The Calgary Zoological Society will receive $1.3 million from Western Economic Diversification for the expansion of its facilities. The announcement was made this morning by Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Anne McLellan at a news conference held on the Zoo grounds.

"The Calgary Zoo is embarking on a project "Destination Africa - Our Living Classroom", which will consist of three new African facilities designed to make the Zoo a year-round destination," said Minister McLellan.

"Destination Africa" will demonstrate the importance of thinking globally and will be a union of nature and technology to provide visitors with the experience of being immersed in two African ecosystems: the tropical rainforest and the grassy plains," added Ms. McLellan.

The Calgary Zoo, which attracts more than a million visitors per year, is Calgary's number one attraction receiving top honours in the Calgary Herald's Readers Choice Awards for six years in a row. Also the Zoo is recognized nationally as being a valuable resource and received the 1999 "Best Outdoor Attraction in Canada" award from Attractions Canada.

The Destination Africa project will comprise three elements, Kitamba Village, Tatapa Reserve, and Wahigi Plain reflecting several ecological and cultural components of the continent:

• Kitamba Village will consist of round thatched huts that will be used to welcome visitors with music and other cultural elements featured which will enhance the feeling that one has arrived in Africa.
  
  
• The Tatapa Reserve facility will be approximately 31,000 square feet and will be an example of habitat immersion giving visitors a unique opportunity to experience the steamy atmosphere of a tropical African rainforest with its sights, sounds and smells. Western lowland gorillas will be the cornerstone exhibit in this environment.
  
  
• The Wahigi Plain facility will be approximately 21,500 square feet and this facility will house the giraffes, hippos and warthogs. The hippo enclosure will be unique as the hippos will be in an underwater realm. The Calgary Zoo will be the first in the world to offer indoor underwater viewing of these animals.

Destination Africa is scheduled to be completed in 2002.

For additional information, contact:

Don LaBelle
Manager, Consultation, Marketing & Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
(780) 495-6917 (office)
(780) 991-7432