Elmvale Jungle Zoo, Wildlife park in Springwater, Canada

Elmvale Jungle Zoo is a wildlife park in Springwater featuring around 300 animals from multiple continents in naturalistic enclosures. Visitors walk through shaded paths that wind through different habitat zones where creatures from South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia roam in settings designed to reflect their native environments.

The park started in 1967 as a small reptile and bird facility before the Persi family acquired it in 1972. Under their stewardship, it expanded significantly from its humble beginning into the larger wildlife park that operates today.

The zoo is a seasonal business, open from the Victoria Day weekend until the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, so school groups come during the late-spring and early-fall terms. In June alone it receives 150 school field trips, making it a regular stop for classes from the Barrie area and across Ontario.

Plan your visit on clear days when animals are most active and visible throughout the grounds. Comfortable walking shoes and plenty of water help make the experience more enjoyable since much of the park requires walking between different animal areas.

The zoo began in 1967 on just 2 acres, showing mainly reptiles and birds. Sam Persi's family bought it in 1972, and the grounds now cover 25 acres holding over 300 animals from South America, Australia, Africa and Asia. It sits about 20 minutes north of Barrie, near Elmvale.