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Moms, Dads and Kids is the Only |
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in Alberta. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please click on the Balloons to share your favorites with us!Discovery Wildlife Park - Innisfail, Alberta
For my birthday we decided to make it a family fun-finding day. We had only one rule: drive on new roads, see and do only new things. So, it was a back-roads adventure on the way to the Discovery Wildlife Park (DWP) located right in the heart of Innisfail, just blocks away from the MacDonald’s.
Upon entering, we were told to be sure to be at the main area for the Small Animal Show and the Raccoon Raffle was at noon. Spanky, the dog, and Darla, Buckwheat and Alfalfa, the skunks, started the entertainment with a Skunk Race.
Kelso the Raccoon was the star! At the end of the show he picked a colored ping pong ball that corresponded with a colored entrance ticket that we purchased upon entering the park. Prizes 
consisted of hot dogs, chips and lots of other cool things…but we happened to win the Grand Prize! Hurray! Not having any idea of what we had just won, DWP told us that we had a choice of a Camel Ride or Picture With a Bear.
Side note: This is the only place in the world one can see a Skunk Race and Raccoon Raffle!
So, meet Betty the Bear.She was Ava in Dr. Doolittle, co-starring Eddie Murphy; one of my favorite movies. When I showed our picture to the grandparents, they thought, “Why get your picture taken with a stuffed bear?” “No Mom, she’s real!” We were only a few feet away from her - with many 'bear handlers’ nearby. That was the 
coolest birthday present and my favorite part of the day…aside from sharing the adventure with my loved ones, of course!!!
One of the thing that was most evident was the care and pride that Doug, Debbie, and their team put into the facility and the animals. The grounds were immaculate and spacious - which Debbie tells me is great to let the kids explore - as they host groups of special needs children as well as school tours.
And what can you do or see here at DWP? The list is long and there’s not a dull moment. They have Camel Rides for young and old; you can also have your photo taken while riding between the humps of Clever the Camel. Hmm, I wonder how she got her name??
They have an orphan program where you can help by feeding the babies that have been deemed non-releasable by Fish & Wildlife officials and would have otherwise been put to sleep. They provide a second chance to life for so many.
Ruth LaBarge, who is world-renowned as an animal trainer and has over 40 years experience, puts a twist on the bear show: She teaches the kids (and I learned a few things too) about the do’s and don’ts when 
encountering bears and other wildlife. It’s very educational as well as entertaining.
Each of their bears has a unique personality and each of their “specialty acts” is taken from behaviors they already do and that come naturally to them, and have all been taught using positive reinforcement and NOT punishment.
Ruth LaBarge is quite a treasure to have in Alberta and is one of the number one trainers for the Movie Industry. She shares stories of how she taught them to do different acts or movements for the many movies and commercials that have used her services.
I just can’t believe it took me this long to make the stop into the Wildlife Discovery Park. Remember, they are open from May 1st until Thanksgiving and have a covered verandah, golf carts rentals, wagons, a parent’s room, and all are wheelchair accessible. It was a most enjoyable day and my family highly recommends the stop here. For more information:
Discovery Wildlife Park
Site 15, Box 8, RR#3
Innisfail, AB T4G 1T8
403.227.3211
dougszoo@dougszoo.com
Discovery Wildlife Park