Magnetic Hill Zoo hopes to extend opening season into winter

The Magnetic Hill Zoo is looking at extending its season from fall right into Christmas.

Thanks to an $84,000 boost in funding during Moncton's budget sessions, the zoo is also ready to add new exhibits.

The zoo received 142,000 visitors this year, and wants to increase that to 150,000 next year.

Manager Bruce Dougan says part of that strategy means opening past the fall.

"We've got a big facility here. A lot of the staff are here year round, so it’s great to take the opportunity to open the doors and to gain extra revenue in periods of time when you don't normally get revenue. This is a great opportunity for us to extend our season through November and December,” he said.

Christmas at the zoo

One event could be Wild Lights, a program that has worked at other zoos.

Cathy Simon, the visitor and education programs coordinator, said planning is underway to bring it to Moncton.

"You'll come to the zoo when it's dark and we will have Christmas lights everywhere you can imagine, decorating the trees, all of the buildings, that sort of thing,” she said.

“It will be beautiful, a nice walk in the winter, so bundle up because it is outside."

Dougan said the key to the zoo's success is keeping exhibits fresh and adding new attractions. Next year, a new section with space for the zoo’s cats will come on board.

"We're very excited to have an amur leopard here at the zoo. We're hoping to find a male to mate up with her, but at this time we just have the one because they're so rare."

The zoo is also building a guinea pig village for young children.

Dougan says right now the zoo is the number two paid attraction in the province and he's aiming for number one.