BC Wildlife Park
On February 15, 1965, Wildlife Park founder John Moelaert, proposed to the chamber that a zoological facility would be an attraction for both residents and visitors alike. The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce felt that Kamloops was a ‘one-night stop' and needed more attractions so that visitors would stay longer and benefit the economy. A Chamber sponsored public meeting on March 17th, 1965, in the old Kamloops Library to discuss the possibility of establishing a Wildlife Park. This quickly led to the formation of the Greater Kamloops Zoological Society, which was registered under the Societies Act on March 31, 1965.
The Society's first task was to find a suitable site and soon entered into discussions with Molson's Breweries who owned a hop farm to the east of the city. In February 11, 1966 Molson's Breweries officially donated 106 acres of land to be used ‘in perpetuity' as a wildlife park. On August 16, 1966 the first exhibits were opened to the public.
Throughout the history of the Society, the BC Wildlife Park has been continually enhanced through the tremendous support of volunteers and business professionals throughout the province.
Today, the Kamloops Wildlife Park Society is governed by a volunteer board directors selected at the Annual General Meeting from our membership. The BC Wildlife Park attained national status in 1987 when it received accreditation from the Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA).
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