Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo discussions - animal names

[15399]

{Note from mods - this thread split from here: Toronto Zoo Developments 2024 [Toronto Zoo]}


I notice a lot in the Toronto part of the forum people only referring to animals by name, which can make it difficult for those of us who like to keep up with the zoo, but don't follow close enough to know every animals' name. It'd be great if all of us made a greater effort to include the species along with the name in the future.

It's not a big ask to add a few words to the post indicating what species an animal is, and would make this section of the forum much more accessible for all of us who don't know every single animal by name.

 

[Chlidonias]

I have seen posts multiple times in the Canada forums having to ask for qualification on which species was being mentioned (pretty sure I've done it myself before).

People (on all countries' forums) should be aware that threads aren't being read by, or of interest to, just the regular visitors of that zoo.

 

[15399]

This is a real problem in this section of the forum - some examples:

I have to wonder if Obi and Poe have been transferred out now that we're getting a new female zebra. Rey left for the Bronx way before we found out she was gone and she was way more prominent than Obi and Poe who spent most of their time in Toronto behind the scenes.

I think we can preemptively call it on Ramai. She's older and Budi has been with her for forever and nothing's come of it.

No shot they breed Zohari until the new arrival is grown up and outta here

Yes it sucks that Calgary wont just hand over Nabo. I get loving an animal and not wanting to lose them but at the end of the day he can have a much better genetic future in Toronto. He is a top ranked male paired with two top ranked females. Right now he has not breeding options. Moshi is his daughter and is a hybrid no one wants. Emarah seems unable to produce a surviving calf despite multiple attempts with multiple sires. Sure there is the new female coming up from the US and they probably want Toronto to send over Amani instead but overall the SSP made the best choice for the population. I get sentimentality but if you really care about what is best for the species you sometimes have to give up a cherished animal. And you are right Matu likely isnt going until his foot is healed but he is young and can wait. Nabo is getting on in years and moving him to breed and contribute now is more important.

Harvey has rarely taken long to get the job done when introduced to a female. He and Kindia if they have been together are probably already expecting a calf and the zoo just wont tell us until its closer to the due date if then. They might be cautious about the calf given the track record they have had with pygmy hippo calves since Harvey and Abou arrived. Penelope was our only survivor but Abou was cursed and the loss of Kindia's first boy was possibly an accident with a first time mom.

Wow that's dark. As for Henry I'm glad to see another year of him. He is my secound favourite Toronto zoo bird. Does the zoo house anything in the Amphibian Rescue Centre? I know there was a population of Wyoming Toads, are they still there and anything else?

Kalden will likely be coming to Toronto to be a companion for Sakura unless things have changed as they often do with transfers

Jita and Pemba were breeding quite a lot today. Keepers said they leave them out all night together as well. Things seem to be going quite well. Access to the polar bears was also blocked off today. They’re trying to test out if Juno and Hudson can be together to give them more options for display and not have Juno all by herself. They were doing construction at the front all day today and working hard on that area. There’s also now a sign outside of the red panda exhibit stating that Sakura is here and getting used to her surroundings and should be out on display shortly!

Kilat passed away as per the Toronto Zoo instagram. Super sad I loved going to see him in the pavillion

The Toronto Zoo also has some old members still remaining like Puppe, Charles, Jonah, Toka, and Thika, Monty maybe idk if he is still alive, Sekali, Shintay. I am kinda disappointed that we won't be able to celebrate out 50th anniversary with our elephants but we should still post something about them.

@kingtank_101 Monty passed away a few years ago.

 

[cypher]

I could be wrong, so correct me if I am, but I don't remember seeing any rule that states we must provide the species when referring animals at a zoo. Most people that post in the Toronto forum are locals, that visit the zoo often, so they've come to learn animal names thanks to this forum. So, while not always user friendly, it is easier to post animal's names over species and name. Again, not always user friendly, but not against the rules as far as I know.

 

[Simon Hampel]

I could be wrong, so correct me if I am, but I don't remember seeing any rule that states we must provide the species when referring animals at a zoo. Most people that post in the Toronto forum are locals, that visit the zoo often, so they've come to learn animal names thanks to this forum. So, while not always user friendly, it is easier to post animal's names over species and name. Again, not always user friendly, but not against the rules as far as I know.

No, there is no explicit rule. It's not about rules - it's about making sure that we aren't forming cliques where only the "in" people understand what's going on. We are a broad and diverse community - the discussions are not just for those few who live near a specific zoo.

If there was a thread which is specifically about an individual animal - it's quite reasonable for the discussion to use only the name. But when threads contain general discussions about multiple topics and the context isn't always obvious - it would be better to ensure sufficient context is given for the benefit of all members.

 

[cypher]

I get that. And while I don't think anyone in the Toronto forum is trying to make cliques, I think it's just a bad habit to state the names of animals without mentioning the species.

That being said the posts in question have been edited in a manner that they should have originally been asked.

I think we can all try being more self-conscious in our posts to make the Toronto forum and this board overall more inclusive with how we refer to animals (state the species along with animal names) and respond to others (be kinder).

 

[Jefferson]

For those interested, there is a thread of the names compiled by @TZFan with an update from January 2024 on page 6, with some community contributions after. I understand people may not want to go and search, all the information is here as well. Personally I will try and make sure to include the species in future discussions.

Toronto Zoo Animal Names [Toronto Zoo]

Additionally @TZFan has also put an insane amount of work I to a history of family trees which can give some context for animal names as well.

Family Trees of Toronto Zoo Animals [Toronto Zoo]