This recent stretch of unseasonably above-average temperatures in Kamloops is being cited as a factor behind a near-record turnout to the BC Wildlife Park on Monday, as the Nature Park and Zoo hits its mid-way point today in the annual Wildlights event.

Temperatures — thanks to a recent push of sub-tropical air which as been pushed up from the south coast over the past couple of weeks — were hovering around 4 to 5 degrees above freezing for the throngs of people who packed the east Kamloops facility on Monday.

“We had 2,636 guests come through the Park last [Monday] night, which was our second best night we’ve ever had,” noted Wildlife Park General Manager Glenn Grant.  “Last year we had one night with around thirty-one hundred [3,129].  Strangely enough, it also fell on [December] the 23^rd.”

Since its launch on December 13th, the 2024 version — including Monday evening — has drawn in nearly 16,000 [15,856] people.

That would set the Park on a path toward the record it surpassed last holiday season for visitor numbers, which came in at 28,090 over 23 days.

Grant says this year’s visitors include the regular mix of attendees, but suggests the warmer weather has also prompted a few more “out-of-towners” to make journey.

“It’s a good cross-range of all demographics, of all ages,” said Grant.  “I think we’re drawing from the outlying areas of Kamloops a lot more.  Because of better weather, people don’t mind driving a little further.  We are brining in people from Salmon Arm, Vernon, Clearwater, Merritt…”

On top of the different things the Wildlife Park has offered up this year, including the 30 foot high Christmas tree, on top of the “Flintstone mobile,” Grant notes some of their latest editions to the animal roster are also a timely winter draw.

“Because it is still a Wildlife Park, one great feature this year is we have a couple of baby Woodland Caribou,” noted Grant.  “We’re feeding them every night at 6 o’clock.”

Grant notes the continued support of Wildlights helps keep the baby Caribou and the rest of the animals fed and warm.

“When we have the numbers like we’ve been having [for Wildlights], it generates revenue for us to get into Spring Break,” noted Grant.  “Once Wildlights closes, we’ve still got to run the Park.  We’ve got to pay staff.”

Running until January 5th, and stopping down only on Christmas Day, the Wildlights event at the BC Wildlife Park is a winter life-line for the Zoo.

This year’s event — with hours running from 4pm to 9pm — is being put on for an additional, 24th day this year.

On top of the animals and the Flintstone-themed attractions this holiday, the BC Wildlife Park continues to run its Wildlife Express Train through the grounds over the holidays.

It remains operational, despite a similar train operating out of Vancouver’s Stanley Park being shut down again this holiday season, to the disappointment of thousands there.