Entrance to the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops (Image Credit: File Photo)

By Victor Kaisar

BC Wildlife Park 60 Years

BC Wildlife Park to commemorate Diamond Jubilee in 2026

Jan 4, 2026 | 2:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Planning work is already underway as the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops is preparing to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026.

General Manager Glenn Grant says while nothing has been finalized yet, the plan being worked on will look back on the park’s six decade long history in Kamloops.

“We want to display photographs and stories and the history of the park because there has been a lot of great people and great support that has helped build this park,” Grant said. “It will be great to go back and recognize and honour those contributions that people have made for the past 60 years.”

“I’m fortunate enough to be the General Manager of a place that a lot people before me put a lot of effort in to make this park what it is right now.”

The Greater Kamloops Zoological Society was registered under the Societies Act on March 31, 1965, and the BC Wildlife Park officially opened its doors on Aug. 16, 1966. It was envisioned as an attraction to try and entice visitors to Kamloops to stay longer that just the one night.

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While more details about the plan to commemorate the wildlife park’s anniversary will come in the months ahead, Grant offered a brief insight into what some of those displays might look like.

“Inside the Discovery Centre, there is an Eco Gallery in the back and we’d like to change some of that signage in there to commemorate the 60th,” he said. “We’ll probably have some of that display stuff up next spring and we’ll have a few activities.”

“It’s yet to be determined what those activities are, but they’re in a planning stage.”

You can find more information about the history of the BC Wildlife Park here.