Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo New Animals, Departures and Deaths 2012

Most polar bear cubs arrive between novemeber and February. Hudson is on record as the earliest birth were the cub survived (well that we know of who knows in the wild). Thats why I thought I would ask if anyone had heard anything. Cubbies could have already arrived or be expected any time now if either of the girls are expecting.

Ok thanks. I really hope we see some cubs soon!
If neither of the females give birth, or their babies don't survive, would the zoo bring Inukshuk back to try breeding again?
 
Excellent question arcticwolf. I wondered about that too when I heard they shipped him out. I'm guessing they have to be pretty sure about cubs coming (their survival is the really big wild card) or else why get rid of Inukshuk over Hudson since our baby boy cannot breed with his own mother and aunt when he reaches maturity. Hudson might be wildly popular but his father is the only way of getting more little fan favourites. Unless the zoo is pretty positive about at least 1 if not 2 pregnancies then I cant explain why Inukshuk left before February when they would know for sure if last springs breeding took. The only other reason I could see him going is that the zoo is hopeful about the breeding, has sperm saved as a back up and will try AI if necessary, and they have decided after that to bank on the crown prince Hudson as the future of polar bear breeding at the zoo. Meaning once hes big enough getting him a couple of ladies and shipping out his mom and sister and any sibling/cousins. But my money is on 2 possible litters this year which would bring anywhere from 1 to 6 more bears which would certainly need their fathers former space and probably their big brothers too for the next 2 or so years until they get their breeding recommendations. By that time good old Inukshuk could be back provided they dont feel he and the girls are not already well enough represented (up to 8 cubs for Inukshuk and the girls as a pair, since they are sisters, 7 cubs). If they are well represented the girls could join Inukshuk in Cochrane or go elsewhere while female offspring stay behind to become the future of Torontos breeding program. Not that I have any facts on any of this. Just making some common sense guesses.
 
Has anyone heard anything new on our new female sumatran tiger? Has Vitali been shipped out, with her taking his place?

I was at the zoo yesterday. Vitali was in the small outdoor holding yard and the crate has been put into his exhibit, so my guess is that he is leaving in the near future. As for the new female, the zoo was waiting until Vitali left to bring her in, since there isn't enough space for 3 adult tigers.
 
Does anyone know if our penguins have been successful hatching any of their eggs? Or any news on the possiblity of polar bear cubs this winter?

If I recall the recent Toronto Star article on the penguins correctly, the eggs were due to start hatching near the end of December.
 
Oh thanks adams7. I had it in my head the article said they were due to start hatching about a week after the article which would have meant theres possibly a chick already. Oh well I can wait for more cuties.
 
I was at the zoo yesterday. Vitali was in the small outdoor holding yard and the crate has been put into his exhibit, so my guess is that he is leaving in the near future. As for the new female, the zoo was waiting until Vitali left to bring her in, since there isn't enough space for 3 adult tigers.

That's good to hear about the tigers. Hopefully we'll see some cubs after Vitali leaves. It was interesting to compare the 2 subspecies of tiger though. At least the Amur tigers will be coming back after the pandas leave.
 
Toronto Sun is reporting that polar bear Aurora gave birth to three cubs last Thursday and sadly all three died. One right away and the other two over the weekend. Very sad.
 
Awwwwww :(:(:(:( I was really hoping that the babies would survive. At least there still might be a chance of seeing more baby polar bears.
 
Not only is the Toronto Sun reporting the story, but the Zoo put out an official press release. It must be hard on the keepers to see Aurora actually taking care of the cubs, only to see them pass away.
Toronto Zoo | Toronto Zoo | Press Releases

I don't think there is any chance of more cubs this season, as only Aurora was denning for the last month and a half. Nikita has been on exhibit during that time period. If she were pregnant, I would think that she too would have been off-exhibit denning.
 
What a pity they didnt make it even when Aurora was doing everything right this time. But there still might be hope for Nikitia if births can occur anywhere from now until Februrary. Hopefully she will be successful because they seem to want to continue breeding but were a little premature in sending off Inukshuk before they knew if the cubs would make it. We just have to hope all goes well and if it doesnt that we can get big daddy back.
 
Hey I just heard that the Toronto Zoo received a Malayan Tapir from the Bowmanville Zoo can anyone confirm this, and if so does anyone know its gender or if they plan on breeding or introducing it to their own tapir?
 
While I'm only hearing about this (possible) tapir acquisition now, I would imagine that it is a female. We have a breeding-aged male (Tanuck), so it would make the most sense I suppose to have an individual of the opposite sex.

Breeding might not be as plausible (due to the babirusa pigs that now live in some of the holding space/rotate for time in the exhibits with the tapir) but time and events will tell (not to mention, confirmation that this individual has indeed arrived!)
 
Are you sure it came from Bowmanville? I don't remember them having any tapirs. Unless the babirusas or tapirs move to a new exhibit, breeding would be a bad idea because there is not enough room in the house to hold 2 rhinos, 3 tapirs, and 3 babirusas. I know that it was mentioned in one thread that the gaur were going to be phased out. Maybe the tapirs could move to their exhibit?
 
Theres a lot of uncertainty here, Bowmanville, from what I know does not have any tapirs. Second, the gaur are being phased out, where did that information come from? If this is true though about the arrival of another tapir, they have probably moved the babirusas to another holding or exhibit at the zoo.
 
Theres a lot of uncertainty here, Bowmanville, from what I know does not have any tapirs. Second, the gaur are being phased out, where did that information come from? If this is true though about the arrival of another tapir, they have probably moved the babirusas to another holding or exhibit at the zoo.

I know that on one thread (I forget which one), someone (I forget who) said that the zoo was going to be phasing out the gaur. Maybe I misunderstood the information, but I'm pretty sure that's what I read.

Edit: I just found out that it was posted on this thread, page 6 I think.
 
I was at the Bowmanville zoo 2 years ago and I am fairly certain that they had a Tapir with their Capybaras. Any other details I don't know.
 
I can confirm Bowmanville does have, although I donèt know where it came from, one Tapir where they used to display Capybara, and there is a picture on their facebook page that features two. I heard although cannot confirm that the Tapir they sent to the Toronto Zoo might have bit a child so they wanted to get rid of it.
 
Hi Everyone,

I'm fairly sure that Bowmanville got the tapirs, along with some hoofstock when Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre decided to get out (mostly) of the exotics program a couple of years ago. Hope this helps with the mystery!
 
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