Animals attract visitors as BC Wildlife Park sees major boost in tourism

KAMLOOPS — Every year, the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops and its animals draw in roughly 100,000 visitors. This year, however, they’re much busier.

“We’re on target for a fantastic year so our original budget was around 100,000 [people] for the year so I think we’re going to be pushing for 120,000 for the year. As of this morning, we’re sitting at 70,200 guests for the year so far,” says park Executive Director Glenn Grant.

Having a better year weather-wise has certainly helped the park, according to Grant, and he says the facility has benefitted from tourism.

“It’s great. People are enjoying getting outside, people are enjoying moving around and getting out where they haven’t been able to for the last couple of years — so it’s good for everybody.”

First time park-goers have lots to see at the park, from its bears to its sheep and its birds of prey.

Out-of-town tourists say they’re loving the summer fun.

“The animals are incredible — the Kermode bear, the big horn sheep. There’s still lots I have yet to see but I’m looking forward to seeing them,” one tourist said.

“It’s really good,” another child added.

“I’m always fascinated by the grizzly bears. But yeah, overall just a nice family afternoon,” another man said.

Every month, the animals in the facility need at least $10,000 in food.

The cost at the end of the year is upwards of $120,000 just to pay for the park’s food on top of the renovations needed.

With an uptick in visitors this year, Grant says donations have been flowing in.

“With all the visitors that we’re receiving at the park right now all the money that we raise or have donated to us — all gets turned back into improvements to the park or improvements to the animals’ habitats,” Grant adds.

With upgrades coming, the grizzly bear enclosure is set to grow to create more room for Dawson and Knute.