Al Oeming’s Alberta Game Farm was one of Canada’s most ambitious and significant wildlife conservation projects, founded by the passionate zoologist, adventurer, and conservationist Albert "Al" Oeming in 1959. Located near Sherwood Park, just outside Edmonton, Alberta, the game farm spanned 1,200 acres of grasslands and forests, offering a vast and natural setting for the animals in its care. Oeming’s mission was to create a sanctuary where endangered and exotic species could live and breed safely, while also providing a unique opportunity for the public to learn about wildlife. His game farm quickly became a hub for both education and conservation, attracting visitors from all over North America and even internationally.
Oeming’s fascination with wildlife began early in life. He grew up exploring nature and had a deep love for animals, a passion that would guide his life’s work. After serving in World War II, Oeming pursued a degree in zoology, studying at the University of Alberta. He traveled the world, learning from prominent wildlife conservationists and scientists. It was during these travels that he realized the urgent need to protect endangered species, and this fueled his desire to establish a facility where he could help preserve rare animals. The Alberta Game Farm was born out of this vision—a sanctuary where Oeming could apply his knowledge to the conservation and breeding of endangered animals.
From its inception, the Alberta Game Farm was more than just a zoo. It became one of the leading centers for wildlife conservation in North America, housing over 3,000 animals from more than 200 species at its peak. The diversity of species was staggering, ranging from big cats like lions, tigers, and cheetahs, to birds of prey such as hawks and falcons, and large mammals like bison and bears. Oeming had a particular fondness for big cats, especially cheetahs, and his game farm was one of the few places in the world to successfully breed them in captivity. He also played a significant role in the conservation of the Siberian tiger, an endangered species, by establishing breeding programs that contributed to the global effort to save these majestic animals from extinction.
The game farm’s success was not limited to its breeding programs. Oeming understood the power of education and believed that the key to conservation lay in public awareness and appreciation of wildlife. To this end, he created a variety of outreach programs aimed at educating people, especially children, about the importance of protecting animals and their habitats. Oeming’s educational philosophy was rooted in the idea that people needed to see and experience wildlife up close to truly appreciate it. He was known for his traveling wildlife shows, where he would bring animals—most famously his pet cheetah, Tawana—on tour across Canada and the United States. These shows were an incredible spectacle, with Oeming demonstrating the speed and agility of the cheetah, while also delivering a powerful message about the need for conservation.
Oeming’s travels with Tawana made him a household name, and the shows were not only entertaining but also deeply educational. Oeming used the cheetah’s natural abilities to capture the audience’s attention, and then he would segue into discussions about habitat loss, poaching, and the plight of endangered species. His tours took him to schools, auditoriums, and even television programs, where he would continue to spread his message of wildlife preservation. His engaging style and deep knowledge of animals made him an effective advocate, and for many, seeing Oeming and Tawana was their first introduction to the idea that humans had a responsibility to protect the natural world. These efforts helped foster a broader awareness of conservation issues during a time when environmental concerns were just beginning to gain traction in public discourse.
One of the hallmarks of the Alberta Game Farm was its cutting-edge approach to wildlife management. Oeming worked closely with scientists and universities, allowing researchers to study the animals in his care. The farm became a site for important zoological research, particularly in the fields of animal behavior, breeding, and genetics. Oeming’s pioneering work in the breeding of endangered species, especially his efforts with cheetahs and Siberian tigers, garnered attention from wildlife experts around the world. His dedication to species survival helped lay the groundwork for modern breeding programs that continue to play a crucial role in conservation today.
Despite the Alberta Game Farm’s many successes, it faced challenges as societal attitudes toward zoos and the treatment of animals began to change. By the 1980s, growing concerns about animal welfare, combined with financial difficulties, started to impact the farm. The public’s perception of keeping exotic animals in captivity was shifting, with an increasing focus on animal rights and the need for more naturalistic environments for wildlife. At the same time, the cost of running such a large facility was becoming overwhelming. Oeming, who had invested much of his personal fortune into the game farm, struggled to keep it financially viable. The costs of feeding and caring for thousands of animals were immense, and without sufficient funding, the future of the farm became uncertain.
In the mid-1980s, Al Oeming made the difficult decision to close the Alberta Game Farm. Many of the animals were relocated to other zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, while others were reintroduced to the wild where possible. Although the game farm closed its doors, Oeming’s contributions to wildlife conservation did not go unnoticed. His work in breeding endangered species and raising public awareness about the need for conservation left a lasting impact. Even after the farm’s closure, Oeming continued to be involved in wildlife conservation efforts and remained an advocate for the protection of endangered species.
Al Oeming’s legacy as a wildlife conservationist and educator continues to inspire. His Alberta Game Farm was a pioneering endeavor that brought the plight of endangered species to the forefront of public consciousness. His innovative breeding programs and educational outreach helped pave the way for future conservation efforts, and his ability to connect with people and inspire them to care about wildlife made him a beloved figure in Canada and beyond. Today, Oeming’s work is remembered not only for the animals he helped save but also for the generations of people he inspired to become advocates for the natural world. The Alberta Game Farm may be gone, but its spirit of conservation lives on in the ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the planet’s most vulnerable species. Oeming’s life and work stand as a testament to the power of one person’s passion and dedication to make a difference in the world of wildlife conservation.