Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo- Births, Deaths, Arrivals and Departures 2013

Actually on second thought... I know two of the kids I'll be going with love reptiles. One loves alligators and crocodiles. The other is totally into snakes. If you happen to find out any cool things about either of those through your travels too that would be super. But please dont go out of your way if reptiles arent for you. They arent really my thing and I never pay them much attention myself.
 
I'll see what I can find out about the reptiles. I also don't live very close to the zoo. My parents just want me out of the house!;) I'm not sure if I'll be going to the panda preview.
 
One of the most interesting facts about the reptiles is that Toronto's male west african dwarf crocodile "Monty" is one of the few original animals from opening day (all the way back on August 15th, 1974!)
 
Thanks zoogoer2000, I already knew Monty was an origional thanks to an article I read in the paper around the anniversery but a great reminder for me to point that out. Always good to have a refresher. Do you happen to know roughly how old he was when he arrived?

Along the same lines I know back in 2009 we still had several other original residence. There was Monty, a Demoiselle Crane, I think Charles, Josephine and Samantha (now gone), a couple of the elephants (some dead now, the others soon to go)... I cant remember the rest. Something makes me feel like Puppe is an origional or at least she arrived in the first little while. Who else from the originals are left? At nearly 40 years i doubt many... maybe some reptiles, large mammals, and a few birds. I'd love to know who else though.
 
I'll try my best. I haven't received my membership in the mail yet, so until then I can't register for the panda preview. Hopefully there will be spaces left.

Could you get the pics this weekend? That would probably be even better.
 
There are areas near the construction fence where you can get good views of the exhibit and surrounding area. I just want to get a feel for what it looks like.

Oh Ok. I haven't been to the zoo for a while so I didn't know that you could actually get views of the exhibit. I'll be sure to take a look.
 
On facebook the zoo recently posted a picture of the 2 panda mascots standing in front of the exhibit. You can see the climbing structure and I think part of the cave. If any you you do look, can you tell me if the picture is of the larger or smaller exhibit? I'm guessing it's the smaller one but I just want to make sure.
 
Its hard to tell what exhibit it is. There doesnt appear to be visitor barriers between the mascots and the exhibit and the chainlink wouldnt really give great viewing or photography opportunities. Given that could it be the third off exhibit yard? It would explain its size, the fencing and lack of visitor features. They might be waiting to unveil the exhibit yards with all its frills when it opens. But I could be completely wrong too. Doesnt really seem like a very big exhibit especially considering its the future home of amur tigers, 5 years down the line.
 
The exhibit in the facebook photo is the old maternity yard, which was made slightly smaller to accomodate the indoor exhibits. This exhibit is visible when on the Zoomobile and I believe that it has additional viewing areas that are not through chainlink fence.
 
Oh good. I thought if the exhibit was all chainlink that would suck. Glad to hear thats not the case. Since you've see it recently Adams7 does it look like a good yard for the pandas and in the future tigers? Im so excited to start seeing the photos you regular zoo goers will be taking of the pandas and their exhibit in the coming weeks.
 
Oh good. I thought if the exhibit was all chainlink that would suck. Glad to hear thats not the case. Since you've see it recently Adams7 does it look like a good yard for the pandas and in the future tigers? Im so excited to start seeing the photos you regular zoo goers will be taking of the pandas and their exhibit in the coming weeks.

I've only seen that particular yard (as nothing else is visible from the Zoomobile). It seems a little on the small side and flat, but if the pandas are going to be spending most of their days eating and sleeping, then it is probably ok. It looked like there are quite a few rocks, a wooden climbing structure and 1 tree in the exhibit. I would have liked to see some of the chain-link fence blocked off by trees (either inside or outside the exhibit), but I don't think that will be happening. The other outdoor exhibit should be much larger and will include a cave a pool. The rest of the area around the exhibit looks pretty good with lots of bamboo plants and bamboo 'fencing/barriers.' It will be interesting to see what the whole area, including the interpretive centre, will look like when it opens next week.
 
I'm going to the zoo tomorrow and I will make sure to post any updates and lots of pictures. I will try to get information on the reptiles and photos of the panda exhibit (if I can). Also, I booked my panda preview and will get lots of pictures then.
 
Now this doesnt have much to do with Toronto Zoo, but on Zooborns they have photos of some black footed ferret kits from the National Black Footed Ferret Center. I never knew the kits were born all white. They are cool to look at. Thought I would post it simply because I know Toronto is very involved in the breeding program and in their breeding centre there must be a lot of kits right now.

ZooBorns

Looking at the next article on the site its about baby river otters. That raised a quick question for me, why dont we ever seem to breed our otters? Are they too old? Are they already overrepresented? Do we just take in orphans with no need to breed? I for one would love to see the zoo have some pups... I actually dont even care if they are river or african (i know Fred is old and Ginger is gone).
 
Have a great time at the zoo tomorrow Arcticwolf.

Thanks!
Does anyone know if the drive through eurasian paddocks are open yet? If they are, I'll go on the zoomobile tomorrow. (I might end up going anyways since I'm going to the zoo with my 5 year old brother who loves rides)
 
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