News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Year-round adventure at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
November 1, 2023 - 2:00pm
The fun doesn’t stop just because the temperature drops! Admission to the Zoo is by donation from November 1 to March 31 each year. Saskatchewan winters typically bring snow and cold temperatures prompting many animals at the Zoo to demonstrate their natural adaptations to handle the coldest months of the year.
“Many of the species we have at the Zoo are well adapted to cold temperatures,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “The Arctic wolves will grow a second layer of fur to protect themselves against the cold and their thick white fur not only provides insulation but is the perfect camouflage to blend into their surroundings in the wild.”
The snow leopard, Canada lynx and caribou are among some of the many animals that will be embracing the colder temperatures while other zoo animals like the black-tailed prairie dogs and grizzly bears are ready to sleep the chilly winter days away.
“Our zookeepers have been working with our animals to provide an environment where they can practice the same behaviours as their wild counterparts. The black-tailed prairie dogs have been busy digging tunnels all summer long and recently finished hauling mountains of straw and other bedding materials down into their elaborate tunnel systems,” says Mitchell. “We have also seen grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda settling into their den as they prepare to enter torpor.”
In the wild, torpor is a survival tactic used by grizzly bears activated by colder temperatures and decreased food availability. The Zoo will be monitoring the bears closely as their body temperature will decrease about five degrees and their heart rate will slow to about 8-12 beats per minute during torpor.
The dingoes are also prepared for colder temperatures, having moved into a new indoor habitat called the Dingo Den located inside the barn. The dingoes will still have opportunities to explore and enjoy the snow but will remain in their new indoor habitat in favour of warmer temperatures.
The Zoo Gift Shop will be open for the holiday season starting Friday, November 24. Get your 2024 Zoo Season Pass and discover a variety of plush animals, puzzles, games, clothing and more. The Zoo Gift Shop will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. until Sunday, December 31.
The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit saskatoon.ca/zoo for more information or to plan your next visit.
Broadway Avenue closed from Maple to Isabella streets on Thursday
November 1, 2023 - 7:00am
Broadway Avenue will be closed from Maple to Isabella streets for a water main valve replacement on Thursday, November 2, starting at 8:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Broadway Avenue closed from 3rd to 4th streets on Thursday
November 1, 2023 - 6:00am
Broadway Avenue will be closed from 3rd to 4th streets for service connections on Thursday, November 2, starting at 7:00 a.m. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Daily Road Report - November 1, 2023
October 31, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
22ND ST W WB MEDIAN & CENTRE LANES CLOSED AT AVE C S
(Manhole repair)
Start: November 1, 9:00 a.m. End: November 1, 12:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SPEED REDUCTION FROM NEEPAWA ST TO HIGHWAY 12
(Streetlight pole replacements)
Start: November 1, 9:00 a.m. End: November 1, 2:00 p.m.
ONGOING
4TH AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT 19TH ST E
(SL&P manhole repair)
Start: September 18, 7:00 a.m. End: November 2, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PORTAGE AVE
(SaskEnergy construction)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 3, 5:00 p.m.
MCORMOND DR SB CLOSED FROM BRIGHTON CIRCLE TO BRIGHTON COMMON
(Jersey barrier relocation)
Start: October 4, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 7:00 a.m.
BALTZAN BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM HORNER CRES TO ORBAN WAY
(Service connections)
Start: October 25, 7:00 a.m. End: November 8, 6:00 p.m.
22ND ST E EB CURB & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM AUDITORIUM AVE TO 1ST AVE S
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 11, 7:00 a.m. End: November 30, 4:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: December 15, 4:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Seasonal decoration installation on city streets and bridges begins November 1
October 31, 2023 - 2:00pm
- 2nd Avenue – Sunday, November 5 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Broadway Bridge – Tuesday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- University Bridge – Wednesday, November 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Saskatoon Light & Power will be putting up seasonal decorations on city streets and bridges starting November 1. Work will impact traffic in the following areas:
Due to the time it takes to install seasonal decorations, work needs to start early. Decorations will not be turned on until after November 11.
These will be moving work zones and will impact traffic in both directions. Drivers are reminded to slow down in work zones and be respectful of workers.