Banff in Banff National Park, Alberta — Canada’s Prairie Region (North America)
A Zoo in Banff
Photographed by Caroline Record, February 13, 2026
1. A Zoo in Banff Marker
Between 1904 and 1937, Banff Central Park was home to a world-renowned zoo. Visitors could see locally captured wildlife, such as bears and cougars, as well as birds and animals foreign to the Park, like 'Buddy' the polar bear. By 1930, changing values in park management led to increased protection of native wildlife. The zoo was dismantled and the animals were returned to the wild or sent to other zoos.
DE 1904 À 1937, le parc Central de Banff abritait un jardin zoologique de renommée mondiale. Les visiteurs pouvaient y observer des animaux capturés dans la région, comme des ours et des couguars, et d'autres provenant d'ailleurs, comme Buddy, l'ours polaire. À partir de 1930, les valeurs guidant la gestion des parcs se sont mises à évoluer et on a commencé à attacher de plus en plus d'importance à la protection de la faune indigène. Le zoo fut démantelé, et les animaux, libérés. Les uns retournèrent dans la nature, et les autres furent transférés dans d'autres zoos.
Erected by Parks Canada.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals
this page online
Location. 51° 10.433′ N, 115° 34.332′ W. Marker is in Banff, Alberta, in Banff National Park. It is on Banff Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 97 Banff Avenue, Banff AB T1L 1H9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Alberta’s Canadian Rockies. It is also in the Prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony and also Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Norman Sanson (within shouting distance of this marker); Banff Park Museum (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); John Murray Gibbon (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); An Architectural Landmark (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The Cave and Basin (approx. 1.2 kilometers away); Banff Springs Hotel (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Sulphur Mountain Cosmic Ray Station (approx. 3 kilometers away);
Photographed by Caroline Record, February 13, 2026
2. A Zoo in Banff Marker
Also see . . . More information about the Banff Zoo. (Submitted on February 25, 2026, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2026, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec. This page has been viewed 37 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 25, 2026, by Caroline Record of Montréal, Québec. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
