights and the wildlife will change my mind. By the way, to entice you to join me this winter, the Zoo has admission by donation from November through March. The meerkats and other animals that aren’t big fans of winter have moved inside. I’m not sure the guy/gal below trusts me. He seems to be trying to figure me out!
I had never heard of this Zoo resident before – a Turkmenian Markhor. They are the largest of all the wild goat species. Look at those corkscrew-shaped horns. They can reach up to 160 cm in length in the males. The females’ horns are shorter. For those like me who haven’t quite switched over completely to metric, 160 cm is almost 63 inches!
Fall is spectacular at the Saskatoon Zoo. Come and check out the grounds in all its colourful glory. But don’t wait too long, or that colour will be under a blanket of snow!
A reminder, ‘tis the Hallowe’en season. Proceeds from the outdoor light show Pumpkins After Dark go to the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, which raises funds for capital projects like a larger home for the bears, Koda and Mistaya, habitat improvements, and educational initiatives. So, have some Hallowe’en fun and help out this non-profit organization. Pumpkins After Dark is a walk-through light show at Prairieland Park on select dates from October 9th to the 31st. Along the walk, there are over 10,000 jack-o-lanterns, light displays, lots of Insta-worthy photo ops and live pumpkin carving.
So, there you go for another month. More to see and do at the Saskatoon Zoo and at Prairieland with Pumpkins After Dark. Tickets for Pumpkins After Dark are on sale at: https://pumpkinsafterdark.com and use code ZOOPUMPKIN for 15% off!
Your Saskatoon Zoo Foundation Blogger,
Carol Thomson
