 In its first 80 days of operation, the park drew in 7,000 people before it was closed to the public for the winter season.A year later, on May 20, 1967, the children's zoo was officially opened by Phil Gaglardi in the presence of North Kamloops mayor Jack Chilton, alderman Gene Cavazzi representing Kamloops, society president, Gordon Simons, founder John Moeleart, and 500 spectators who attended the Victoria Day event.After the event, the BC Wildlife Park received wide media attention from the "Vancouver Sun" and "The Province", which caused provincial tour buses to include the park on their itinerary and school buses brought students for free visits coming from as far as Victoria to visit the park.