Hello, I will be visiting Toronto Zoo towards the end of July and I am wondering what is the current status of the Black-footed Ferrets within that particular zoo. Is there actually any ferret on exhibit currently? Where exactly in the zoo? Any advise to increase the chance of seeing that particular species active? I actually missed it a few years ago at the National Zoo and I am very keen on observing and photographing that species. Thanks in advance for your help, Jonas Livet, Les Zoos dans le Monde
Toronto Zoo Black-footed Ferret at Toronto Zoo
- Thread starter Jonas Livet
- Start date
hyena142
Well-Known Member
@Jonas Livet Hi there! In addition to the zoo's extensive black-footed ferret conservation program there is a small black-footed ferret exhibit in the Americas Pavilion. The exhibit is fairly easy to find, inside the pavilion you'll walk down an incline past some sea creatures such as anemones and stingrays and then turn a corner. On your left there will be a large exhibit themed to the American west with a loggerhead shrike inside it, the black-footed ferret will be directly to the right of it. It's a small exhibit that looks kind of like a tree stump. Since the ferrets are nocturnal the exhibit is dimly lit and the ferret inside is often sleeping. I've found going later in the day increases your chances on seeing it awake.
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit!
Hope that helps and that you enjoy your visit!
@Jonas Livet, I have had less luck than @hyena142 in seeing the ferret on exhibit but I visit less often. Its dumb luck for me if I get to see it and if it do I always catch it asleep. I would trust @hyena142 on timing though. The current exhibit ferret is a female named Jenna, unless something has happened and she's been replaced. Its always a retiree that ends up in the exhibit so they dont last super long in there.
The breeding center boasts 17 adult ferrets and 15 kits this year. No where near the largest collection but we are stuck north of the border from the main breeding center and the release site. We are lucky we get to participate.
Another chance to see a ferret would depend on just incredibly good dumb luck. Head to the health center which is located over by the polar bears, past the greenhouse around 10:30 to 11am. There usually is an animal or two in for a health check or procedure. It would be pure luck that day that you see a ferret. They will be inclined to keep and treat them in the breeding center to keep them as safe as possible so chances are extremely low but I stumbled in there one day and got to see a Vancouver Island marmot getting a health check. They dont even have a marmot on display so it was an incredibly lucky day. Probably one of the few Ontarians to see a live Vancouver Island marmot and not be on a trip to BC. So you never know you could luck into seeing a black footed ferret in for a check up. If you are determined to see one its worth a stop in there at the right time just in case. Worst case scenario is you see them treating someone else and thats still cool.
The breeding center boasts 17 adult ferrets and 15 kits this year. No where near the largest collection but we are stuck north of the border from the main breeding center and the release site. We are lucky we get to participate.
Another chance to see a ferret would depend on just incredibly good dumb luck. Head to the health center which is located over by the polar bears, past the greenhouse around 10:30 to 11am. There usually is an animal or two in for a health check or procedure. It would be pure luck that day that you see a ferret. They will be inclined to keep and treat them in the breeding center to keep them as safe as possible so chances are extremely low but I stumbled in there one day and got to see a Vancouver Island marmot getting a health check. They dont even have a marmot on display so it was an incredibly lucky day. Probably one of the few Ontarians to see a live Vancouver Island marmot and not be on a trip to BC. So you never know you could luck into seeing a black footed ferret in for a check up. If you are determined to see one its worth a stop in there at the right time just in case. Worst case scenario is you see them treating someone else and thats still cool.
@Jonas Livet, if you have any other questions or want suggestions please feel free to ask. We are a group who love to share tips for our favorite place.