Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2022

[cypher]

The zoo is looking for bids in redeveloping the Zoo APP. It's good to see that this is happening. It's long over do.


https://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/2022/RFQ 19 (2022-08 ) MOVE ZOO APP.pdf

 

[TZFan]

How long have we been begging for a zoo app? Talk to us zoo! We have ideas! No ability to make our ideas happen but we have great ideas.

 

[cypher]

It's be neat if they setup up either an email or a section on the site where people can take a survey to gauge with the public on seeing what they would like to see. That's still a possibility, but I doubt it'll happen.

The Technology Master Plan was pretty indepth. In accordance with the Technology Master Plan the first thing they'll work on is the Interactive Map. After that they'll work on Animal Directory + Donation, an Audio Guide, Augmented Reality, Digital Tickets & Memberships, and a Conservation component.

It'll be interesting to see the end result, and how it all fits together.

 

[bubblywums]

That's great to hear they're looking to invest in an app. I'd love to be able to get into the park with just my phone for example.

Unrelated, I was curious if anyone had any info on when the zoo might resume keeper talks. It's been so long since they've been gone, and seeing the penguins out made me miss the talks more.

 

[Zooer]

We took some out-of-town family to the zoo yesterday, so just have three little updates:

1) Meerkats - the meerkats were out - but the porcupine was just behind the scene and they looked interested in each other


2) Year of the tiger - I don’t know how new these are - but first time I noticed the signs by the Sumatran tigers to identify each of them which I think is neat


3) Orangutans - you’re definitely allowed outside - the workers waved at us from the site (and not a ‘what on earth are you doing here’ wave). What surprised me most was that there were workers there at all on a Sunday!

Because we were there with family we managed to spend a fortune on every add-on there is - but it was the first time I went up the gorilla climb. It’s actually pretty high and intricate!

 

[cypher]

I like the new signage that identifies the animals with their names. It let visitors build that extra connection with the animals. I hope we see more of this in and around the zoo. Especially for the large mammals that people tend to want to spend time watching.

 

[hyena142]

I've always been surprised that the great apes are the only ones with signage indicating who's who, if I had it my way every exhibit would have one of those. It'd be a great way to get kids excited about the zoo by letting them build more personal relationships with the animals.

 

[Akula]

Well After a few months of not being able to get out to the Zoo I finally got there!

Started off with a nice trek through Eurasia. Got to see all three amur tigers. But big news is they are starting off with the expansion of their exhibit. I believe they were making the marking today. I will post pictures in the Toronto Zoo Media folder. Other than that Eurasia was quite quiet. Only one red panda out. The Breeding 3 camels were all together, but I couldn't find the other 3 of them. Also Pemba was way out of sight but it's understandable for a snow leopard to be seeking shade on a scorching hot day. But after a string of bad luck and not being able to see bailey, I finally got to see him, a very rare sighting. Then, I did the Australasia pavilion and nothing big was happening. But I only saw one wombat which I do wonder where the other one was. Then off to Tundra trek. 0 bears in sight but I saw one caribou and 2 wolves. They really need to fill some of the exhibit. It looks embarrassing and sad. Then straight up to Africa. Firstly, the penguins are back out but the down stairs is closed off. Nice to see them back out enjoying the sun. Then the rest was same old same old. Watusi were out, one hyena and the 3 lions and 3 eland boys. But I also only saw 2 zebras looked like Rey and Tori, but who knows? The cheetahs were way at the back of the exhibit. Then, the white rhinos... Tom was eating alone until Sabi walked by and boy oh boy he was interested. he quickly followed her and tried to pull a few moves, the little campers were losing their damn minds!!!!! But then Sabi turned after a few tries and shooed him off, But then Tom tried his chances with Zohari but she was much more tolerant and even willing to share food with him. Tom Must be noted that Zohari did look a little bit wider than Sabi but it could just be her natural size no way to find out until fall-winterish. Then off to the giraffes and hippos since the Kudu were out of sight. Oh yeah Also speaking of giraffes the transport crate has been brought out and is sitting in the back area next to the rhino barn. So Kiko might just be leaving soon especially since he was again not with the family. The hippo barn is being renovated hence why the giraffes were not outside today. Basically after that I just headed for the Indo pavilion. Which where I heard that there is a new gibbon hence why Holly was sitting by the door to the inside bts area. That was my day at the zoo. Feel free to comment or ask any questions.

 

[hyena142]

If you're right and they're starting plans for the Amur expansion that's incredibly exciting. Definitely an exhibit that needs it.

I've been trying to catch Bailey all year, congrats on doing what I haven't been able to! Same with the wombats, been striking out with them all year.

2 zebras has been consistent with my visits over the last little while, I couldn't tell you which of the girls is missing as they all look the same to me but it's definitely odd. I doubt they'd be breeding Lori with Jake again when we still need to send the kids away but stranger things have happened.

Unless the trademark TZ "slow and steady wins the race" nature strikes again Kiko will probably be moved out by the end of the year.

Thanks for the update and the gibbon news!

 

[Hyak_II]

Glad to hear the giraffe crate is out, there's set to be a giraffe swap at some point in the near future, and I'm willing to bet it will be in late september/early october once the weather has cooled down a bit.

 

[AJ the TZ Guy]

Anyone have any idea if there's going to be another new octopus coming or if the lobster is a permanent replacement?

 

[Van Beal]

If you're right and they're starting plans for the Amur expansion that's incredibly exciting. Definitely an exhibit that needs it.

I've been trying to catch Bailey all year, congrats on doing what I haven't been able to! Same with the wombats, been striking out with them all year.

2 zebras has been consistent with my visits over the last little while, I couldn't tell you which of the girls is missing as they all look the same to me but it's definitely odd. I doubt they'd be breeding Lori with Jake again when we still need to send the kids away but stranger things have happened.

Unless the trademark TZ "slow and steady wins the race" nature strikes again Kiko will probably be moved out by the end of the year.

Thanks for the update and the gibbon news!

I've legitimately never been able to see the wombat, and I'm not sure what species Bailey is, but maybe I've seen Bailey before, I could be wrong!

 

[hyena142]

@Van Beal Bailey's a chamois, he's in an exhibit with a bit of rockwork in between the snow leopards and the sea eagles. He's super shy and he's the last of his species at the TZ likely for good so it's kinda hard to catch him out in the open

 

[Van Beal]

@Van Beal Bailey's a chamois, he's in an exhibit with a bit of rockwork in between the snow leopards and the sea eagles. He's super shy and he's the last of his species at the TZ likely for good so it's kinda hard to catch him out in the open

Oh okay, yeah I think I've seen him maybe once ever. Not recently though.

 

[TZFan]

@Van Beal, if you have seen a chamois in the past it is far more likely you saw Bailey's deceased companion Julie. She died earlier this year. She was the one who was more likely to be somewhere visible. Bailey has always liked his privacy where as she was more chill and came closer to people. If you get a chance to see him before he passes enjoy it because I believe Toronto is the last AZA zoo to house them. Other zoos in the US might but they will be the smaller zoos or private facilities.

You have poor timing or bad luck with the wombats. I have never not seen a wombat and I visit maybe once or twice a year. Now their exhibit mate Annie the echidna, I haven't seen her once since Edge of the Night closed other than in photos and videos. Not sure if this will help but I usually end up on that side of the zoo mid morning to noon. I like to hit the health unit when someone might be in for a check up. But since I am there at that time might help to gage when you can catch the wombats. Though someone who visits more might be able to help you dial it in better.

 

[Van Beal]

@Van Beal, if you have seen a chamois in the past it is far more likely you saw Bailey's deceased companion Julie. She died earlier this year. She was the one who was more likely to be somewhere visible. Bailey has always liked his privacy where as she was more chill and came closer to people. If you get a chance to see him before he passes enjoy it because I believe Toronto is the last AZA zoo to house them. Other zoos in the US might but they will be the smaller zoos or private facilities.

You have poor timing or bad luck with the wombats. I have never not seen a wombat and I visit maybe once or twice a year. Now their exhibit mate Annie the echidna, I haven't seen her once since Edge of the Night closed other than in photos and videos. Not sure if this will help but I usually end up on that side of the zoo mid morning to noon. I like to hit the health unit when someone might be in for a check up. But since I am there at that time might help to gage when you can catch the wombats. Though someone who visits more might be able to help you dial it in better.

Is there like a specific time you get to the wombats? Because usually when I go they are like one of the last enclosures I see (I start in Indo-Malaya and work the circuit clockwise from there) so maybe I'm going too late in the day to see the wombats.

 

[TZFan]

It varies for me. Usually between 10 and noon depending on what tickles my fancy that day. Normally I hop right on the zoomo and get off at Tundra Trek then maybe I do Eurasia and Australiasia or Tundra Trek, the Temple and Americas first. Then I visit the health unit and do the other half of that side of the zoo.

 

[Akula]

I always try to go for opening, since that's when the animals are normally most active. Besides that they are sleeping or seeking shade most of the time.

First I always do Eurasia or Tundra trek rarely Indo-Malaya, then I try to hits australasia, or Africa. then I will hop on the Zoomobile.

The benefits of going early are the animals are just waking up and are normally quite vocal. Vasili on a cool fall morning is always chuffing which gives Eurasia the Amur tiger wake up call. Also most of the animals are normally searching for food which leads to some very cool action shots and often its great to see the foraging behaviors.

The downfalls, sometimes the animals have not woken up yet or they are still inside waiting to be released. But for the most part most of them are out.

Personally I like going in fall the best as there are no screaming summer camps and the animals tend to be more active since the weather is much cooler. The winter is great for Eurasia and Tundra trek as all of the animals are very active. Spring is nice too but I find that some of the animals are still not out yet.

Is there like a specific time you get to the wombats? Because usually when I go they are like one of the last enclosures I see (I start in Indo-Malaya and work the circuit clockwise from there) so maybe I'm going too late in the day to see the wombats.

Try going Australasia first or possibly Tundra Trek or Eurasia then loop back to Australasia since they might be setting up the exhibit for the wombats but after that they are normally out foraging for food.

 

[Van Beal]

I always try to go for opening, since that's when the animals are normally most active. Besides that they are sleeping or seeking shade most of the time.

First I always do Eurasia or Tundra trek rarely Indo-Malaya, then I try to hits australasia, or Africa. then I will hop on the Zoomobile.

The benefits of going early are the animals are just waking up and are normally quite vocal. Vasili on a cool fall morning is always chuffing which gives Eurasia the Amur tiger wake up call. Also most of the animals are normally searching for food which leads to some very cool action shots and often its great to see the foraging behaviors.

The downfalls, sometimes the animals have not woken up yet or they are still inside waiting to be released. But for the most part most of them are out.

Personally I like going in fall the best as there are no screaming summer camps and the animals tend to be more active since the weather is much cooler. The winter is great for Eurasia and Tundra trek as all of the animals are very active. Spring is nice too but I find that some of the animals are still not out yet.



Try going Australasia first or possibly Tundra Trek or Eurasia then loop back to Australasia since they might be setting up the exhibit for the wombats but after that they are normally out foraging for food.

Okay thanks… next time I go I’ll take that into account

 

[Akula]

Okay thanks… next time I go I’ll take that into account

Definitely so worth it when the whole wolf pack is howling as they search for breakfast or when Mstari, Amani and Matumaini are doing laps around the outdoor paddock.