Wild Times Await You!
There’s no better place to get to know BC’s animals than by visiting the BC Wildlife Park!
The park, which hosts numerous family-friendly events and educational activities, is a non-profit, volunteer-driven location that focuses on conservation through education. It has 106 acres of diverse, natural landscape, and provides a home for over 60 species of animals.
Unlike a zoo, the animals at the park are rehabilitated and released to the wild whenever possible. The Park also houses the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre, where injured animals receive treatment.
Valuing our Wild Lands
The BC Wildlife Park is situated on the traditional territory of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc (teh-kem-lupps tuh suh-Wep-muhc) within Secwépemuc’ulucw (suh-Wep-muhc-ooloo), the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepémc People.
Like many of the Indigenous peoples of Canada, the Secwepémc people consider themselves stewards of the land – guardians and relatives of all living things. They have held this belief for thousands of years, and it is a value shared by the Kamloops community, and the Wildlife Park itself. In fact, the Wildlife Park represents the amazing good that can be achieved when those of colonial heritage support the efforts of Indigenous nations to preserve the land we both live in.
A Dutch immigrant named John Moelaert responded to a call for additional tourist attractions by proposing a dedicated site where orphaned, abandoned, injured, and over-hunted animals could find sanctuary. The idea was popular, they just needed a place to put it, and people to run it.
The land and the people both came from the Kamloops community. A local brewer donated the space, and the park has been staffed primarily by community volunteers ever since.
Photo Credit: Kerri Schill 
Photo Credit: Kerri Schill 
Photo Credit: Kerri Schill 
Photo Credit: Kerri Schill
A Community of Compassion
The park isn’t only a place for animals, though, at the BC Wildlife Park, the mission is “Conservation through education” – and the volunteers and staff alike are dedicated to helping visitors overcome their fears, build relationships with the animals and learn how to be better citizens of nature.
These volunteers come from all walks of life – the youngest current volunteer is 11 years old, and helps in the petting zoo. Visitors can take a ride on the Wildlife Park Express and experience stories about Kamloops, the animals, volunteers and zookeepers. Yes, that is a smiling Donkey and Camels really do learn through symbolic learning with colour touch.
Grizzly Work
Just as the park volunteers and staff give back to the community by offering education and amazing experiences, the animals have something to offer, too. Not only are they amazing to look at and learn about, but they also are a part of Canada’s only Bear Bin testing program. Canada has a famously low population for its size, leading to a lot of rural areas that benefit from secure bear bins.
Be a Part of this Amazing Mission
There are many ways that visitors and community members can contribute toward the park’s goal of a biodiverse, sustainable, and healthy natural world.
The best way is, of course, to visit the park! Since it’s a non-profit organization, all proceeds from tickets and gift shop purchases go directly to the maintenance of the park and the care of the animals who live there, so have a great time and get yourself something nice! But that’s not all you can do:
- Did you fall in love with one of the animals? You can “adopt” an animal through the park’s Adopt an Animal program! Your financial contributions provide ongoing enrichment and care for the animal of your choice. You will also get a personalized certificate and a coloured photo of your new animal friend! All donations are tax-deductible.
- Staying in Kamloops for a while? Consider volunteering at the park! Whether it’s preparing food, maintaining habitats, or taking guests through the educational exhibits, volunteering is a great chance to learn and have fun while contributing to a great cause.
- Have some spare change or soda bottles? You can give your generous donation to the BC Wildlife Park either by giving an online dollar amount or by bringing your refundable bottles and cans to the Lorne Street Bottle Depot – just mention you’d like the proceeds to go to the BC Wildlife Park!
