April Fools’ Day 2025: House hippo at the Calgary Zoo, popstar inspires new name for YYC

April 1 is the day for jokes and some Calgary institutions resist getting in on the fun.

Here are some gags making the rounds in the city on Tuesday.

Calgary Zoo introduces new species

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo announced a new animal is joining the family — the North American house hippo.

Children of the 90s may remember the iconic miniature mammal for sleeping 16 hours a day and loving to snack on the crumbs from peanut butter toast.

The house hippo was a television staple, reminding kids not to believe everything they see on screens.

YYC changes name to honour local popstar

The Calgary International Airport decided it was time to announce it’s latest change, and what better day than April 1!

To honour local pop superstar Tate McRae, YYC says it will now be named Tate McRae International Airport (TMI).

“Tate put us on the map, so we’re putting her on the terminal,” the airport said on social media.

SAIT to offer adult summer camps

Everyone needs a break sometimes, and what better way to chill out than summer camp?

Calgary’s Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) announced Tuesday it is offering adults summer camps for the first time this year.

The events are available for adults age 18 to 99.

Hot lunches and before and after care are also available, so there’s no stress.

Want to learn a bit while you’re there? The school is offering courses like Money Masters, Chemistry Creations: Lotions and Potions, Healthy Kitchen Creations, Exploring Forensics, Adulting 101, and Gear Heads (where you get to play with Lego).

WestJet presents new way to share vacation selfies

Want to make sure everyone really knows how great your trip was?

WestJet’s new product, Vacation Flex, allows travellers to put their vacay shots on a billboard.

“It’s not cringy, it’s cool,” the Calgary-based airline quips in a social media advertisement.