Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Future Developments 2014

I havent heard anything directly nor have they been as helpful by posting building plans and business proposal requests relating to it like they did for the Eurasian Wilds. Man those were gold mines.

I've already posted the little bread crumbs I've been able to find... the job posting and documents I found in the last week or so. The job posting I think is the most interesting of all. Has to be for the giraffes indoor exhibit. What else could be needing fake rocks and trees by July? The Eurasian Wilds will be done. I dont think there is any other projects on the immediate horizon. Just the giraffes new home and their old home. And with the old home supposedly schedualed to be demolished and rebuilt for the new species by the end of the year the giraffes just have to move as soon as possible. July would make sense for the girls moving date. It would give the zoo time to plant in the outdoor yard and for the grass to take before they arrive. As well as doing any changes they need to the yard to make it giraffe friendly in good weather. Cant very well dig up the sandy yard when its frozen solid.

I do remember reading in the last week that the giraffes will be joined by at least one other animal. Whatever document it was said it would offer an eye level look at smaller species... or something along those lines. I dont hold much faith in a mixed exhibit given the zoos limited use of them but maybe they are moving towards them. I honestly dont think the new exhibit mate will be here this summer though. First they will need to move Twiga and Mstari and let them get comfortable in their new environment. They will also probably bring up the male from the US that they have been trying to secure since Stripes death and if they are very lucky a new female or two... highly unlikely to get the females right now but Ginetta's death might have changed the priority of the zoo in getting at least one more female. THey would need to intergate the new herd. After they were settled then I think the zoo would consider introducing a new species or two. I would guess they would wait until 2015 and try intros once the snow was gone. Plus if the new hoof stock has arrived for the giraffes old exhibit they could get several new species and make that their summer focus.

Any one want to take a guess what they might include with the giraffes?

I dont know. Im still leaning towards nothing. But they say they are going to so I would like to see a real mix. Clear out the other yards and slowly try adding each species we already have. Start with the ostriches because their exhibit is huge and totally wasted on 2 big birds. It could be better used on another new species. Then I would try the kudus and their birds because they are younger animals and theres likely 4 of them to give each other comfort. Another free exhibit for another less social animal... oh no... Then the zebras and their birds... why not? And if all is going well the sable antelope. It would give a great mix and would leave 4 open exhibits for other species. Im willing to add even more. But it would be a huge revitalization of the savannah without having to build a ton. I would then combine the lions yard with the ostrich yard because it would give them massive space. Lindy and Jerroh could be out in the one yard and the white lions out in the other until the old guys demise at which time they either house surplus white lions there or consider something else.

I do wonder what will be the new species in the giraffes old exhibit. I think I would like a desert theme and bring over the dromedary camels, add in addax and maybe something else smaller. If we are only adding one thing I think if im being reasonable and staying within the zone I would like the Addax. Being less geographically concerned I want the bongos back. I liked them but their placement in the savannah would bother me. I can live with the addax because they live in the desert and the scrub... so do hyenas. It works.
 
I would be very surprised if other species were mixed in with the giraffes. If the zoo did want to mix species I would love to see gazelles or impalas along with some kind of bird (crowned cranes, storks, ostriches, etc.) put in with the giraffes. For the old giraffe exhibit I would like to see wildebeest, elands, bongos or addaxes.

I also hope the giraffe exhibit will include a feeding station. Toronto is one of the only major North American zoos that I can think of without giraffe feeding.
 
There is the platform behind the hippos which could probably be repurposed for a feeding station. I believe its possible... however knowing our zoo they will miss out on a great money maker. Its a great idea. I pay a couple of bucks for a few leaves or whatever and I get an amazing experience. The zoo has to feed the giraffe anyway and the price people pay is far more than the actual cost of the leaf. Give me a leaf or two of say romaine and charge me 5 bucks for the experience and I've paid for two whole heads of lettuce at grocery store prices... their deal is probably better. Now multiply me by the probably couple hundred a day who would love to do it. Suddenly you have more food being paid for by a source other than the zoo... Is it a massive amount? Probably not considering the size of many of the animals but every little bit helps. Plus there is the increased draw the zoo would get from offering the experience.

Hopefully they will build a feeding station. It would be huge. Probably the most busy place after the pandas and polar bears.
 
Today when I went to the zoo I was able to see some of the Eurasian mountain exhibits. I was very surprised to see that on one of the mountains was a group of what I think were tur. Does this mean that those exhibits are already done? I saw that some of the rocks were still that ugly red colour so I hope they still get repainted.
 
I dont know if they ever were to be repainted. I think work was mentioned for the red pandas and camels, the work on the drive through exhibits, the new snow leopard and sea eagle complex and I think that was it other then panda related stuff. Its been two years since we first learned of all of the work but I dont think any major work was expected on anything else.

Upside is that ugly red colour will fade eventually.
 
The red panda exhibit for sure isn't being renovated. Other than that I know very little about what is being done to the exhibits.
 
Oh no I didnt mean massive renos for the red pandas. They were supposed to recieve a paint job. What I said might have been a little misleading. It was just tiny touch ups to make it look fresher.

And Im not sure about the camels. I think it was some yard changes and minor upgrades to their barn but only little stuff. I could be wrong.

The big stuff was the drive throughs, the snow leopard/sea eagle exhibit and the panda complex. But even the drive through seemed to have no real additions just fencing changes. Frankly I would have repaved the path or made it a dirt one but hey thats just me. I didnt care for the crumbling pavement. Maybe that will get redone just before opening again for the season now that they know it works.
 
Im a happy happy camper they put up the giraffe drawings! The drawing show both yards are to be pretty much demolished. The platform is to be removed. I think the shade structures are to stay. Everything is to be regraded and 6 inches of top soil brought in before sodding. The hippo house stays.

In yard 1 it appears some sort of ramp and retaining wall is being built to help the giraffes get down into the lower yard. Im not sure... Im trying my best to read building plans.

In yard 2 the pool is to be removed and a waterer be added to a shade structure at the center of the exhibit. A new larger platform is to be built and the drawing shows a person feeding a young giraffe with an older giraffe behind it... Thats right it shows what appears to be a feeding platform!!!! Then there is some kind of structure or feature they have blocked off just beyond the platform... I dont know what it is...

And the 3rd yard loops in behind the platform and possibly out parallel to the side of the hippo exhibit and take over the farm thing. It will fill most of that dead space... I find it concerning though no space is being left for a current hippo exhibit expansion... THere is space being left to the side of the new yard 3. Maybe they will go there down the line.

So excited a feeding station looks like its part of the plan! If they are screwing with me I might be forced to cry.

Its a ton of space for just 2 giraffes... The space looks like they will have at least triple the space. I know more will come but it really tells me they are going to get in a couple of other species to join them. Thats a massive amount of space and even if we could get a herd of 8 eventually it would still seem empty.

http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/RFT 16.2014.02 DRAWINGS.pdf

The second doc is basically setting out the job... I quickly skimmed it and saw nothing interesting but who knows what one of you will find in the bid package.

http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/RFT 16.2014.02 FRONT END&SPECIFICATIONS.pdf

Wait I was wrong all yard construction is to begin March 17th and be done May 2nd. Could mean the girls will move for the long weekend!
 
Thanks for sharing these plans TZFan! I can't wait for the new giraffe exhibit to open. I'm surprised about how many renovations will happen to the exhibit. I thought that the elephant exhibits would mostly stay the same. Obviously what I'm most excited for is the feeding station. I've only fed a giraffe once at the Miami Zoo and it was an awesome experience. It's also interesting that a third yard will be created. This must mean that the zoo is getting more giraffes, because it would be strange to have more exhibits than animals! I also hope that with more space, at least one other species will be mixed with the giraffes. I do hope that some space will be left though for a future hippo expansion. The current hippo exhibit isn't very large and if the zoo wants to add extra features like underwater viewing, there has to be enough space.
 
Glanced over the Development plan. Looks pretty interested. Although, it's possible that the feeding station may be for Keepers only. That could possibly be there for Keeper talks and feeding.

However, adding a feeding station where people can feed the giraffes would be cool.

I'm also glad to see that they're not only renovating the area, but expanding on it. If they have the space, than why not. Let's just hope this doesn't hinder the Hippo expansion.
 
I cannot begin to explain how excited I am based on that little drawing of a person feeding a giraffe. But the plans dont specifically say theres a feeding station which worries me. The new platform isnt part of this contract so theres no real details about it. The drawing could be misleading but Im hoping it means feeding the giraffes. I want to feed one more than anything else.

It is ironic that the zoo will have more yards than giraffes. But Im sure since it appears the girls will move this summer that the zoo has already secured at least a new male and is working on its paper work and just waiting for the exhibit to be ready to house him. We had two possiblities as of last summer, Miles from Houston who may no longer be available and Joey from Brevard which was pretty much a done deal. Unfortunately we still may have to wait on the females because the right females need to be born for our new male whoever he might be. But bare minimum we should be up to three giraffes by the end of the year. It would be great if we had more. Things could have changed when Ginetta died and with the opening of a huge new exhibit.

I dont know what will be joining them but being such a massive exhibit they need more than just giraffes. Its a must. Why have all that space and just a couple of animals? I want them to move the ostriches over. It would be great to give the ostriches room to run but then with the indoor holding they could be displayed during the winter too. And it would free up a large exhibit for another animal. Im fine if its left empty for the summer. Bring in a new animal then to fill the exhibit in 2015 when the new hoof stock is there and maybe another addition is made to the giraffes. It would give a new feature for the 2015 season. A minor revitalization of the savannah at no real cost.

I think there will be space down the line to just build a brand spanking new exhibit. They could move the bush camp if necessary over behind the ostrich exhibit or put the hippos there. Its another massive waste of space. It could easily give space for two exhibits and underwater viewing and a winter exhibit.
 
Where does it say when the construction is to start and end? Just curious.
 
Oh I searched completion and somewhere in there it gave the dates. I didnt actually take the time to read through and find it. Ah I love key word searches.

Its page 10 0f 15 so the box says. Its under 15.2.1 under commencement and completion of the work.
 
My guess is that part of the reasoning behind expanding the amount exhibit space has to do with trying to keep animal activists quiet- If there wasn't enough space for elephants, then there isn't enough for giraffes as is. The extra yards will give the Zoo more flexibility with their herd. A few years ago, with the US border closed to importing/exporting giraffes, the Zoo had to keep Stripes separate from the girls to avoid breeding. With only one yard, the giraffes had to be rotated on exhibit.

I am excited to see the drawing of the feeding station, but knowing the Zoo, I doubt public feedings will be implemented this year. The draw for visitors this year would be the new exhibit, while in the future, the draw could be public feedings.

From looking at the drawings and an overhead view of the area on Google, I don't think the third exhibit actually takes over the little farm, but comes right up to the back edge of it. I could be wrong, but thats what it looks like to me.

It will be interesting to see the documents for the giraffe house renovation, as I can picture quite a few changes that will need to happen to make it suitable for giraffes.

As for the hippos, there is still space to expand their exhibit if they expand towards the warthogs and change the path layout. Not sure how they would do underwater viewing or if that is even being considered.
 
Oh no doubt they can use the space especially if the male needs to be seperated plus surplus animals and socail issues too could be factors. They need more space. Just sounds funny to say we have 3 giraffe yards and 2 giraffes right now. We clearly need more giraffes because while they should have room to roam even just adding a male will not fill that exhibit. Another reason having at least one or two other species will help.

Adams7 dont take away my hopes for a feeding station. Let me desperately cling to hope. I realize they could very well crush my dreams. Its kinda sad I found the plans and saw the picture because while I hoped for a feeding station before to have it so close and then ripped away would be extra cruel.

You might be right about the position of the exhibit. I took a guess trying to use google and the map but it would have helped if they showed a little more of whats around it like they did with the Eurasia plans. I think they could get rid of the farm. Its of no real value and it would at least give other viewing spots for the new exhibit.

Ya I havent seen them which is weird. You would think they would have been advertised already or now with the yard. Could be the changes can be done with staff already employed? I mean there was the job offered for the exhibit builder assistant which was an zoo promoted job. If contractors were needed finding someone to do that would be up to the contractor not the zoo. And for the life of me I cannot think of a single thing that would call for that type of job other than the giraffes.

I forgot paths can be moved. Yes Im that smart... The decision wont need to be made though for at least 10 years based on projections already shared by the zoo. THe new master plan due this year could dramatically change things though. Currently they have expressed a need for a barn closer to the exhibt with indoor witer viewing, space for a breeding herd and surplus, at least two yards and underwater viewing. But like I said thats subject to change come the new master plan and any changes to it before the exhibit actaully comes up for reno.
 
TZFan said:
I cannot begin to explain how excited I am based on that little drawing of a person feeding a giraffe. But the plans dont specifically say theres a feeding station which worries me. The new platform isnt part of this contract so theres no real details about it. The drawing could be misleading but Im hoping it means feeding the giraffes. I want to feed one more than anything else.
Click to expand...

I don't know that that platform would be suitable for public feeding, it seems very low (relative to the height of the giraffes), which to me seems unsafe for both the animals and the public. Most giraffe feeding platforms have barriers ~as tall as the giraffes mouth, and often the platform itself extends out from the barrier to stop the giraffes body getting too close. The diagram in the plan suggests the giraffe would have to bend down to be fed, which I haven't seen before.
 
Oh why is every one trying to drag me towards reality. It never occured to me before but it could be unsafe with adult giraffes really being able to access people with lots of room. Why would they build it so low? Forget the feeding concept for a second. Why so low that a giraffe could accidentally hit someone? And if its for keepers to feed them form a lower deck we cant access then isnt that putting the keeper at risk too? Baffling if indeed your right... wouldnt know personally... I havent had the opportunity to feed a giraffe ever hence my fixation on feeding one. Im going to hope that the zoo is being wreckless and I get to feed a giraffe anyway. Ill take my chances. But reality is starting to set in that my modest little dream might be shattered. Oh why did they have to include that drawing. If it wasnt there I would have still hoped but not gotten my hopes up. Now any exhibit without the feeding platform will just make me sad. Ill still love Twiga and Mstari but it wont be the same joy as getting to touch one of them or rather have them touch me. Ill just have to wait and see and continue to plan on a trip to any other zoo to get the chance.
 
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