The search is on for Canada's greatest animal, and seven furry, or feathered, favourites are in the running.


To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday and highlight the need for conservation, the Calgary Zoo is re-opening the debate on Canada's greatest animal and are asking if the beaver, Canada's national animal since 1975, still deserves the title.

The Senior Director at the Calgary Zoo Lindsey Galloway says "It's a fun campaign that we hope will kick-start a celebration of the wonderful Canadian species that are so important to our national identity and raise awareness of the serious challenges they face in the wild."

The seven candidates to be chosen from have been dubbed the "Eh! Team."  They are, the intrepid grizzly bear, the graceful whooping crane, the high plains drifting bison, the upwardly mobile mountain goat, the dashing grey wolf, the wise grey owl and, the incumbent, the dam beaver.  

If Airdronians we asked are any indication, the vote will be close one.  12 year old Noah said the mountain goat.  Why?  "Because they're awesome."  His seven year old brother Jude picked the grizzly bear, although he wasn't too sure why.  

Two grown ups also couldn't agree.  Malora said, "I choose the grey owl, because it's wise," before breaking into fits of laughter.  Tom picked the grey wolf because, "there's something beautiful about an animal with grey hair."  He also laughed as he walked away.  

The only duplicate answer we received was from Patricia, who agreed with Jude on the grizzly bear.  She said it was because, "they were such majestic animals, and I love grizzly bears."

The Eh! Team only includes seven species but the zoo says it's represents Canada's rich and diverse wildlife, many of which need help.  521 species are at risk under the Species at Risk Act with 63 species living in Alberta and 12 of them found only in the province.

Voting for Canada's Greatest Animal opened up this week and the winner will be announced May 19th.  You can cast a ballot for your choice at www.calgaryzoo.com/greatestanimal 

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