Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Future Developments 2012

I think I read on here there might be plans to expand the hippos exhibit and convert the rest of the elephant yard for the giraffes which would be kinda nice. The big platform that overlooks the hippos and elephants now could be converted into an giraffe feeding station which seems to be popular at other zoos. But thats more of a personal hope then anything I've read. And i think someone else mentioned okapis maybe taking over the giraffe exhibit. Personally I would like to see a nice mixed species exhibit, perhaps featuring giraffes. But who really knows what will happen with it. It'll probably be awhile before anything is done seeing as the focus right now is Eurasia, followed by the new Canadian section and hopefully the orangutans. It might just depend on cost for conversions to another species when they might tuck it in. We could get lucky.
 
I wouldn't put too much faith in okapi coming to Toronto. As mentioned many posts ago, although okapi can come to Canada, ungulate/ruminant importation bans at the border could possibly mean that they could not return to the USA. Even if there is interest from zoos in Canada, the SSP just might not be comfortable with the possibility of losing animals from the breeding population. However, you just never know.. Maybe some day we will get a specimen or two (If we were to receive any, I would bet more money on receiving a post-breeding age animal, rather than a breeding pair)

As for the west caucasian tur, I think they may be a phase out species (not many other institutions to trade with in the western hemisphere), but they continue to breed here so not completely sure how that's all working
 
Since we're down to only one hyena, do we have any idea what will replace the hyena's once he passes away? I could see african wild dogs being a big possibility... Or even more hyenas

Have they decided as well what will become of the clouded leopard exhibit once Merriweather passes? Would be nice to acquire a breeding pair of clouded leopards or maybe even fishing cats (which would be a nice match for this exhibit, especially with the stream). There is even space to manage both species in this exhibit (two holding areas and an off-exhibit yard) through rotation.
 
Zoogoer2000 said:
I wouldn't put too much faith in okapi coming to Toronto. As mentioned many posts ago, although okapi can come to Canada, ungulate/ruminant importation bans at the border could possibly mean that they could not return to the USA. Even if there is interest from zoos in Canada, the SSP just might not be comfortable with the possibility of losing animals from the breeding population. However, you just never know.. Maybe some day we will get a specimen or two (If we were to receive any, I would bet more money on receiving a post-breeding age animal, rather than a breeding pair)

As for the west caucasian tur, I think they may be a phase out species (not many other institutions to trade with in the western hemisphere), but they continue to breed here so not completely sure how that's all working
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If the West Caucasian tur are not exit, then why not have the population as a entire unit go to a region that does have a registered conservation breeding programme for them?
 
I thought we got a new hyena pair awhile back? But if we are down to one I'd love to see african wild dogs. They are one of the species I've always thought would be cool to get.
 
When I was there on Wednesday only one hyena was on exhibit, forgot that we had received a new pair. I think one from the old trio is still alive (Woozle?) So maybe they rotate him with the new pair

As for the clouded leopards, I think we are down to only one female of the original three

Again I'm not entirely sure how things will work with the west caucasian tur. They were said to be a phase-out species due to lack of other zoos in North America to really trade between, but they continue do continue to breed. I'm sure they could send them overseas to another zoo who does have a bigger breeding program for them, but only time will tell really how that pans out
 
Zoogoer2000 said:
When I was there on Wednesday only one hyena was on exhibit, forgot that we had received a new pair. I think one from the old trio is still alive (Woozle?) So maybe they rotate him with the new pair

As for the clouded leopards, I think we are down to only one female of the original three

Again I'm not entirely sure how things will work with the west caucasian tur. They were said to be a phase-out species due to lack of other zoos in North America to really trade between, but they continue do continue to breed. I'm sure they could send them overseas to another zoo who does have a bigger breeding program for them, but only time will tell really how that pans out
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Thanks for the comments: my gist is this ... if any region for one reason or another strikes off a species as phase out why not look outside the region to another region that does have a strong conservation breeding program for them. We should strive for increased and better cooperation in the spirit of WAZA.
 
Ngozi (our only viable breeding female as of now) last gave birth in August 2009. I wouldn't expect her to become pregnant for atleast another year. If Johari (born in 2001) stays at Toronto Zoo and we receive a new male after Charles, I could definitely see her becoming our other breeding female

Fun fact, when Samantha (who has since passed away) gave birth to Shalia in March of 2002, she wasn't expected to possibly give birth until about 2007. It was quite a surprise when she unexpected became pregnant in 2004, and then gave birth to Sadiki almost exactly 3 years after having Shalia ! You just never know what may happen.
 
@GorillaFan there is much controversy over what will happen to the gorilla dynamics. Ngozi has apparently already showed interest in Charles which means they could possibly have another baby within the next year or two. However, if Charles passes away while Ngozi is pregnant or if the baby is a new born they will not be able to bring in another male gorilla due to the fact that he may end up killing the newest baby and potentially Nassir. With that being said we may end up having a troop of gorillas with no new male and most likely Ngozi would be shipped to another zoo along with some of the younger female and male gorillas. It is possible that if we bring in a few more breeding age unrelated females and ship out some of the younger gorillas as well as bringing in a new male and have a sustainable breeding troop again. So there are basically two options out in the open, keep the current group dynamics the same and wait until the youngest gorillas grow up a bit more or bring in new females and a new male as well as shipping out some of the younger gorillas.

In other news:
- one of our female zebras looks pregnant the father would be Jake
- the american alligator exhibit has been completely redone with a new holding area in the back for easier handling I would assume
- Renos started on the second aquarium room in the americas seem to be well underway, the tanks have begun to be filled again. The aquariums at the end of the pavilion have all been boarded up I am assuming work has begun there as well.
- Hudsons exhibit (polar bear den) is no longer baby proofed
- barbary apes have a new jungle gym apparatus in their exhibits along with many other enrichment devices added to a variety of animal exhibits
 
TZFan said:
Another article with a grainier version of the story said there is a new female joining the group.
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The new female (Ruby) was introduced to the lemur group back in May.

Quartz92 said:
In other news:
- one of our female zebras looks pregnant the father would be Jake
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Shani is pregnant and is due anytime. The father is Shaka, who is now in the zebra exhibit by the ostriches. They are trying to breed Tori and Jake.


There is also a baby Kudu, but it is not yet on exhibit.
 
Will this be Shaka and Shani's final foal together? I would think the SSP would want to switch things up a bit after 4 foals together in a row.
 
Was at the zoo on the weekend, here are a few updates:

-- American Eel exhibit is being advertised in the old Butterfly Goodeid (spelling lol) exhibit in America's
-- On that note, signs confirmed the return or Piranhas and Angelfish following renos. New fish species (whose name escapes me) are going into the Redside Dace exhibit
-- Spotted Turtle, formely in the Waxy Monkey Frog exhibit, are now on display in the old spiny softshell turtle exhibit
--Red Panda are on display in the Kids Zoo in the exhibit between the Marabou Stork and Mccaw window.
 
So since the elephants will be phased out. There is plans of expanding the hippo exhibit? If so, I hope the zoo plans to bring in a hippo(s) for breeding.
 
It would be awsome if they redid some of the exhibit to expand the hippos yard. What would be really cool is underwater viewing. And it would be nice to have calves in the future. A baby hippo would boost attendance.
 
The plans for the elephant exhibit is to be renovated for the giraffes and a new hippo exhibit is slated in the zoos Wild for Life Campaign.

I am not 100% sure who the father of the zebra calf is but I would think it would be Jake seeing as from the grape vine Shaka was in a holding yard in the domain for the majority of the summer until he arrived back to the savanna beside the ostrich and Jake is currently on exhibit with 2 females one of which is pregnant. Some clarification of this I think is necassary.

I am glad the red pandas are on exhibit in the Kids Zoo!
 
Quartz92 said:
I am not 100% sure who the father of the zebra calf is but I would think it would be Jake seeing as from the grape vine Shaka was in a holding yard in the domain for the majority of the summer until he arrived back to the savanna beside the ostrich and Jake is currently on exhibit with 2 females one of which is pregnant. Some clarification of this I think is necassary.
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Zebras are pregnant for about 12 months, so the father would be based on where the males were last summer at this time. Looking back at the New Animal Thread from last year, Shaka was with the females and is most likely the father of the unborn calf.
(07-08-2011- "Also forgot to add that a new zebra, Jake who is 4 years old is on display where Shaka is normally, Shaka has been moved to the Savanna Paddock to breed.")
 
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