Magnetic Hill Zoo

Magnetic Hill Zoo
Name	Magnetic Hill Zoo
Location	Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Area	40 hectares
Opened	1953
Num species	80+
Num animals	400+
Members	Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Magnetic Hill Zoo is a zoological park located on the outskirts of Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada. Established in the mid-20th century, the zoo has evolved into a regional centre for wildlife display, species conservation, and community engagement. It operates within a network of North American and international institutions, collaborating on breeding programs, veterinary care, and public education.

History

The site traces its origins to post‑World War II urban development in Moncton and the broader growth of recreational institutions in New Brunswick during the 1950s; early municipal planners worked with local civic organizations such as the Moncton Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce to create a public animal facility. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the park expanded exhibits and infrastructure, influenced by trends at major institutions like the Toronto Zoo and the Montreal Biodôme, and adopted modern husbandry standards advocated by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In the 1990s and 2000s the zoo upgraded enclosures following guidelines from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participated in interregional exchanges with facilities such as the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the Calgary Zoo. Recent decades saw capital campaigns supported by provincial bodies including Province of New Brunswick ministries and municipal partners, enabling new habitats, veterinary facilities, and visitor amenities.

Geography and Location

Situated adjacent to the tourist attraction known as the Magnetic Hill phenomenon and near the Trans-Canada Highway corridor, the zoo occupies a largely wooded property within the Greater Moncton metropolitan area. Its setting draws visitors travelling between Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview, and places the park within driving distance of Saint John, Halifax, and other Atlantic provinces. Proximity to regional transport hubs including the Moncton/Robinson Airport facilitates animal transfers with partner institutions like the Toronto Pearson International Airport network and veterinary specialists from the Atlantic Veterinary College at University of Prince Edward Island.

Exhibits and Animal Collection

The collection features a mix of native and exotic taxa across mammal, avian, reptile, amphibian and invertebrate groups, with species acquired through accredited exchanges with agencies such as the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Signature residents have included large mammals comparable to collections at the Assiniboine Park Zoo and Calgary Zoo, primates akin to those at the Montreal Biodôme, and birds similar to exhibits at the Vancouver Aquarium. Themed areas present regional fauna alongside species from temperate and boreal biomes, allowing comparisons to programs at the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Bronx Zoo. Rotating exhibits and seasonal showcases mirror practices at institutions like the Cincinnati Zoo and the San Diego Zoo to maximize welfare and enrichment. The zoo maintains quarantine and holding facilities modeled on protocols from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and veterinary standards shared with the Royal Ontario Museum and academic partners.

Conservation and Research

The zoo participates in ex situ conservation initiatives, cooperative breeding and genetic management programs coordinated with organizations such as the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It collaborates on regional recovery projects for species native to eastern Canada, working with agencies including the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and conservation NGOs akin to the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Research partnerships with universities—especially the University of New Brunswick and the Mount Allison University biology departments—address topics from animal nutrition to behavioural enrichment, echoing research frameworks used by the Ontario Veterinary College and the Atlantic Veterinary College.

Education and Visitor Programs

Educational programming spans school group curricula aligned with provincial learning outcomes set by the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, summer camps modeled after offerings at the Royal Ontario Museum and outreach initiatives comparable to those of the Canadian Museum of Nature. The zoo delivers interpretive talks, behind‑the‑scenes tours, and citizen science opportunities in partnership with community organisations such as the Moncton Public Library and regional stewardship groups. Seasonal events and special exhibits attract partnerships with cultural institutions—similar to collaborations between the Canadian Museum of History and regional zoos—and support volunteer engagement through alliances with service clubs like the Moncton Rotary Club.

Facilities and Amenities

On‑site facilities include veterinary and quarantine clinics, indoor and outdoor educational spaces, picnic and concession areas, and pathways accessible from nearby parking and transit links serving the Greater Moncton area. Visitor services mirror standards at peer institutions like the Toronto Zoo and Calgary Zoo, with gift shops, membership programs and event spaces for private rentals. Infrastructure investments in recent campaigns have improved accessibility and sustainability, following examples set by the Royal Ontario Museum and municipal sustainability plans from the City of Moncton.

Category:Zoos in Canada Category:Tourist attractions in Moncton