Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2025

Jefferson

Jefferson

Well-Known Member
New Year, New Thread!

I think 2025 will be a year of construction and slow development. After the flagship 2024, 50th anniversary year, I think this year will be about on going small projects and the new entrance. Below you will find a compilation I have made up, which is by no means exhaustive.

On going projects include:
- New Entrance
- New filtration/salt water at the Polar Bear Enclosure
- Completion and introduction of tigers to third outdoor exhibit at Amur Tigers
- Re-opening of renovated sumatran tiger area
- On gong boardwalk work connecting the two, also work on the pathing in front of the African Rainforest pavilion (and hopeful it connects with the Tiger boardwalk
- Savanna Barn (near former wildebeest)
- Adjustments of outdoor orangutan after Kembali's (1.0 Sumatran Orangutan) great escape
- Bathrooms (I am losing track of which are currently done, I know Simba's lodge and the ones near the top of the domain were the latest renovated, but can't recall if they have re-opened).
- Lots of ongoing behind the scenes scenes work on maintenance of older facilities (think roofing, hvac) on 50 year old pavilions

Upcoming:
- Start on red panda Reno (indoor cooled area for the pandas in the summer with guest viewing)
- I suspect further reno and path work at the top of the board walk by African rainforest pavilion
- African Savanna Pavilion, as far as I know this will be the next major project .

I suspect lots of construction, hopefully fewer large detours (like when the boardwalks were closed), but in general lots of work on updating the old facilities and some new ones as well.
 
Another likely area for change is the pathing around the waterfall at the Mayan temple. When will they work on it? Im not sure. But other than the domain that is the last major path area that is not accessibility compliant. Its path is steep but it could be fixed whenever the zoo is ready to tackle it. Until then its also easy to close off without impacting much.

Speaking of the domain this could be another big change. If Im correct the accessibility laws come into full effect this year so the Domain shouldnt open. Nothing has been done to address it. That being said, the zoo also brought in two new cougars and none of us really expected that, unless Bowen is slated to go Winnipeg with Teeka when their new exhibit is ready. It is entirely possible we are just holding both of them as a favor. Also confusing to me was that the zoo didnt make much of the domain closing for the winter. I would think if it was closing forever the zoo would likely have made a little more of its closing, announcing it was our last chance to see it. It will be interesting to see if it reopens come spring. It's permanent closure would be a massive development because it would mark the end of a era.
 
Such a great point, can't believe I didn't include it haha

I suspect it will depend on the date the law goes into effect, and perhaps how strict the enforcement will be? Because I agree, I think they would make an announcement of its final closing, as some people would certainly want to make a final break down the hill. Although it is interesting this year that they have actually only closed a portion of it. You can still go down to see the racoons, cougars, and the smaller bison paddock.

I think your thought on the cougars may very well be spot on.
 
Interesting, perhaps ironically, this is the one winter that the hill itself has actually stayed open.
 
Jefferson said:
New Year, New Thread!

I think 2025 will be a year of construction and slow development. After the flagship 2024, 50th anniversary year, I think this year will be about on going small projects and the new entrance. Below you will find a compilation I have made up, which is by no means exhaustive.

On going projects include:
- New Entrance
- New filtration/salt water at the Polar Bear Enclosure
- Completion and introduction of tigers to third outdoor exhibit at Amur Tigers
- Re-opening of renovated sumatran tiger area
- On gong boardwalk work connecting the two, also work on the pathing in front of the African Rainforest pavilion (and hopeful it connects with the Tiger boardwalk
- Savanna Barn (near former wildebeest)
- Adjustments of outdoor orangutan after Kembali's (1.0 Sumatran Orangutan) great escape
- Bathrooms (I am losing track of which are currently done, I know Simba's lodge and the ones near the top of the domain were the latest renovated, but can't recall if they have re-opened).
- Lots of ongoing behind the scenes scenes work on maintenance of older facilities (think roofing, hvac) on 50 year old pavilions

Upcoming:
- Start on red panda Reno (indoor cooled area for the pandas in the summer with guest viewing)
- I suspect further reno and path work at the top of the board walk by African rainforest pavilion
- African Savanna Pavilion, as far as I know this will be the next major project .

I suspect lots of construction, hopefully fewer large detours (like when the boardwalks were closed), but in general lots of work on updating the old facilities and some new ones as well.
Click to expand...

Just to note that the third Amur tiger exhibit has been open for a while and tigers have definitely already been out there (the Sumatrans for sure, not sure about Amur Mazy).
 
Ahh good to know, is it completely done? I knew the tigers had rotated through, but I thought there were somethings to complete still? I was hoping it would get a little more of a formal viewing area, because it isn't that great to be honest, particularly compared to the viewing of the two other enclosures.

To be honest haven't walked that neck of the zoo in a couple of months.
 
I was talking to one of the volunteers last Thursday at the Amur (and currently Sumatran) exhibit - they said they were maintaining the third fenced area as an add-on part of the main exhibit because it doesn't have a water feature (particularly for the summer months). Right now it connects just by tunnel to the main exhibit, and I don't see where it connects as a typical exchange into the tiger house, but that could just be on the other side.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, considering the relative size of the main exhibit and that one (versus the smaller side yard), and while I'm always very appreciative of the volunteers sharing information they have - I don't typically explicitly trust it.

Hari (Sumatran tiger) was out in it on Thursday and I was watching him move between the main and third yards.
 
Zooer said:
I was talking to one of the volunteers last Thursday at the Amur (and currently Sumatran) exhibit - they said they were maintaining the third fenced area as an add-on part of the main exhibit because it doesn't have a water feature (particularly for the summer months). Right now it connects just by tunnel to the main exhibit, and I don't see where it connects as a typical exchange into the tiger house, but that could just be on the other side.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, considering the relative size of the main exhibit and that one (versus the smaller side yard), and while I'm always very appreciative of the volunteers sharing information they have - I don't typically explicitly trust it.

Hari (Sumatran tiger) was out in it on Thursday and I was watching him move between the main and third yards.
Click to expand...
Hello: This is an odd request. I am hoping to connect with someone that can help me design an outdoor enclosed habitat for my Savannah domestic cat. I would like to allow my cat to roam a large area in my back yard, but a traditional "catio" is not what I would want. Would you know of anyone with this sort of experience or be able to point me in the right direction ? Thank you.
 
SavannahCatLady said:
Hello: This is an odd request. I am hoping to connect with someone that can help me design an outdoor enclosed habitat for my Savannah domestic cat. I would like to allow my cat to roam a large area in my back yard, but a traditional "catio" is not what I would want. Would you know of anyone with this sort of experience or be able to point me in the right direction ? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Polypropylene poultry netting would be the least expensive way to enclose a large outdoor area.
 
Jefferson said:
Ahh good to know, is it completely done? I knew the tigers had rotated through, but I thought there were somethings to complete still? I was hoping it would get a little more of a formal viewing area, because it isn't that great to be honest, particularly compared to the viewing of the two other enclosures.

To be honest haven't walked that neck of the zoo in a couple of months.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if they are still working on things (based on another reply below seems they are) but at least it is suitable for them to put the tigers out as needed.
I do agree on the viewing, wondering if they might put an area to the left side of it (across from the red pandas) as there is empty space there which is slightly elevated. That's just my thoughts though!
 
Zooer said:
I was talking to one of the volunteers last Thursday at the Amur (and currently Sumatran) exhibit - they said they were maintaining the third fenced area as an add-on part of the main exhibit because it doesn't have a water feature (particularly for the summer months). Right now it connects just by tunnel to the main exhibit, and I don't see where it connects as a typical exchange into the tiger house, but that could just be on the other side.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me, considering the relative size of the main exhibit and that one (versus the smaller side yard), and while I'm always very appreciative of the volunteers sharing information they have - I don't typically explicitly trust it.

Hari (Sumatran tiger) was out in it on Thursday and I was watching him move between the main and third yards.
Click to expand...
Hmmm - I know when it was very first being used in the late fall I overheard a couple of keepers talking about putting one of the Sumatrans out there and they had broken or done something to the water feature (I heard bits and pieces) so it needed to be fixed.... perhaps that's what the volunteer meant.
 
Kemala (0.1 Sumatran Tiger) has moved back over to Indo-Malaya after her recent dental procedure. There is only one completed enclosure at this time, it is the one in between the boardwalk touchingly the pavilion. There is a beautiful new climbing structure.

The other enclosure is still wide open without fences up so I imagine it will be a bit until we see Hari (1.0 Sumatran tiger) move back to Indo-Malaya. Nice to see them back and I think will make the boardwalk walk a bit more exciting.
 
TZFan said:
Another likely area for change is the pathing around the waterfall at the Mayan temple. When will they work on it? Im not sure. But other than the domain that is the last major path area that is not accessibility compliant. Its path is steep but it could be fixed whenever the zoo is ready to tackle it. Until then its also easy to close off without impacting much.

Speaking of the domain this could be another big change. If Im correct the accessibility laws come into full effect this year so the Domain shouldnt open. Nothing has been done to address it. That being said, the zoo also brought in two new cougars and none of us really expected that, unless Bowen is slated to go Winnipeg with Teeka when their new exhibit is ready. It is entirely possible we are just holding both of them as a favor. Also confusing to me was that the zoo didnt make much of the domain closing for the winter. I would think if it was closing forever the zoo would likely have made a little more of its closing, announcing it was our last chance to see it. It will be interesting to see if it reopens come spring. It's permanent closure would be a massive development because it would mark the end of a era.
Click to expand...

Going back on this point - I'm very curious about what will happen with remaining animals in the domain for the interim.

At this point - the only animals down there are one grizzly bear, some raccoons, two cougars, and the bison.

Some of these animals could almost certainly find homes elsewhere in the zoo until the Wilderness North stuff starts. I wouldn't be shocked if the cougars went back to Assiniboine together or even the old jaguar exhibit for the time being, the raccoons to any myriad of places (Kids Zoo, Americas, Tundra Trek), and our remaining grizzly bear up to the polar bear exhibit for her remaining days. What I wonder more is where the bison would go. I imagine a lot will stay down in the domain as an off-display breeding herd - but I imagine they'll try to find a spot for some representatives up top too. Maybe the old wisent paddock? Hard to say!
 
While I know grizzlies aren't a part of Toronto's future plans - I wouldn't be all too sad if they had polars AND grizzlies using that area going forward. Especially when it becomes just Hudson and Juno living together once Aurora and Nikita pass on - I don't think it'd be unreasonable to have a grizzly or two utilizing the space as well.
 
HawkAlot said:
While I know grizzlies aren't a part of Toronto's future plans - I wouldn't be all too sad if they had polars AND grizzlies using that area going forward. Especially when it becomes just Hudson and Juno living together once Aurora and Nikita pass on - I don't think it'd be unreasonable to have a grizzly or two utilizing the space as well.
Click to expand...
I definitely agree with this especially with Shintay's (Grizzly Bear) age really getting up there I think the polar bear exhibit would be a nice retirement exhibit for her rather than the one in the domain. Unfortunately, they just changed the polar bear exhibits pool to saltwater.
 
Akula said:
I definitely agree with this especially with Shintay's (Grizzly Bear) age really getting up there I think the polar bear exhibit would be a nice retirement exhibit for her rather than the one in the domain. Unfortunately, they just changed the polar bear exhibits pool to saltwater.
Click to expand...

True! I don't know that would be the end of the world for an aging grizzly, but good point.
 
Did they make all three pools salt water? Also would Grizzly Bears need more hides than Polar Bears? Shintay's, the Grizzly Bears current exhibit provides more places to hide and at least the illusion of a more densely forested area. Also aren't Nikita and Aurora, Polar Bears about the same age as Shintay?
 
I'm not entirely sure! That said, I imagine they could add some more hiding places... or simply allow her access into the holding area if that is an issue. For an aging grizzly who is only going to keep getting older - I imagine even just rotating between the maternity yard and the grass exhibit would suffice.

I would assume hibernation may be an issue as well come to think of it - though they do have the previously used maternity dens in the building. That said, I'm not sure if it would be too noisy over the winter for her.

Aurora and Nikita were born in late 2000/early 2001. Shintay arrived at the zoo in 1999, but I'm not sure exactly how old she is off the top of my head. She was young when she arrived though. At least 26 this year!

Sorry if this has all gotten off topic of the thread, lol.
 
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