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

Trip to the zoo today!!

So I went to the zoo today with my brother, and we managed to get some information from the keepers.

As you may have heard Aurora is indeed back in the polar bear exhibit, although she seems to be kept separate from Nikita. When I asked a keeper about the new cub, she told me that he seems to be doing well, and he will not be introduced back to the females until he is mature.

Also, one of the female River Otters has been paired with a male otter in hopes that they will breed. Currently nothing significant has happened yet.

The Snapping Turtles in the Americas Pavilion are currently using the Beaver pond to breed.

Also, I'm not sure if you're all aware, but there are still 3 arctic wolves in the Canadian Domain that are kept separate from the main pack in the Tundra Trek. Well, it turns out that the majority of the wolves in the Tundra Trek pack are older and most of the females haven been spayed. The pack of 3 in the Canadian Domain is a younger breeding pack. I forgot to ask what the gender ratio of the pack was.

And finally, the Sumatran Tigers are slowly being introduced to each other with the intentions of breeding them. Currently they are only looking at each other through the cage doors. They have yet to be fully introduced to each other with no boarder between them. The Keeper said that signs of breeding look positive so far.

I'm also hoping to post some of my pictures later today.
 
Thanks for the updates cypher! I'm really excited about all of the recent breeding and births happening at the zoo. 2014 could possibly replace 2012 as the Toronto Zoo's cutest year.

The news about the Arctic wolves was posted a few months ago. Whenever I go to the Canadian Domain, they are always in great poses for pictures, but the fence is extremely hard to get a decent picture through. I didn't know they were a breeding group though, which is great news. Out of all the animals at the zoo, Arctic wolves are one of the top species that I would like to see breed and have babies.
 
Nikita is probably still seperated because they are hopeful by January she might give birth as she was their focus this year not her very fertile but very unsuccessful sister.

Im glad we got a male river otter. His partner is like Talise as she is only 3 where as Maria is over 13 and likely not to breed. I would like to learn his name (yes Im obsessive complusive about names).

I never considered that they were breeding the snappers. I saw one in the beaver pond but I just assumed he was in there because the beavers never seem to be out... at least I've never seen one in the water in all my visits. Maybe I just have rotten timing.

I wouldnt be surprised if the younger pack wasnt allowed to breed until the old pack is smaller in numbers and they switch them. Considering they were born in 2000 or 2001 I dont think it will be too long. The pack must be thinning out slowly. And Cypher you could watch the pack getting spayed and neutered in an episode of Zoo Diaries if your interested. Also if you could find out the names of the members of both packs that would be super.

I figured the tiger intros had to happen soon. If you figure on a 3 month pregnancy, 3 months in the den before debut that puts them out by late spring if they were successful in the next month or so. The zoo would want to cash in on cubs for as much of the summer as possible. I wouldnt be surprised if things dont go well by the end of January they will give up until next year.

Arctic Wolf you are right. 2014 could crush 2012 as the year of cute. Just look at what we know is here or due plus the possibles.

Mstari (wont be tiny but still smaller than an adult)
Baby boy Polar bear (and possibly any sibling/cousins)
Ngozi and Charles baby
Penguins (as usual)
Lemurs (we could use more)
2 zebra foals
Capybara (why not more maybe I'll get around to them this time)

Always hopeful possiblities
River Otters (new pairing)
African Otters (remote with Fred's age and lack of success)
India Rhinos (they are trying)
Prehensiled Porcupines (new male)
Saki (new male)
Golden Lion Tamarins
Babirusa
Tigers
Red Pandas (unlikely but they hope)
Camels
Yak
Kangaroos
Tree Kangaroos (a swap was made to hopefully breed)
Emus
Cheetahs (they always try)
Warthogs (maybe not given the triplets last year)
Red River Hogs
And the one we all hope will happen... A GIANT PANDA CUB... or two.

Could be a very exciting year if even half happen.
 
I just got my first issue of the member's collections magazine. Here is some interesting information that I found out about births and arrivals this year:

- In addition to the babies mentioned already in this thread, 5 west caucasian tur and a litter of naked mole rats were born as well as many birds and reptiles. With 5 new west caucasian tur born, I am assuming that they will be included in the Eurasia Wilds. I don't know anywhere else the zoo could put such a large group.
- I can also confirm that I was correct about the new species of fish and marine invertebrates that were added to the Americas Pavilion. If you missed my previous post, the species are sailfin sculpins, shiner perches and seapens.
- Also many species that are part of the zoo's off exhibit breeding programs were born such as black footed ferrets, vancouver island marmots, loggerhead shrikes, panamanian golden frogs, oregon spotted frogs, and ngege.
 
Does anyone know the parents/siblings of Sumatran orang-utans Dinar (now at Perth) and Santan (Melbourne) who come from Toronto?
 
cypher said:
Also, one of the female River Otters has been paired with a male otter in hopes that they will breed. Currently nothing significant has happened yet.
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Are you sure there is a male river otter? I'm there fairly regularly and none of the keepers I've spoken to know anything about a new male. When I was there last weekend, there were two otters together, but one was definitely Maria, the older female (her coat is quite a bit lighter in colour) and I would think that if they were going to breed the river otters, they would pair Talise (younger and wild born) with the male. On the other hand, the spotted-necked otters have been seen breeding, so maybe the keeper was thinking of them.
 
adams7 said:
Are you sure there is a male river otter? I'm there fairly regularly and none of the keepers I've spoken to know anything about a new male. When I was there last weekend, there were two otters together, but one was definitely Maria, the older female (her coat is quite a bit lighter in colour) and I would think that if they were going to breed the river otters, they would pair Talise (younger and wild born) with the male. On the other hand, the spotted-necked otters have been seen breeding, so maybe the keeper was thinking of them.
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I didn't get much information from the keeper. Just that there was a male and female together and that they were hoping they would breed. I hoping that keeper knew what they were talking about.
 
Yes, there is a new male river otter with Talise, the zoo's young female river otter. They had a bit of a rough introduction, but are now doing well together from what I've heard.
 
Thats great news about the African otters. Hopefully Fred can produce some babies. He's the most genetically vaulable male being wild born and having no offspring. It would be a big boost to the genetic diveresity of the species.

And having young river otters at the same time would be cool. Guests love the otters but add some babies and their amusement level will go through the roof.
 
Went to the Zoo today!!

It was a pretty nice day today, so I figured I can get some nice winter shots at the zoo. During my visit, I found out that Nikita has been separated from Aurora in the Maternity Yard.

The Keeper said there is a chance that Nikita may be pregnant, but they are still unsure. He said her urine results show up negative for pregnancy, but at the same time, during Aurora's pregnancy her results were also negative. So, they're keeping Nikita in the maternity yard to see if she'll den inside, much in the same way Aurora did. Nikita has never really been that greatest in producing offspring but the Keepers are hopeful.

As for Aurora's cub, he's doing extremely well. He was never in as bad of condition as Hudson was. Plus the vet's experience in dealing with Hudson definitely showed in helping this new cub.

Also, I seems that the zoo in looking in getting some new Cheetahs sometime in the future, as their cheetahs are fairly old (9-10 years old). Cheetah's lifespan is about 10-12 years. The zoo's youngest cheetah at the moment is a 5 years old female.
 
Glad to hear the good polar bear news. Its nice to know they are still hopeful about Nikita and even better to hear the little man is doing so well.

Its also good to hear the cheetahs are starting to be replaced. Bomani and Mahala are the youngest and littermates who are 5. Elio and Luke are 7. Zoey is 8. Pinkie and Shamwari who are littermates are 9. Mya and Zeke are 10. Onyx is the oldest at 12. I think if we are getting new cheetahs theres a good chance they are coming from African Lion Safari.

Any other interesting facts from your visit?
 
TZFan said:
Glad to hear the good polar bear news. Its nice to know they are still hopeful about Nikita and even better to hear the little man is doing so well.

Its also good to hear the cheetahs are starting to be replaced. Bomani and Mahala are the youngest and littermates who are 5. Elio and Luke are 7. Zoey is 8. Pinkie and Shamwari who are littermates are 9. Mya and Zeke are 10. Onyx is the oldest at 12. I think if we are getting new cheetahs theres a good chance they are coming from African Lion Safari.

Any other interesting facts from your visit?
Click to expand...

Actually, the Keeper did mention that the Cheetah's would come from African Lion Safari, when the time comes.

Besides what I've already mentioned, didn't really learn anything else. The male Spotted Hyena was back on exhibit. They were off exhibit for a couple weeks, although I'm not sure why. Lindy and Jerroh were on exhibit. And I got to see the Arctic wolves howling.
 
I'm glad you had a good time at the zoo cypher. You're so lucky that you got to see the wolves howling!

The news about the baby polar bear is great. Hopefully he'll stay healthy and can go on exhibit soon. The zoo acquiring more cheetahs is also good. I wonder if the new cheetahs will be brought here for breeding.

I'll be visiting the zoo on Sunday so if there's anything you want me to try and find out or get pictures tell me.
 
cypher said:
Actually, the Keeper did mention that the Cheetah's would come from African Lion Safari, when the time comes.

Besides what I've already mentioned, didn't really learn anything else. The male Spotted Hyena was back on exhibit. They were off exhibit for a couple weeks, although I'm not sure why. Lindy and Jerroh were on exhibit. And I got to see the Arctic wolves howling.
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The Spotted Hyenas were visible in the hoofstock barn during the November access days for members. Their exhibit and others were having some refurbishing and a contractor had trouble scheduling his work at times suitable for the zoo so they were off exhibit for longer than planned.

The wolves can be heard almost every day. There is a train that goes by about 4:30 and the wolves often start howling then, especially at times of the year when it is dusky then. They also often seem to start up around 12:30, maybe another train or maybe because of the activity right beside them at the Polar Bear talk.
 
Mr Wrinkly said:
The Spotted Hyenas were visible in the hoofstock barn during the November access days for members. Their exhibit and others were having some refurbishing and a contractor had trouble scheduling his work at times suitable for the zoo so they were off exhibit for longer than planned.

The wolves can be heard almost every day. There is a train that goes by about 4:30 and the wolves often start howling then, especially at times of the year when it is dusky then. They also often seem to start up around 12:30, maybe another train or maybe because of the activity right beside them at the Polar Bear talk.
Click to expand...

Didn't know that. Thanks for the info.
 
Here are some updates from my amazing visit to the zoo today:

- crested pigeons are free flying in the Australasia pavilion in addition to the green winged doves
- baby Pacific spiny lumpsuckers are now mixed with the sailfin sculpins
- yellow spotted river turtles are finally back on exhibit with the mata mata turtles and caiman
- there were lots of baby axolotls in the amphibian conservation area
- the lake malawi aquarium is filled with water so hopefully the fish will move in soon
- there are new bird signs in indomalaya for the pheasant pigeons, palawan peacock pheasants, and red headed buntings
- malaysian painted turtles are now mixed with the chinese soft shell turtle in the moat in the gibbon exhibit

Even though these aren't updates, here are some of the highlights from my visit:

- I got a really good look at the new giant salamander and white spotted stingray
- the brush tailed bettong was finally visible and I even got to watch it interact with the wombat
- both of the beavers were walking and swimming around their exhibit. one of them was gathering sticks to put in their lodge and the other was chewing on the birdhouse in their exhibit

I'll hopefully be able to post pictures tonight.
 
Sounds like you had a great time and a lot of great luck in animal activity. To see the bettongs is rare, to see them interacting with the womabt even cooler. And come on how lucky are you to see the beavers out of the lodge and actually moving and doing stuff? I look forward to your pictures as always.
 
Sounds like you had a great time arcticwolf. I wish I could catch the beavers out and about.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.
 
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