点评:If I could give the Elmvale Zoo more than 5 stars, I absolutely would.
The BEST zoo in Ontario. Hands. Down.
Seriously, this is one of those places you leave and immediately find yourself talking about. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you.
I came here completely last minute with my boyfriend’s family, not really knowing what to expect. I’ve only ever been to the Toronto Zoo, so I assumed this would be a much smaller experience.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
This 👏 zoo 👏 is 👏 incredible.
The entire place is beautifully laid out, easy to navigate, very accessible, and most of the pathways are shaded, which makes exploring so comfortable even on a warmer day. The variety of animals honestly surprised me, and so many of the exhibits allow you to get incredibly close in such a special way.
Feeding the giraffes, goats, and pigs was something I’ll never forget. There are so many opportunities throughout the zoo to safely interact with the animals and create memories you simply don’t get at most places. I also loved seeing hand-washing stations available at every feeding area — such a thoughtful touch!
But what made this visit truly unforgettable wasn’t just the animals. It was the people behind them.
Because the zoo is outside the city, I had almost no cell service… which was honestly refreshing. Everyone in the zoo was disconnected from their phones and completely connected to their families, and the animal exhibits. Ironically, a bunch of important work calls all came through at once, and I desperately needed to get in touch with my team but couldn’t.
I asked if there happened to be Wi-Fi available, and instead of simply saying they didn’t know the password, a staff member went above and beyond. She brought us into the office and kindly let me use their landline to make the calls I needed.
Afterward, I thanked her and told her how amazed I was by the zoo. That’s when I found out she was Michelle, the owner.
We ended up talking for over ten minutes about animals, life, and sharing plenty of laughs. Within minutes, it was obvious this isn’t just a business to her — it’s her life’s work. She grew up here, knows every single animal personally, and genuinely loves them all. They truly are her babies.
As an incredibly generous surprise, Michelle gave my boyfriend and I complimentary feeding baskets so we could enjoy even more of the animal interactions. It was such an unexpected act of kindness, but what stood out most was seeing how passionate she is about creating lifelong memories for every family that walks through those gates.
That kind of care is rare.
Something else I think deserves to be shared is the reason the zoo doesn’t allow outside food for feeding the animals. At first, I didn’t know the reasoning behind the policy, but after learning more, I completely understood and respected it.
The animals’ diets are carefully monitored, and the feeding baskets are specifically prepared to be safe, chemical- and pesticide-free, with carefully controlled quantities. They are distributed throughout the zoo so that every animal — not just the giraffes — receives proper nutrition.
That isn’t a cash grab. That is responsible animal care.
After hearing the thought, effort, and love behind it, I have nothing but respect for that decision. (They allow you to bring your own food for you & your humans! And, have tons of picnic areas!)
Throughout the day, we kept running into Michelle and other family members checking on the animals, chatting with guests, and making everyone feel welcome. We even took photos together before we left.
That level of genuine care and connection is something you simply don’t find often anymore.
You can feel the love that has been poured into every corner of this place. The habitats are thoughtfully designed, the animals are happy, active, and clearly adored, and the entire zoo has such a warm, family atmosphere that it’s impossible not to smile while you’re there.
Hi Charlie!!! 🦜
This wasn’t just a day at the zoo — it was one of the most unexpectedly wholesome and memorable experiences I’ve had in a long time.
Thank you, Michelle, for your kindness, your generosity, and for sharing your beautiful home and incredible animals with all of us. We can’t wait to come back, and we’ll be recommending Elmvale Zoo to everyone we know.
Some places are worth visiting…
Elmvale Zoo is worth experiencing.
翻译:如果我可以给埃尔姆维尔动物园超过5颗星的评分,我绝对会这么做。
安大略省最棒的动物园,毫无争议。
说真的,这是那种你离开后立刻就会跟别人津津乐道的地方。这种体验会让人久久难忘。
我是临时决定和男朋友的家人一起来这里的,其实心里也没什么预期。我之前只去过多伦多动物园,所以原以为这里的规模会小得多。
结果我大错特错。这个👏动物园👏简直太棒了!
整个园区布局合理、易于游览,无障碍设施也很完善。大部分步道都有遮阴处,因此即使在天气较热的时候游览也十分舒适。这里的动物种类之多着实让我惊讶不已,而且许多展区都让游客能以一种特别的方式近距离接触动物。
喂长颈鹿、山羊和猪的经历,是我永远都不会忘记的。在动物园里,有很多机会可以安全地与动物互动,留下在别处难以获得的美好回忆。我尤其喜欢每个饲养区都设有洗手台的设计——真是贴心至极!
不过,让这次参观真正令人难忘的并非仅仅是那些动物,而是照顾它们的工作人员。
由于动物园位于城外,我的手机信号几乎为零……说实话,这种体验反倒让人心旷神怡。动物园里的每个人都放下了手机,全身心地与家人们以及动物展品互动。具有讽刺意味的是,此时一连串重要的工作电话接踵而至,我急切地想要联系我的团队,却怎么也做不到。
我询问那里是否有无线网络可用。那位工作人员并没有只是简单地回答“不知道密码”,而是尽心尽力地帮了我。她带我们进入办公室,还热心地让我使用他们的固定电话来拨打所需的电话。
之后,我向她表示感谢,并告诉她自己对这座动物园印象有多深刻。就在那时,我才知道她就是动物园的主人米歇尔。
我们聊了十多分钟,话题涉及动物、生活,期间笑声不断。没过多久我就意识到,对她而言这不仅仅是一份事业——这便是她毕生致力于的事业。她在这里长大,与每一只动物都熟识,真心挚爱着它们。它们真的就像是她的宝贝一样。
作为一份极其贴心的惊喜,米歇尔还送给我和我的男朋友免费的喂食篮,让我们能更多地与动物互动。这份善意真是出乎意料,而最令我感动的是,她全心全意地希望为每一位走进这里的家庭创造终生难忘的回忆。
这样的关怀实在难能可贵。还有一点我觉得值得分享:动物园为何不允许游客自带食物来喂动物。起初我不明白这项规定的缘由,但在深入了解之后,我完全理解了并尊重这一规定。
动物园会对动物的饮食进行严格监控,喂食用的食物也都是经过专门准备的——它们不含任何化学物质或农药,且分量也经过精确控制。这些食物被分发到动物园的各个角落,以确保每只动物——不仅仅是长颈鹿——都能获得适当的营养。
这并非为了敛财,而是负责任的动物养护方式。
在了解了这一举措背后的用心、努力与爱心之后,我对这个决定只有敬意。(他们允许游客自带食物给自己和家人享用!而且园内有大量的野餐区哦!)
一整天里,我们不断遇到米歇尔和其他家庭成员,他们都在悉心照料着动物,还与游客们愉快交谈。让每个人都感受到宾至如归的体验。离开前,我们甚至还一起合了影。
这种发自内心的关怀与温情,如今真的越来越难遇到了。
你能感受到这片地方的每一个角落都倾注着满满的爱意。动物栖息地设计得十分用心,动物们也快乐又活跃,显然深受呵护。整个动物园洋溢着温馨的家庭氛围,置身其中,你怎么可能不露出笑容呢。
嗨,查理!!这可不只是一次普通的动物园之旅——它堪称我许久以来经历过的最温馨、最令人难忘的体验之一。
感谢米歇尔,感谢你的善良与慷慨,感谢你让我们所有人都能参观你美丽的家园以及那些可爱的动物们。我们迫不及待想再回来,也一定会向所有认识的人推荐埃尔姆维尔动物园。
有些地方确实值得一去……
埃尔姆维尔动物园就是这样一个值得体验的好地方。