As I write this, I am listening to some holiday music, because after all, it’s December! I realize there are many different celebrations this time of year in many different cultures. Whichever one you most identify with, I hope you enjoy your traditions and the gathering together that comes along with them. In that light, I have taken inspiration from an old Christmas poem you may recognize:
Santa Visits the Saskatoon Zoo
‘Twas the night before Christmas at the Saskatoon Zoo,
All the creatures were stirring. Well, wouldn’t you?
Santa’s reindeer were coming, flying through the air.
The animals were waiting except for the bears.
The grizzlies, Koda and Mistaya, were hibernating you see,
But the rest were ready for the magical spree.
The bison, the zebras, meerkats and sheep,
The lynx, dingoes and the rest refused to sleep.
Then, above the Enchanted Forest they glimpsed Rudolph’s nose.
The Zoo crew was quiet with Santa and sleigh ever so close.
The mystical reindeer and the jolly man in red
came for a visit and to share what they’d been fed.
There were cookies and carrots, milk and cake.
They filled their bellies, grateful for every bake.
Santa and his reindeer then headed back to the sleigh
To finish their visits before it was day.
The zoo residents exclaimed as the sleigh flew out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!
If you’re not in the holiday mood yet, my suggestion is to travel through the BHP Enchanted Forest in the Forestry Farm Park right beside the Zoo. I was there for one of the walk nights, so that’s where these pictures come from. It’s open until January 4th, 2026, 5:30 to 10pm each night with proceeds to the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation and the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
If you’re in the giving spirit, the Zoo Foundation welcomes your donations to improve the lives and habitats of all of the Zoo’s residents: Donate – Saskatoon Zoo Foundation
Your Saskatoon Zoo Foundation Blogger,
Carol Thomson
