Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo- Births, Deaths, Arrivals and Departures 2014
- Thread starter TZFan
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There is a new baby yak, born today!.
Only the yaks were in the drive-thru but the Przewalski Horses were visible from two sides of their paddock.
A few weeks ago I wrote to the zoo about several things to do with the zoomobile narration and noticed a big difference last week and today. Altogether I had three brief rides, each with a different narrator. No more "Bacterian Camels", no horrible puns that few understood, much better delivery, and they now know they are looking at male mouflons, not female. When I got home there was a very nice letter from the Manager, Member and Guest Services, thanking me for the feedback and outlining the steps they have taken, which were evident.
Zebras - I also saw all the activity today, but there was no danger, and there was a keeper or a volunteer there at all times. Watched them about 40 minutes around noon and about twenty later in the afternoon. They were all peacefully grazing, not stressed, and easily resisted the male. He did not succeed while I was there.
Penguins were out for their talk and afterward a couple were with keepers on the grassy area by the fence across from the giraffes.
Only the yaks were in the drive-thru but the Przewalski Horses were visible from two sides of their paddock.
A few weeks ago I wrote to the zoo about several things to do with the zoomobile narration and noticed a big difference last week and today. Altogether I had three brief rides, each with a different narrator. No more "Bacterian Camels", no horrible puns that few understood, much better delivery, and they now know they are looking at male mouflons, not female. When I got home there was a very nice letter from the Manager, Member and Guest Services, thanking me for the feedback and outlining the steps they have taken, which were evident.
Zebras - I also saw all the activity today, but there was no danger, and there was a keeper or a volunteer there at all times. Watched them about 40 minutes around noon and about twenty later in the afternoon. They were all peacefully grazing, not stressed, and easily resisted the male. He did not succeed while I was there.
Penguins were out for their talk and afterward a couple were with keepers on the grassy area by the fence across from the giraffes.
Funny how there can be two completely different experiences at the zoo, with only a couple hours of between us.
During my zoomobile ride, I still had the puns, and overall bad delivery from the narrator. Both Yaks and Zebras were in the drive-thru. No mention of a baby yak.
There was no volunteer or keeper watching the Zebras during their intense scuffle. People were actually looking for a keeper to alert them of the ruckus.
And no Penguins were out of their exhibit.
The yak was born outdoors today, maybe after you went through.
Maybe the penguins were put out after you went past there. I didn't go to the keeper talk, but there were lots of people there for it, so they must have been out, and I saw them out on the grass after that.
Maybe the penguins were put out after you went past there. I didn't go to the keeper talk, but there were lots of people there for it, so they must have been out, and I saw them out on the grass after that.
The keeper/volunteer was behind the fence where the zebras enter and not very noticeable to the public. Actually a volunteer came along to relieve a keeper, thinking she was supposed to be on the visitor path.
Damn my earlier habit ways. I missed the baby yak by a couple hours.
Yeah, there was no Keeper or such visible in that area when I went by. Could be that they stepped away for a bit, or a volunteer went to get a Keeper due to the situation. Either way, glad things calmed down.
I also find it funny that we happen to go on the same day again. Just different times, as usual.
Yeah, there was no Keeper or such visible in that area when I went by. Could be that they stepped away for a bit, or a volunteer went to get a Keeper due to the situation. Either way, glad things calmed down.
I also find it funny that we happen to go on the same day again. Just different times, as usual.
I love how two people can visit the zoo on the same day and have such different experiences. Thats the beauty of the zoo. No two experiences will be the same.
You got pretty lucky being able to see a newborn... well anything... The yak calf likely belongs to Sable, as I think Shadow gave birth to Amy last year and yaks usually give birth every other year. Amy would be too young.
Poor Jake. With one thing on his mind and no one to share it with. Hopefully he can stay with Shani, Tori and the foals. His life will be more interesting in a group than by himself in zebra daddy time out. Im sure Shani will put him in his place.
The ground hornbills are fun to watch. It would have been interesting to see a chase. Last year I loved watching one of the adults with a baby calling to the other parent across the yard. They have such low bellowy calls. You could feel their calls vibrating through your body.
I wonder how much if the construction that has been going on lately that arent the big projects are to address potential accreditation concerns. Just seems like there has been a lot of projects popping up all over the place. Though they may just be necessary maintance.
You got pretty lucky being able to see a newborn... well anything... The yak calf likely belongs to Sable, as I think Shadow gave birth to Amy last year and yaks usually give birth every other year. Amy would be too young.
Poor Jake. With one thing on his mind and no one to share it with. Hopefully he can stay with Shani, Tori and the foals. His life will be more interesting in a group than by himself in zebra daddy time out. Im sure Shani will put him in his place.
The ground hornbills are fun to watch. It would have been interesting to see a chase. Last year I loved watching one of the adults with a baby calling to the other parent across the yard. They have such low bellowy calls. You could feel their calls vibrating through your body.
I wonder how much if the construction that has been going on lately that arent the big projects are to address potential accreditation concerns. Just seems like there has been a lot of projects popping up all over the place. Though they may just be necessary maintance.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone for posting all the updates!
I'm so glad that the feathertail gliders are finally on exhibit. It's nice that they're in the frilled lizard exhibit because now the zoo will have two species of gliders on display, while most zoos have one or none.
Also the news about the baby yak is exciting and adds another reason why I need to go on the zoomobile again.
I'm going to the zoo this weekend, but only for 2 hours for additional volunteer training because I'll be helping out at zoo camp this summer for a week. After the training I have to go home and study, so I won't be able to see any animals. Luckily school ends in two weeks and then I can hopefully go to the zoo lots of times this summer!
I'm so glad that the feathertail gliders are finally on exhibit. It's nice that they're in the frilled lizard exhibit because now the zoo will have two species of gliders on display, while most zoos have one or none.
Also the news about the baby yak is exciting and adds another reason why I need to go on the zoomobile again.
I'm going to the zoo this weekend, but only for 2 hours for additional volunteer training because I'll be helping out at zoo camp this summer for a week. After the training I have to go home and study, so I won't be able to see any animals. Luckily school ends in two weeks and then I can hopefully go to the zoo lots of times this summer!
The only reason we got turfed was the city's overstepping. Any of their other concerns during previous visits werent enough to issue any kind of warning that their accreditation was in danger.
I think based off some things I have read over time the elephants and giraffes were some of their most pressing concerns. The elephants for all of the obvious reasons. Elephants gone... problem solved. The giraffes because the holdings was so old and insufficent for them to be housed in during the winter. That problem will be solved the minute Twiga and Mstari move over. However they will want us to expand the herd but cant do that if no one will give us a giraffe without being part of the AZA. I would also guess the whole Canadian Domain is a bit of an issue being so old and falling apart. That problem though might not be as pressing to them when the zoo says ya well we are about to move all of these animals to new exhibits when the Canadian Wilderness is up and running. Its in the distance but I think they would be understanding that the zoo needs to have the money to do it. Oh the health center was a concern... I remember that. But again thats being addressed. They cant hold that against us if its in the process of being fixed. Show the plans and Im sure they will be ok with it. The only other problems could be the hippos and Indo Malaya. The hippos will be the last area of the savannah which hasnt recieved a reno. Didnt during the savannah reno and not now with the giraffe conversion. I can see it being a potential concern. And Indo Malaya hasnt recieve major attention for as long as I can remember. But with the orang work that will be done over the next 5-10 years I can see them closing the whole pavilion and giving it a major facelift like the Rainforest got. I mean the orangs will likely have to have much more space to meet requirements so major changes will need to be made.
Just about everything else should be fairly up to date or at least acceptable. The Eurasian Wilds and for that matter Tundra Trek are brand new. The African Rainforest pavilion is pretty new. Australia has had many renos over the past while. The savanna is what 16 years old so I dont think it would be a big problem. That leaves the Americas pavilion, the Mayan Temple and the Indo outdoors which all might just be acceptable.
Im sure there is room for improvement everywhere but I would think if the city agrees to stay out of animal affairs then the zoo really wont have a problem getting back into the AZA. It was never a case of the zoo itself being a major concern. Its the governance of it.
I think based off some things I have read over time the elephants and giraffes were some of their most pressing concerns. The elephants for all of the obvious reasons. Elephants gone... problem solved. The giraffes because the holdings was so old and insufficent for them to be housed in during the winter. That problem will be solved the minute Twiga and Mstari move over. However they will want us to expand the herd but cant do that if no one will give us a giraffe without being part of the AZA. I would also guess the whole Canadian Domain is a bit of an issue being so old and falling apart. That problem though might not be as pressing to them when the zoo says ya well we are about to move all of these animals to new exhibits when the Canadian Wilderness is up and running. Its in the distance but I think they would be understanding that the zoo needs to have the money to do it. Oh the health center was a concern... I remember that. But again thats being addressed. They cant hold that against us if its in the process of being fixed. Show the plans and Im sure they will be ok with it. The only other problems could be the hippos and Indo Malaya. The hippos will be the last area of the savannah which hasnt recieved a reno. Didnt during the savannah reno and not now with the giraffe conversion. I can see it being a potential concern. And Indo Malaya hasnt recieve major attention for as long as I can remember. But with the orang work that will be done over the next 5-10 years I can see them closing the whole pavilion and giving it a major facelift like the Rainforest got. I mean the orangs will likely have to have much more space to meet requirements so major changes will need to be made.
Just about everything else should be fairly up to date or at least acceptable. The Eurasian Wilds and for that matter Tundra Trek are brand new. The African Rainforest pavilion is pretty new. Australia has had many renos over the past while. The savanna is what 16 years old so I dont think it would be a big problem. That leaves the Americas pavilion, the Mayan Temple and the Indo outdoors which all might just be acceptable.
Im sure there is room for improvement everywhere but I would think if the city agrees to stay out of animal affairs then the zoo really wont have a problem getting back into the AZA. It was never a case of the zoo itself being a major concern. Its the governance of it.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
As I said in an earlier post, I went to the zoo today for extra volunteer training, but I wasn't supposed to see any animals. Luckily for me, my parents were busy and couldn't pick me up for an hour and a half after the training ended! There aren't many new updates, but here are a few:
- the new window in the first outdoor panda exhibit makes viewing a lot closer and easier. Sadly no panda was in it today.
- in the Australasia pavilion I saw both the tawny frogmouth and little pied cormorant, which I haven't seen in a while
- the new feathertail gliders are adorable and were extremely active. After seeing how small they really are, I realized that the exhibit is actually a great size for them, because if it was any larger they might be hard to see.
- the prehensile tailed porcupines have been moved back to their summer exhibit by the exit of the Americas pavilion.
- the zebras were all still out together, but they didn't go close to each other. Jake was in the back of the exhibit alone, while the mothers and babies were spread across the rest of the exhibit.
- the new window in the first outdoor panda exhibit makes viewing a lot closer and easier. Sadly no panda was in it today.
- in the Australasia pavilion I saw both the tawny frogmouth and little pied cormorant, which I haven't seen in a while
- the new feathertail gliders are adorable and were extremely active. After seeing how small they really are, I realized that the exhibit is actually a great size for them, because if it was any larger they might be hard to see.
- the prehensile tailed porcupines have been moved back to their summer exhibit by the exit of the Americas pavilion.
- the zebras were all still out together, but they didn't go close to each other. Jake was in the back of the exhibit alone, while the mothers and babies were spread across the rest of the exhibit.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
The construction is finished in Er Shun's exhibit and you can go up to the glass.
My training went well. They just told us the basic rules and how to be a good zoo camp volunteer. I'm volunteering close to the end of the summer and it should be lots of fun!
My training went well. They just told us the basic rules and how to be a good zoo camp volunteer. I'm volunteering close to the end of the summer and it should be lots of fun!
Went to the zoo today, not much to report on.
- The new glass window on Er Shun's exhibit is a big improvement from before. Being able to go right up to the glass and take pictures helps with the reflection issues you'd find from taking photos through glass.
- I noticed that they covered the walkway to the kangaroos, behind the panda gift shop, with grass, not allowing anyone to cross through there. Found the decision quite odd, as now the only way to the Kangaroos is to either walk passed the Australasia pavilion or go over to the Kangaroos after exiting the pavilion.
- As someone mentioned the Prehensile-tailed porcupines are back outside. Managed to catch one of them up and eating. Hope a managed some good pictures to share.
- Sumatran Tigers exhibits were still under construction, so only one Tiger was on exhibit in the holding between the male and female exhibits. Also, it looks like the construction is mainly evolving the den floor.
- Mouflon were back on the zoomobile drive-thru. Looked like a mix of Males and females.
- Didn't see the new born yak. Not all the Yaks seemed to be on exhibit, so I'm guessing the Keepers took the newborn and mom off exhibit.
- Horses were chasing the Geese which was fun to watch.
- The new glass window on Er Shun's exhibit is a big improvement from before. Being able to go right up to the glass and take pictures helps with the reflection issues you'd find from taking photos through glass.
- I noticed that they covered the walkway to the kangaroos, behind the panda gift shop, with grass, not allowing anyone to cross through there. Found the decision quite odd, as now the only way to the Kangaroos is to either walk passed the Australasia pavilion or go over to the Kangaroos after exiting the pavilion.
- As someone mentioned the Prehensile-tailed porcupines are back outside. Managed to catch one of them up and eating. Hope a managed some good pictures to share.
- Sumatran Tigers exhibits were still under construction, so only one Tiger was on exhibit in the holding between the male and female exhibits. Also, it looks like the construction is mainly evolving the den floor.
- Mouflon were back on the zoomobile drive-thru. Looked like a mix of Males and females.
- Didn't see the new born yak. Not all the Yaks seemed to be on exhibit, so I'm guessing the Keepers took the newborn and mom off exhibit.
- Horses were chasing the Geese which was fun to watch.
I got my issue of collections the other day. Noticed a couple things in it.
- In November 4 Bactrian Camels were given ultrasounds. Sally and Alice are pregnant, Rebecca may be pregnant, and Eva doesn't appear to be pregnant.
- Some other births between November and March include 2 straw-coloured fruit bats, 4 Egyptian fruit bats, 2 crested wood partridges. There was also Moon Jelly polyps in the hundreds, and clutches of sailfin sculpin, Chinese gliding frogs. And finally groups of bedotia marojejy, and red-sided gartersnakes.
- In November 4 Bactrian Camels were given ultrasounds. Sally and Alice are pregnant, Rebecca may be pregnant, and Eva doesn't appear to be pregnant.
- Some other births between November and March include 2 straw-coloured fruit bats, 4 Egyptian fruit bats, 2 crested wood partridges. There was also Moon Jelly polyps in the hundreds, and clutches of sailfin sculpin, Chinese gliding frogs. And finally groups of bedotia marojejy, and red-sided gartersnakes.
SeanKinger6
Active Member
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Interesting the zoo is starting to push the fact Er Shun could be pregnant. This is the same video was used earlier in their who is cuter contest and there was no mention of her nesting then. It was described as playing which based on having watched other pandas on other zoos panda cams looks a lot like when they spray various scents around the exhibit to provide the panda with additonal stimulation.
Furthermore it would be a little on the early side for pregnacy to set in. While an egg may have been fertilized April 27 it will not implant until a month to a month and a half before the birth. Based on the dates the earliest a cub could be born is July 30th (give or take a day). That would mean the embryo just might have implanted but could still be 2 weeks from implanting if the baby were to be an early bird. Forget the fact that the cub could arrive as late as October 5th (give or take) and would be about 2 months from implantation. And all that is if an embryo was even created.
Odds are they have released this "news" now because they want as many people to come see the "pregnant" panda this Father's Day weekend as possible. That and they want to build a panda cub craze to captilize on the possiblity of a cub this summer... not that anyone will be able to see the cub until early winter.
Furthermore it would be a little on the early side for pregnacy to set in. While an egg may have been fertilized April 27 it will not implant until a month to a month and a half before the birth. Based on the dates the earliest a cub could be born is July 30th (give or take a day). That would mean the embryo just might have implanted but could still be 2 weeks from implanting if the baby were to be an early bird. Forget the fact that the cub could arrive as late as October 5th (give or take) and would be about 2 months from implantation. And all that is if an embryo was even created.
Odds are they have released this "news" now because they want as many people to come see the "pregnant" panda this Father's Day weekend as possible. That and they want to build a panda cub craze to captilize on the possiblity of a cub this summer... not that anyone will be able to see the cub until early winter.