Oaklawn Farm Zoo
1007 Ward rd. B0P 1C0 Aylesford, NS, Canada

**Closed for the season November 15 Hunter, the African Lion, is exhausted from all the work of preparing for today’s opening! As we open our doors today for the season please note that there are a lot of Covid Safety changes in place. This year we are a Touch free zoo.... no pony rides, no corn feeders, no bear feeding, no petting the goats or deer. Our gift shop is closed indefinitely as is our Reptile Ranch. Our paths are signed to indicate one directional flow. Actual n...umber of people admitted on site depends upon the flow of visitors through the park. If there seems to be a backlog as people slowly move through and maintain social distancing we may need to delay the next admission to maintain spacing. Maximum group size allowed is 8 people, and all must stay together. There is NO Public Big Cat feed this season. We are still selling season passes and gift cards. For pass prices see below. We will take cash but would prefer plastic please. Please strictly adhere to the guidelines. We reserve the right to bar visitors who insist on violating the safety guidelines from the park for the duration of the government bans. We are open 10am to 5 pm (last admission at 4pm). Remember..... stay one lion length away from any other group! Day Passes Adults - $9.50 Students - $5.00 Seniors (60yrs+) - $6.50 Children (3-12yrs) - $3.50 2yrs and under - free Tax included in price Season Passes Adult - $30 Student/Senior - $18 Child - $12 Adult Couple - $56 Family of 3 - $67 Family of 4 - $78 Family of 5 - $89 Family of 6 - $100 Family of 7 + - $112 Tax included in price

The lions are not the only residents who have benefited from recycled Christmas trees. They get shared and enjoyed by may... such as the foxes.

This year’s Holiday season may be done but the excitement of Christmas continues here. We recycle Christmas trees as enrichment. Sterk, the African Lion, seems to think that they’re as good as catnip for rolling in. . Thanks to those who have donated! Video credit to Maria.

Happy New Year!!! All the best from our home to yours for a Healthy Happy 2021!! Who do you most resemble? A. The Emus who take every opportunity to bathe, primp and prep for parties while maintaining no social distance. B. Sterk, the African Lion, who maintains a healthy personal space and watches forward with a bit of skeptism and Hope that 2021 is a more normal year. Or C... like the African Porcupines who have their quills up and back turned... ready to make sure ...that nothing sneaks up from behind. Stay the Blazes Home and for a more normal season for 2021. See more

From our house to yours... Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and all the Best for a Healthy and Happy New Year! Without doubt 2020 is a year to remember. Thank you to each and everyone of you that has been here to help and support us as needed. . Sterk, the African Lion, says we are not lion when we say that although this Christmas may feel a little unusual we hope that everyone still respects the social distancing recommendations so that we may get back to a more normal way of life for 2021. Merry Christmas to All!!!

Oaklawn Farm Zoo’s Snow Removal Team has the shovels out and are perfecting their techniques. We be lion if we said that NneNne is the best snow shoveler but with Sterk and Nyah accompanying her to make sure she gets paid appropriately who’s going to argue . Maria May have needed to touch up Nnenne’s work to make it acceptable. As people start to focus more on family time for Christmas we’ve had lots of calls for gift cards. With the growing Covid numbers again and ...the potential for more shut downs we’ve decided to re-open our on-line store for the purchase of gift cards which can be redeemed for season passes, canteen and gift shop. Our gift cards have no expiry date and make great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers for animal lovers. Please check our our online store for gift card purchases. ... https://oaklawn-farm-zoo.myshopify.com/

As winter approaches some of our more delicate residents, such as our Meerkats, have moved into their indoor heated winter housing. They were quite happy to be able to enjoy some post-Halloween treats as well!!

Little Girl, the Raccoon, enjoyed her Halloween treats! With Halloween gone and the time change done we enter the final stretch of our open season. Our hours have now changed to 10am to 4pm with last gate admission of 3pm. At this point our last planned open day of this season is November 15. Great video caught by zookeeper Madison.

Sterk and Nnenne, the African Lions, were caught enjoying some father-daughter time by Maria last week. As people start to focus more on family time for Christmas we’ve had lots of calls for gift cards. With the growing Covid numbers again and the potential for more shut downs we’ve decided to re-open our on-line store for the purchase of gift cards which can be redeemed for season passes, canteen and gift shop. Our gift cards have no expiry date and make great Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers for animal lovers. Please check our our online store for gift card purchases. ... https://oaklawn-farm-zoo.myshopify.com/

Our African lions have always loved this time of year for the pumpkins! Although, this pumpkin seems particularly heavy as NneNne tries to make off with it for herself

That look!! NneNne, the African Lion, poses for a picture by Maria. What would you say is on her mind? How would you caption this? Reminder to all... we are still open everyday until mid November. 10 am to 5 pm with last gate admission at 4pm. Covid safety restrictions are still in place. (Don’t forget you mask for when you are indoors).

Please join us in wishing Nnenne, the African Lioness, a Happy 4th Birthday! My where does the time go?!? Most of you know that she was born here. Her mother failed to produce milk and we had to step in to help. Our pride is quite unique with their relationship to each other and their caretaker and so we were able to have her socialize with the other lions from a very young age. She and her older brother Hunter have always been best buddies. Enjoy these shots... starting with our beautiful girl today... and others from our book of favourites.

Hunter, the African Lion, is exhausted from all the work of preparing for today’s opening! As we open our doors today for the season please note that there are a lot of Covid Safety changes in place. This year we are a Touch free zoo.... no pony rides, no corn feeders, no bear feeding, no petting the goats or deer. Our gift shop is closed indefinitely as is our Reptile Ranch. Our paths are signed to indicate one directional flow. Actual number of people admitted on site dep...ends upon the flow of visitors through the park. If there seems to be a backlog as people slowly move through and maintain social distancing we may need to delay the next admission to maintain spacing. Maximum group size allowed is 8 people, and all must stay together. There is NO Public Big Cat feed this season. We are still selling season passes and gift cards. For pass prices see below. We will take cash but would prefer plastic please. Please strictly adhere to the guidelines. We reserve the right to bar visitors who insist on violating the safety guidelines from the park for the duration of the government bans. We are open 10am to 5 pm (last admission at 4pm). Remember..... stay one lion length away from any other group! Day Passes Adults - $9.50 Students - $5.00 Seniors (60yrs+) - $6.50 Children (3-12yrs) - $3.50 2yrs and under - free Tax included in price Season Passes Adult - $30 Student/Senior - $18 Child - $12 Adult Couple - $56 Family of 3 - $67 Family of 4 - $78 Family of 5 - $89 Family of 6 - $100 Family of 7 + - $112 Tax included in price

Nyah, the African Lioness, is keeping her eyes open and is admiring the hard work of all our zookeepers. We are offering up a toast to our zookeepers and zookeepers worldwide on this International Zookeeper Day! Our hats go off to all keepers who put care for the animals above themselves everyday. Being a zookeeper is more than scooping up animal waste. It is more than spending time with cuddly critters. It is more than putting on a show for a crowd's entertainment. Been a... Animal Keeper is about realizing the significance of the lives of animals and doing everything in your power to protect them. It is educating the public on the importance of endangered animal conservation. It is taking care of the animals providing them with a happy and healthy lifestyle. This is what zookeepers work for everyday. THANK YOU for all your dedication! Photo credit to zookeeper Maria

Hunter, the African Lion, appears to glow in the morning sun in this photo capture by Maria. It’s not too late to visit for yourself... we are still open everyday until mid November. All Covid-19 safety restrictions are still in place. Don’t forget your mask for the admission building and any indoor locations.

Wishing all the best of this Thanksgiving Weekend to you and yours from all of us and ours. 2020 is a year to remember and may not always have gone as planned but there is still so much to be thankful for. Photo capture by Maria.

Junia, the Jaguar, is rocking the fall colours! This old lady turned 21 this year and is as beautiful as ever! Reminder to all... we are still open everyday until mid November. 10 am to 5 pm with last gate admission at 4pm. Covid safety restrictions are still in place. (Don’t forget you mask for when you are indoors). Photo capture by Maria

Sophie, the Canadian Lynx is looking stellar against the blue background in this pic that was captured by Maria. Reminder to all... we are still open everyday through to mid November. Masks are required in our gift building, our gift shop and washrooms but are not necessary while walking around in site when social distancing is maintained.

Just in time for fall and people starting to talk about Halloween.... the Fallow Deer buck looks like he’s out of a horror movie. Don’t worry! He’s fine. This is completely normal. Unlike the horns on goats or cows which are permanent, deer grow antlers that are shed and regrow every year. Throughout the summer the antlers are covered with a soft velvet and good blood supply to nourish the growing bone. As we enter fall the antlers harden, the blood supply to them stops and ...the velvet is shed. This can be a bloody procedure. The bucks run their antlers against trees and bushes to remove the velvet. They then often eat the shed velvet to reclaim valuable protein. After a day or two the antlers will be clean and no longer bloody and the bucks will be ready for sparring during the fall rut (breeding season). After breeding season is done the antlers are shed. In the spring they start to grow again as part of the annual cycle. Photo credit to Cooper’s Painting for this great shot! See more

Mother Lion Maria has a message for everyone.... Some changes at the zoo as of yesterday! Admission Building is open for admissions and gift shop only Reptile Ranch will remain closed until further notice. This means customers a REQUIRED to wear MASKS when paying admissions or browsing in the gift shop. Admissions and gift shop will be moved outside on weekends until the weather changes.

These guys are proud to say that they’d never be caught lion’ . Without doubt the most frequent question we’ve been asked this week is are we still open. The answer is YES. We are open today and everyday until mid November. Same hours. Same admission. Same Covid rules. Hope to see you here.

Shannon, the White-handed Gibbon, juvenile was captured demonstrating how gibbons walk by zookeeper Nichole. Did you know... When gibbons walk, whether along branches or in the rare instances when they descend to the ground in the wild, they often do so on two feet, throwing their arms above their head for balance. They are the most bipedal of all non-human primates and are often studied for clues to what evolutionary pressures may have led to human walking.

When you’re having a good stretch and some nail care and then suddenly realize that you are being watched..... NneNne, the African Lion,’s facial expressions are priceless!!! Nail care is essential for all cats, big and small. Most people are used to seeing cats scratching with their front paws but have you ever wondered about their hind nails.... now you know how the lions take care of them too! Video by Maria.

Nnenne, the African Lion, is beautiful, without doubt. But what do you think of this look? Is she pure innocence or is she up to no good and planning her next move? Photo capture by Maria.

Another year has passed and it’s hard to believe how quickly time flies. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Sterk, the African Lion’s, first birthday. Today is his eighth birthday. Join us in wishing him well. . Happy Birthday Sterk!!!

Nnenne, the African Lioness, May not exactly be a morning creature.... what do you think? Are you like her and perhaps in need of your coffee before chatting with your fans?? Video courtesy of Maria.

Pictures can sometimes be misinterpreted. At first glance it may appear that the Boer Goats have bullied the Alpacas into the pond. The reality is that on warm days the Alpacas like to take to the water to cool off. Most of their body heat dissipation on hot days occurs from their bellies and legs so standing belly deep like this is how they cool off. They can also swim but prefer to wade on hot days.

NneNne, the African Lioness, is looking downright exhausted trying to keep up with all the Covid safety requirements. Many are inquiring about the wearing of masks. Masks are required for any indoor space... such as the washrooms. No need while walking around outside so long as social distancing. Thanks to everyone who has come out to support us and especially for following the guidelines to keep everyone safe. (Thanks to Maria for today’s pic)

Sun protection is very important during these crazy hot days. Zookeeper Laura has tried to set a good example and wear a hat to protect her head from the sun. Monkey, the Goffin Cockatoo, is pretty sure that the hat is a new enrichment item and needs to be played with instead. . Good job Laura!

Even when you’re all grown up... there are days when you just need a cuddle with your mom. NneNne and Nyah, the African lions were caught in this cuddle by Maria. * Please Note... our in-line store is temporarily Off-Line. For purchase of gift cards please call us directly at 902-847-9790 to inquire. Thanks!

We’ve had an increasing number of calls, messages and incidents.... our policy has always been... and continues to be No Pets Allowed. This is for the health and safety of our creatures and yours. Please leave your pets at home. Leaving them in hot cars in our parking lot is not acceptable either. Thanks for understanding.

Our Llama family grew by one yesterday. Did you know.... A cria (from Spanish for "baby") is the name for a baby llama, alpaca, vicuña, or guanaco. Crias are typically born with all the females of the herd gathering around, in an attempt to protect against the male llamas and potential predators. Llamas give birth standing. Birth is usually quick and problem-free, over in less than 30 minutes. Most births take place between 8 am and noon, during the warmer daylight hours. This may increase cria survival by reducing fatalities due to hypothermia during cold Andean nights.

We want to thank everyone who has been out to visit and who has respected our current safety restrictions. We just want to remind everyone about how important they are for the health and well being of all other visitors, our staff and all of our creatures. Research on Covid-19 is ongoing and more is being learned everyday. Please help us to keep all of our creatures safe and DO NOT visit if you or a family member are sick or have had contact with any suspected cases. . Thanks for helping us to keep everyone safe!

*We Are Open* As with all our previous years, now that we have opened to the public we are open Everyday (Holidays included). Covid safety guidelines remain in effect until further notice. Happy Canada Day!! Abby, the North American Raccoon, is Oaklawn’s version of the pandemic mascot! She likes to keep her distance, washes frequently! Please also see the attached update for clarification of some of our new Covid operation policy.

*We are open Canada Day* Sonny and Cher, the African Crowned Cranes are enjoying their bigger enclosure. Did you know.... The crowned crane has a breeding display involving dancing, bowing, and jumping. It has a booming call which involves inflation of the red gular sac. It also makes a honking sound quite different from the trumpeting of other crane species. Both sexes dance, and immature birds join the adults. Dancing is an integral part of courtship, but also may be done at any time of the year.

Did Hunter, the African Lion, seem tired when you saw him? Perhaps it was because Maria wore him out with this very vigorous game of catch the rake.

Maria helps Hunter prepare to greet his admirers.... being well groomed is very important!! Some days the rake just isn’t good enough for his fancy hair.

Due to popular demand, we’ve set up a temporary outdoor gift shop. Please remember to keep your social distancing and browse with your eyes, not your hands.