Outreach Program

The Saskatoon Zoo Society can take the zoo to you!

We offer live animal visits with our Outreach Program.

Though our Zoo Club program we offer support for your school’s environment club.

We no longer sell owl pellets. Check out our new Owls and Owl Pellets Program

Click here for our curriculum cross-reference guide.

Animal Outreach Programs

Objectives of Outreach

¨ To increase and maintain awareness and appreciation of animal life.

¨ To provide an opportunity for people to meet animals at close range.

¨ To encourage people to think about the natural world and how we fit into the big picture.

The Outreach Program runs from September to April. 

It may also be available at other times but is subject to availability of our interpreters. 

The Outreach program costs $60.00 for the first class (25 -30 people) and $40.00 for each additional group or class. 
Distance charges of $0.40 per kilometer apply outside of Saskatoon.

Groups can combine our adopt-a-critter program at a special rate of $70.00. Call the Zoo Society at 975-3395 for details. 

Our Outreach Topics

We present a 45 minute to one hour interpretive talk on subjects such as birds of prey, reptiles and amphibians, endangered species, animal coverings, and carnivores and herbivores

Swainson Hawk

Meet ‘Ariel’ our Swainson Hawk.  This magnificent bird of prey offers your students a close up view of this interesting raptor.  Each fall, Swainson Hawks migrate 10 000 km south to the grasslands of Argentina.  In this outreach we’ll explore the adaptations of this raptor, compare them to other raptors, and discover the unique environmental challenges Swainson Hawks face in their South American migration.

Great Horned Owl

‘Spirt’ (pronounced “spirit”) is our one-eyed Great Horned Owl.  This delightful Owl will introduce students into the nocturnal world of owls, and their special adaptations for hunting in the dark.  Unlike the daytime raptors, the hawks and eagles, the Great Horned Owl does not migrate south for the winter.  Find out why.

The Reptiles

We’ll explore the fascinating world of reptiles and discover how they survive in their various ecosystems.  Can a snake “smell” with its tongue?  Are snakes slimy?  Meet our Common Garter Snake from Saskatchewan or Royal Python from Africa, or Central Bearded Dragon, a lizard from Australia, and find out!

Domestic Ferrets – (Saskatchewan Species At Risk Program)

‘Beatrice’ and ‘Sophia’ are our Domestic Ferrets.  The Domestic Ferret originates in Europe where they were used to hunt mice around the house and barn.  Today, we keep them as pets.  Learn all about these amazing members of the mustelid family (which includes badgers, otters, weasels, mink, fishers, martins, and skunks!) and their special hunting techniques.  Saskatchewan was once home to the Black-footed ferret. The last wild ferret in Saskatchewan was seen in 1937. We’ll look back at the history of Saskatchewan’s grasslands and find out what happened to them, and what is being done to fix the problem.

North American Porcupine

Take a close up look at the life of Saskatchewan’s Porcupine and how this unique rodent survives a life high in the trees.

Other animals available for Outreach: European Domestic Rabbits, Tiger Salamander, White Mice

Biological Artifacts – Biofacts – in the classroom

Biofact Presentations are available: Biofacts are hands-on learning. Touchable horns, antlers, feathers, skulls, tracks, and scats (replicas!) are a great way to study animals.

Contact the Zoo Society at 975-3395 for more information.

Attention Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Saskatoon Public Schools: Biofact Boxes are available for classroom loan through your respective school board office. Themes include Birds, Hoofed Animals, and Carnivores.

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Zoo Club Click here for more information on Zoo Club

This is a special lunch-hour (or after school) program designed to be incorporated into your school’s environment or ecology club.  The program runs from October to April and consists of seven monthly appearances by a Zoo Society interpreter and an animal ambassador to discuss a variety of ecological principles associated with the creature.  The Zoo Club runs in a limited number of schools each year. 

Call the Zoo Society at 975-3042 or 975-3395 for availability and details.

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