Toronto Zoo Family Trees of Toronto Zoo Animals

Ring Tailed Lemur

I can’t provide info on any of the previous ring tailed lemurs the zoo may have had. Just the current group.

The zoo’s group from Emvale Jungle Zoo are all supposed to have been born in 2010 so its possible they are full or half siblings meaning because we didn’t have any other males from another source its very likely all but Ruby’s offspring were inbred. Keeping the inbreeding tradition alive.

None of the fathers is known because Larry, Lionel and Louie were with them and intact until the zoo decided to stop breeding them. Due to that I'm going to switch up my usual fathers first style and go with the moms first because they are the only known parent.

Lilly (F)
Born: 2010, Emvale Jungle Zoo
Transfer: 20 Jan 2011, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Leroy (M)
Lasonia (F)
Lenny (M)

Leroy (M)
Born: 5 Mar 2012, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Lilly

Lasonia (F)
Born: 24 Apr 2013, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Lilly
Transfer: 26 Oct 2017, Granby Zoo

Lenny (M)
Born: 24 Apr 2013, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Lilly
Transfer: 26 Oct 2017, Granby Zoo

Ruby (F)
Born: 2011, Earth Rangers
Transfer: 11 Apr 2012, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Rusty (M)

Rusty (M)
Born: 11 May 2013, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Ruby

Lucy (F)
Born: 2010, Emvale Jungle Zoo
Transfer: 20 Jan 2011, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Benjamina (F)
Joshua Tree (M)
Willow (F)

Benjamina (F)
Born: 10 Jun 2013, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Lucy

Joshua Tree (M)
Born: 10 Jun 2013, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Lucy

Willow (F)
Born: 18 Mar 2014, Toronto Zoo
Father: Unknown
Mother: Lucy

Larry (M)
Born: 2010, Emvale Jungle Zoo
Transfer: 20 Jan 2011, Toronto Zoo

Lionel (M)
Born: 2010, Emvale Jungle Zoo
Transfer: 20 Jan 2011, Toronto Zoo
26 Oct 2017, Granby Zoo

Louie (M)
Born: 2010, Emvale Jungle Zoo
Transfer: 20 Jan 2011, Toronto Zoo
Died: 2016, Toronto Zoo

Stevie (M)
I have zero clue where he came from or anything about him. Just know he was adopted to be an outreach animal.

I think I'm down to a few super short trees I can do. Once I post them still feel free to request species but the odds are probably pretty low that I can do them at this time. It can always change so do ask. Make me actively look.

At the request of a few others who I have talked to privately I am going to go through the short history of any of the other species I can scrounge up info for, much like the plains zebra one I already posted. So question for you guys. Do you want the histories right here in the trees thread or do you want a separate thread for the histories? I can see benefits and draw backs to both sides. It would be nice that this thread is a one stop shop but it would also maybe make it harder to find the tree info you want if I start posting a long list of histories. Like I said I still have a few more trees to post so you guys have a chance to provide me feedback before I start.

Probably also good that those who want only the trees can then just stop reading the thread if I continue here or totally ignore the new thread if we flip over to a new one.
 
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White-cheeked Turaco

The zoo acquired their third turaco species in 2006 with a single male, Bruce Lee. They previously had got red-crested turacos and violaceous turacos, of only the later remains. The following year a female, Linda, joined him. Together they had the first and only chick in 2010 which unfortunately did not live.

Bruce Lee (M)
Born: 13 Aug 2001, Jardin Zoologique du Quebec
Transfer: 6 Jul 2006, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: DNS (?)

Linda (F)
Born: 12 Feb 2005, Hancock Wildlife Research Center
Transfer: 30 Aug 2007, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: DNS (?)
 
Red-billed Blue Magpie

The magpies are a more recent addition to the zoo with Romeo arriving in 2008 while Juliette joined him in 2014. Unfortunately he passed without chicks and the zoo is phasing them out when a new home can be found for Juliette.

Romeo (M)
Born: 6 Apr 2003, Memphis Zoo
Transfer: 16 Jul 2004, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
28 May 2008, Toronto Zoo
Died: 9 Feb 2019, Toronto Zoo

Juliette (F)
Born: 30 Jun 2011, Houston Zoo
Transfer: 26 Oct 2011, Saint Louis Zoo
5 Nov 2014, Toronto Zoo
 
Sunbittern

The first sunbitterns were 2 sisters who arrived from the Montreal Biodome in 1997. Sonny was brought in for them one passed away soon after and the other was transferred. Sonny and Cher are to breed and if they produce chicks it would be a first for the zoo.

Sonny (M)
Born: 9 Sep 2008, National Aviary
Transfer: 22 Oct 2010, Toronto Zoo

Cher (F)
Born: 27 Nov 2006, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Transfer: 20 Mar 2007, Louisville Zoo
12 May 2010, Sea World Orlando
16 Nov 2017, Toronto Zoo
 
Black Crake

The first crakes were a sibling set of 4 (3.1) who arrived from Riverbanks Zoo in 1978. Despite the obvious inbreeding the zoo saw a failed clutch of 7 in 1981. Thankfully they stopped at that point.

In 2003 a new female arrived not to be joined by male until 2011. No chicks arrived. A new pair came in 2014 but the female lived just a year. Drake was joined by Blake in 2018. And they had a the first successful chicks in 2019 when they went 2 for 4.

Drake (M)
Born: 15 Sep 2013, Smithsonian National Zoological Park
Transfer: 30 Jul 2014, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: DNS (?)
DNS (?)
Unnamed (?)
Unnamed (?)

Unnamed (?)
Born: 1 Jun 2019, Toronto Zoo
Father: Drake
Mother: Blake

Unnamed (?)
Born: 1 Jun 2019, Toronto Zoo
Father: Drake
Mother: Blake

Blake (F)
Born: 12 Jul 2011, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Transfer: 26 Jun 2012, Erie Zoo
10 Nov 2016, Detroit Zoo
13 Feb 2018, Toronto Zoo
Died: 2020, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: DNS (?)
DNS (?)
Unnamed (?)
Unnamed (?)

For offspring see Drake's family tree.

I was able to bang out a couple of simple bird species clearly.

Oh side note, does anyone remember the name of kookaburra Karee's dad? I know the names of 2 males other than Jake. Bulbur and Rupert. One could be her dad. Both could be her brother. Anyone have any clue so I can provide some specific details on the last few kookaburras?
 
Stellar’s Sea Eagle

None of us are shocked that Alik and Katya are our first and only sea eagles. Arriving as juveniles its not surprising they have yet to have a chick. It wasn't until this last spring that Alik was finally considered fully mature. Katya has laid eggs the last 2 years but they were infertile, most likely because Alik wasn't mature enough to get his part of the job done. They are a promising pair because she has laid. In the next few years its very possible we could get a rare chick.

Zakhar/Alik (M)
Born: 19 May 2013, Private Breeder
Transfer: 6 Mar 2014, Toronto Zoo

Zarina/Katya (F)
Born: 12 Apr 2011, Berlin Zoo
Transfer: 13 Dec 2013, Toronto Zoo

Secretary Bird

Our first pair arrived in 1982. The male died the following summer while the female remained alone until her death in 1997. Kitani arrived in 2002 and despite being a valuable potential founder is being used as an educational animal. Shame. I would love to see the species moved to the savanna and rearing chicks.

Kitani (M)
Born: 2001, WILD
Transfer: 6 Jun 2002, Jardin Zoologique du Quebec
13 Sep 2006, Toronto Zoo
 
Linne’s Two Toed Sloth

The zoo switched over to Linne’s two toed sloths from Hoffman’s two toed sloths in 1985 with a group of 3 (2.1), including Buddy, who were joined in 1988 by a male and Kosmo and Sally in 1989. It wasn't until the arrival of Tania that the first sloth infant Ricky was born and he was followed by Bob.

Buddy (M)
Born: 1984, WILD
Transfer: 21 May 1985, Toronto Zoo
Died: 1 Sep 2006, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Ricky (M)

Ricky (M)
Born: 25 Jun 2006, Toronto Zoo
Father: Buddy
Mother: Tania
Died: 28 May 2009, Toronto Zoo

Kosmo (M)
Born: 1988, WILD
Transfer: 25 Apr 1990, Jardin Zoologique du Quebec
31 Jan 2001, Montreal Biodome
6 May 2010, Toronto Zoo
Died: 30 Aug 2011, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Unnamed (M)
Unnamed (F)
Unnamed (F)
Unnamed (F)
Unnamed (F)
Unnamed (F)
Unnamed (M)
Unnamed (F)
Unnamed (F)
Bob (M)

Bob (M)
Born: 18 Jun 2011, Toronto Zoo
Father: Kosmo
Mother: Tania
Died: 24 Sep 2018, Toronto Zoo

Tania (F)
Born: 15 Dec 2002, Tulsa Zoo
Father: Pokey
Mother: Gumby
Transfer: 23 Sep 2004, Toronto Zoo
Died: 29 May 2016, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Ricky (M)
Bob (M)

For Ricky see Buddy’s family tree.

For Bob see Kosmo’s family tree.

Unnamed (F)
Born: 1982, WILD
Transfer: 21 May 1985, Toronto Zoo
Died: 25 May 1987, Toronto Zoo

Unnamed (M)
Born: 1982, WILD
Transfer: 21 May 1985, Toronto Zoo
18 Nov 1988, Salisbury Zoo
Died: 12 Aug 2008, Salisbury Zoo

Unnamed (M)
Born: 1987, WILD
Transfer: INTERZOO
14 Nov 1988, Toronto Zoo
Died: 4 Feb 1993, Toronto Zoo

Sally (F)
Born: 24 Apr 1988, Salisbury Zoo
Transfer: 20 Jun 1989, Toronto Zoo
 
Laughing Kookaburra

One of my favorite birds at the zoo arrived in 1980 from Australia with 2 females. They were joined in 1985 by a male and 2 more females. In 1986 an original female died and the 2 females who arrived the year before were shipped out leaving just one breeding pair. The first hatching happened the following year. The first male had 13 chicks with his first mate (6 survived) and 21 with his second mate (18 survived).

In 2002 after the first male died the zoo imported a new male from Amsterdam. And he sired 2 more healthy chicks.

In total the zoo went for 26 for 34 with the chicks. Not to shabby.

I only have names for 5 birds. I will only do trees for them. I have not been able to find anything to tell me which male (Rubert or Blubar) are the breeding male. One is father and the other is son but that's as far as I got.

Rupert or Blubar (M)
Born: 2 Jun 2002, Artis Zoo
Transfer: 21 Oct 2004, Toronto Zoo
Died: 19 May 2010, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Professor Moriarti/Rupert or Blubar (M)
DNS (?)
DNS (?)
Unnamed (F)
Karee (F)

Professor Moriarti/Rupert or Blubar (M)
Born: 24 Feb 2006, Toronto Zoo
Father: Rupert or Blubar
Mother: Cloudy
Transfer: 22 Oct 2008, Tautphaus Park Zoo
16 Jun 2011, Miller Park Zoo
Offspring: DNS (?)
DNS (?)
Unnamed (F)

Karee (F)
Born: 18 Apr 2009, Toronto Zoo
Father: Rupert or Blubar
Mother: Cloudy
Fun Fact: Karee is the most genetically valuable female in North America.

Cloudy (F)
Born: 16 Mar 1997, Toronto Zoo
Father: First male 470
Mother: Female imported in 1995
Died: 27 Nov 2015, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Professor Moriarti/Rupert or Blubar (M)
DNS (?)
DNS (?)
Unnamed (F)
Karee (F)

For offspring see Rupert or Blubar's family tree.

Kat (F)
Born: 15 Mar 2000, Toronto Zoo
Father: First male 470
Mother: Female imported in 1995
Transfer: 14 Nov 2005, Assiniboine Park and Zoo
30 Sep 2010, Henson Robinson Zoo
Died: 20 Jun 2012, Henson Robinson Zoo

Jake (M)
Born: 30 May 2015 , Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Transfer: 5 Oct 2016, Toronto Zoo
 
Brush-Tailed Bettong

Bettongs first arrived at the zoo with 2 pairs in 1983 from the Bronx. While the females and a male only lived 3 years, they proved popular enough to import a new trio (1.2) from Australia in 1987.

Though the first group was mostly short lived they produced the first 3 joeys in 1984 with 2 of the 3 surviving. Between them and their offspring they went 25 for 30.

New blood arrived in the form of a trio (1.3) from LA in 2011. While 1.1 are gone within 2 years that 3rd female is our current female, Julie. And another male, Tucker in 2013. They were fast and furious with 3 joeys (Tucker, Gerald and Jemima) between 2014 and 2015.

With 33 total joeys born and 28 surviving bettongs have had a long successful run at the zoo. Pity they are being rehomed. I really did enjoy them in Edge of the Night.

Toby (M)
Born: 1 Jul 2009, Gladys Porter Zoo
Transfer: 27 May 2013, Los Angeles Zoo
18 Nov 2013, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Tucker (M)
Gerald(M)
Jemima (F)

Tucker (M)
Born: 31 May 2014, Toronto Zoo
Father: Toby
Mother: Julie

Jemima (F)
Born: 1 Oct 2014, Toronto Zoo
Father: Toby
Mother: Julie

Gerald (M)
Born: 15 Feb 2015, Toronto Zoo
Father: Toby
Mother: Julie

Julie (F)
Born: 10 Nov 2009, Los Angeles Zoo
Transfer: 29 Mar 2011, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Tucker (M)
Gerald (M)
Jemima (F)

For offspring see Toby's family tree.
 
Echidna

The zoo has had a long history with echidnas arriving in 1984. Our beloved Annie arrived then with another female. Does anyone remember her name? I feel like Adelaide but I might be confusing her with something else. Annie was alone from 1996 to 2004 when Norman arrived. Sadly they never produced a puggle. Man that would have been awesome. Though Annie is again alone at least we have hope because the animal plan did say they wanted to get more echidnas. They might not be successful but at least they will try.

Norman (M)
Born: 1965, WILD
Transfer: Cincinnati Zoo
18 Dec 1990, Los Angeles Zoo
27 Jul 1995, Cincinnati Zoo
18 Jan 2001, Cleveland Zoo
5 Nov 2004, Toronto Zoo
Died: 20 Feb 2013, Toronto

Annie (F)
Born: 1982, WILD
Transfer: Adelaide Zoo
23 Aug 1984, Toronto Zoo

Unnamed (F)
Born: 1982, WILD
Transfer: Adelaide Zoo
23 Aug 1984, Toronto Zoo
Died: 13 Aug 1996, Toronto Zoo

Ok that's the last of the trees I have been able to research for now. Please feel free to ask in the future as things could change and I might be able to scrounge up info on species not on the previously covered.

Full honesty I'm never going to update 99% of these trees in the future. I only actively keep the gorillas, orangs and giraffes up to date because that's where my interests lie. Maybe a few years down the line I will post those again with the additions to the family. The others don't count on it unless someone is dying to get an update and asks.

Tomorrow we will begin the histories. No one has told me how they think it should be posted so I think I will just continue here so we have a one stop shop for all of the zoos animals. If anyone objects I say speak now or forever hold your peace. Ok you can complain but I'm not going to change once I start so too bad, so sad. Any requests with where we start?
 
Starting the histories now. I considered starting with mammals I love but then I realized if I did I would get bored in rather short order. Going to try rotating around a little just to keep me interested. I also promise to update the former animal threads master list because I already found several additions that I can make.

Ocellated River Stingray

In 1983 3 male stingrays were adopted. They all had very long lives at the zoo lasting until 2008 when all three passed.

White Blotched River Stingray

The zoo picked up a single wild born male in 2005 and he passed in 2007. Another pair of females arrived in 2012 and they died in 2017 and 2019.

San Esteban Chuckwalla

I really thought we had had the species far longer but the first chuckwallas arrived in 2007 with a group of 7 (3.4). There was no breeding and now the zoo is down to a pair of elderly chuckwallas. The zoo is working to bring in a younger possible breeding group.

Fijian Banded Iguana

In 1995 a male iguana was imported from Australia. The zoo had him for 6 years before his passing. Then the zoo had a large gap until the current male arrived a few years ago.

Chinese Crocodile Lizard

A pair of crocodile lizards arrived in 1998 and were followed by two females in 2002 and a pair in 2016. The female has since died leaving just the male, Steve.

Rio Fuerte Beaded Lizard

A single female was borrowed in 1981 and she remained at the zoo until 1995 before returning to her home at Minolta Reptile World.

Black Tree Monitor

2005 saw the arrival for the first 2 female black tree monitors. The following year 2 males arrived. The remaining female welcomed her little brother in 2011 and in 2016 a possible mate in 2016. We may be down one male as one was supposed to be transferred out prior to Covid.

Prehensile-tailed Skink

In 1987 the zoo got its first group of 5 female wild born skink with a male joining them in 1989, another female in 1991, 1999, and 2001. It wasn’t until 2001 until the first offspring arrived. They have since gone just 5 for 10 but to be fair the 5 dead babies were all from the same failed litter.
 
Red-crested Turaco

They arrived literally days before opening with a wild born flock of 5 (3.2). The first chick hatched in 1986 and stayed around until 1999 being the last member of the flock at the zoo. The rest of the flock had died out just after her hatching.

Violaceous Turaco

The first violaceous turacos were a pair of females imported from Africa in 1989. A male joined the one female still alive in 2001. That female was dead 4 years later. A new pair arrived in 2006. It was this pair who had the zoo’s only three chicks in 2010. A male from the first 2 clutches lived, and a single chick from the 2011 clutch died.

Elegant Crested Tinamou

Arriving 19 years ago was the tinamou with a starting flock of 4 (3.1). They were reinforced by a pair in 2007 and a female in 2009.

In 2002 4 chicks failed to survive. In 2010 the first surviving chicks arrived with 4 of them making it. In the following clutches they are far more successful going 8 for 9. There have been no new chicks since 2013 as all of the birds left were related.
 
On to some mammals which I know most of us are more interested in. It's an absolute pity only one of the species I am about to post is still at the zoo. I would be thrilled to have them all back.

White Nosed Coatimundi

As Riverdale Zoo was slowly emptied a sizable group of coatis was transferred to Toronto in July 1974. There was 8 in the group (3.5). By 1979 they had all be dispersed to other zoos.

Asian Small Clawed Otter

A poor solo female otter arrived in 1976. Luckily she found a home with other otters the following year.

Kinkajou

In 1976 the zoo took in a single male kinkajou from a member of the public. He survived until 1981.

Ringtail

A sadly short lived species at the zoo. A ringtail pair arrived in early 1974. The male didn't survive the year but the female was at the zoo for 4 years before passing away.

Wolverine

This was an unfortunately short visit. In the spring of 1980 the zoo got a pair of wolverines from Mich-Ken Breeding Farms. They stayed until October and returned home. Either they were a summer exhibit or the zoo was helping out during a reno.

Black Footed Ferret

Time to get ready for some crazy numbers. I am going to make this simple for me and only tell you about the first group of adults then only focus on the number of kits and kit survival. If I tried to track adults in and out it would probably be red panda or snow leopard bad as black footed ferrets are frequently moved around to maximize genetics. A couple adults a year come and go.

In 1992 the first 9 (4.5) arrived to kick start breeding. Many more joined them in 1993, 1994 and 1995.

The first kids arrived in 1993 with 2 full litters, totaling 6 kits all dying. But 1994 see the first 5 survivors who will be released to the wild. They have since go 447 for 549 (plus whatever they produced in 2019 because I couldn't find the number but I could for 2020). Large numbers of those kits were released to the wild. Here’s hoping this year brings another health batch.

Black footed ferrets probably represents the zoos most successful mammal breeding program and possibly better than any bird. Reptiles are harder to say considering the Massassagua Rattlenakes and Blanding's Turtles have a combination of breeding and caring for wild laid clutches. They could statically produce far more. And the amphibians and fish species are just unfair to compare to.
 
Feels like this is a reoccurring theme but of this group only one species is still at the zoo which seems funny because for a North American zoo with easy enough access to wild born porcupine orphans we don't keep porcupines which most people wont see. However we do keep coons and skunks which are so common they are nuisance species in the city. Go figure.

Rock Hyrax
19 months before opening the zoo picked up its first group 13 (7.6) of hyrax. They stayed around just 3 years, all were dead or transferred.

Just because the adult group doesn’t last long doesn't mean they failed to breed though. The first litter arrived in November of 1973 with a healthy male and female. Until the group was gone in 1976 another 20 were born. They go 19 for 22 an impressive sounding feat. The problem is they are all dead too by 1976. Not one youngster ever leaves the zoo alive.

Brazilian Agouti

Another early choice for the zoo, the agouti showed up in 1973 with a group of 12 (5.7).

They quickly set to work breeding with 6 of 9 babies born in 1973 surviving. After that they produced another 129. In total they did fairly well compared to other species succeeding with 89 of 132 born, especially considering the naturally high infant mortality rates.

More adults arrived in the form of males in 1974, 1980, 1981, 1986 (2), and 1988. And f females in 1981, 1986 (3), 1988 (2) and 2010 (2)/

The last died in 2011.

Prevost’s Squirrel

The zoo imported its first 4 (2.2) squirrels from the wild in 1987. 2001

The first offspring was born in 1989 and was quickly followed by another that same year. A third litter of 3 arrived in 1992, and a fourth of 2 in 1995. Not a single one perished.

In 2002 a new group of 4 (2.2) arrived to mix up genetics, as they kept most of the offspring. Unfortunately breeding stopped and the last one died in 2011.

Beaver

I’m sure this is hardly surprising but the first beavers at the zoo were a wild born pair captured right here in Ontario just 2 months before opening day. They lived at the zoo for 6 years before passing away. Who knows how old they were to start with? Before they passed in 1989 a new male arrived and he was joined new wild born female arrived in 1993 as an orphan.

Only 4 beaver kits have been born at the zoo with 3 surviving. The first was a healthy male in 1979. Then a trio (2.1) in 1995 of which one died within 24 hours.

In 2004 good old Ward and June arrived. They are full siblings from Zoo Sauvage.

North American Porcupine

A wild born female arrived in 1972 and a second arrived in 1973. They would be rehomed in 1974 before the zoo even opened. An orphaned trio (1.2) arrived in 1976 but were quickly shipped out to Dublin. The zoo took in a young porcupine from a member of the public in 1989 and once it cleared the health check it was released. It wasn’t until 2005 that the zoo got a male who could go on display. He died after just 2 years. They tried to get him a mate in 2006, she died within 2 months.
 
Here's a random mix.

Eastern Black Rhino

The first black rhino arrived just days before opening day. She hung around for 2 years before shipping out. She was joined in 1975 by a very young male and female. With a future breeding pair they sent her off in 1976. Both calves were dead by 1977 which is sad because they were 3 years old and suspiciously died within a day of each other.

Eastern Massassaga Rattlesnake

It seems only natural that one of the zoo’s flagship species was there on day one. 14 (3.2.9) arrived from the ROM of all places. 8 more adults arrive over the next 2 years. Im not going to keep track of the other adults that arrive from here on out because I know there will be so much movement. Just want to focus on the breeding program.

The first hatchings happened in 1977 and the entire clutch of 3 survived and thrived. I think it is so fitting they kick things off with total success. Since then they have produced 116 hatchlings of which 93 lived. That may not be including any wild clutches incubated and released. Many very young snakes were also captured, raised up or possibly treated for injuries and released. That total only brings us to 2017 and we know there were several clutches last year too, as well as probably more in that gap.

Jamaican Boa

A far more recent arrival is the Jamaican boa who first arrived in a group of 7 (5.2) in 2013 from Chester Zoo. Toronto only kept 2 males while the rest went to Indian River the day after arrival. In 2016 the current females arrived, of whom died in 2020. The surviving female produced the first clutch in 2018 which considered of 7 hatchlings. 2 of the 7 were stillborn.

Burrowing Owl

Given how endangered the species is, it is surprising that the zoo has only been home to 1 pair who arrived in 2006. The male was dead by 2010 and the female by 2012. I had assumed personally that we had some sort of program going on for them at some point in the past, if even just a breeding group. Nope. Hopefully the zoo will reconsider this and get into the breeding and release program Calgary participates in.

King Vulture

Arriving just a month before opening was a single male brought in from the wild. He was joined in 1981 by a female from Granby. Sadly the male died in 1984 before they had much chance to breed. The female returned to Granby in 1990.
 
Black and White Ruffed Lemur

This one feels crazy to even list but we did house them for less than a month in the fall of 1980. Either we were treating the male and female for something or helping out to house them during a reno at Mich-Ken Breeding Farms.

Brown Greater Galago

In 1973 a pair of galagos arrived and was joined in 1974 by 2 more males and a female. They also picked up another 5 (2.3) in 1976.

A female infant was born in 1977. And by the time they gave up on the species 2 years later they had gone 8 for 10.

Senegal Bushbaby

More than a year before the zoo opened a trio (2.1) of bushbabies was imported from the wild. The female was shipped out to Calgary in 1979 after the 1978 deaths of her 2 male infants and one of the two males.

Trying again in 1984 the zoo imported a wild born pair who also went to Calgary in 1986 without infants.

Thick-billed Parrot

A twist of fate provided the zoo with a thick-billed parrot. It was seized by the RCMP in January of 1978 and placed in the zoos custody in May. Sadly by June it was dead. The one and only. Never even would have had time to go on display.

Kea

Arriving in 1973 straight from New Zealand was a pair of wild born Keas. The zoo changed its mind about keeping the species and they were gone by 1975.

Hyacinth Macaw

Toronto imported a wiled born pair of macaws in 1979. The male lived until 1995, while the female was around until transferring out in 2005.

They produced a male chick just a month before the males death.

The following year another male arrived and he lived at the zoo until his death in 2004. And a second male joined them in 2003, leaving with the female in 2005, thus ending a long run for the species at the zoo. I wish the zoo had kept with the species and work on a breeding program, even if it was one chick a year. They could still be on macaw island with the other species until breeding season. I am all for more colour and species when it comes to the macaws.

Toco Toucan

The zoo adopted a trio (2.1) in 1987. It was less than a year when they realized a pair was probably a better idea and shipped one male out. The female passed and in 1991 was replaced and again in 1993. With no chicks they gave up in 1996 when the last one dies.

Bearded Barbet

Three males were imported in 2002 from Africa. Two of the three are dead in 3 months while the third passed in 2005.

Green Aracari

A pair of aracari were adopted from the public in 1989 and they passed in 1993 within days of each other without producing a chick.

The zoo tried again in 2010 getting 2 females from Montreal and were joined by a male in 2013. He was alive until 2017 and one of the females has passed in the last 3 years. The zoo is hoping to be offered a new male sometime soon to breed with her.
 
Blue-grey Tanager

They have been off and on residents of the Americas since the arrival of a pair in 1988. They didn't have chicks and had passed by 1993. They returned in 2001 with 2 wild born males followed by a captive born female in 2004.

What was now a single breeding pair hit it off right away and the first chick arrived in 2005 and it stayed on until its death in 2013. A male joined her in 2012 but there were no more chicks. He departed in 2017 thus leaving us none.

Silver-Beaked Tanager

Joining the blue grey tanagers in 1988 was a pair of silver beaked tanagers. In 1993 5 new females were added. That move saw the reward of 5 different clutches in 1994. They went 1 for 10 unfortunately. From then until 1999 they went 2 for 8. The adults needed replacing so 1999 wild male arrived and was joined by a captive male (who died in 3 months). For the next 3 years they went 3 for 6. Breeding then stopped despite having a pair until 2014. Now its down to an elderly male if he's still alive as he would be 21 when the average life expectancy is 5.

Turquoise Tanager

Ok so the zoo just said give me all the tanager species you can in 1988 because this species also joined the zoo that year with a flock of 4 (1.1.2). By 1996 they were all gone.

The species resurfaces in 2016 with 3 females. A male joins them in 2018 but he died in a month. He was replaced in August 2020 (Transfers in the time of covid did exist, but from Winnipeg so not that impressive). So maybe, just maybe this year we could start seeing chicks for the first time!

Golden-breasted Starling

Disappointingly the first experiment with the starlings was a resounding failure. Three were imported in 1990 and 6 months later they were all dead.

Sixteen years later they tried again with 3 (1.2) and sadly the male died the next day. Four years later the current boys were brought in but breeding never happened with the females. By 2019 we were femaleless again. Shame we havent been able to breed them successfully as they are such a vibrant species that people would really enjoy.

White-rumped Shama

The first males (4) arrived in 1982. They were to be joined by two males in 1983 but they both died almost immediately and 2 of the original males passed at that time.. The following year 2 females arrived. Nothing happened. Another 5 arrived (3.2). Still there were no chicks. By 1992 all of them had died.

Hooded Pitta

A brief visitor to the zoo was the hooded pitta which first arrived in 2005 with a single male. After his death in 2011 the zoo tried again with a new male who arrived in 2014 and died just over a month later.
 
Bali Myna

Arriving a full year an a half before the zoo opens was a pair of myna. Unfortunately they were dead within 9 months. Ever resilient the zoo picked up another trio (1.1.1) in late 1974. The unknown bird passed in 2 years and the pair was gone by 1989 with zero chicks produced. Unfortunate as it was a cool species.

Azure-winged Magpie

The zoo brought in the magpies with a flock of 3 (1.1.1) in 1988. They added nother group of 3 (1.0.2) in 1992. A single successful chick hatched that year. Unfortunately by 1995 the zoo was down to a lone bird until its death in 2000, eliminating the species from the zoo.

Red-crested Cardinal

The cardinals arrived in 1985 with 2 breeding pairs. The first female passed in 1991 followed by a male in 1993 and the remaining pair in 1995. Unfortunately even with 2 possible breeding pairs over the course of 10 years there was never a single chick.

White-crested Laughingthrush

One of the earliest arrivals to the zoo was a large group of 17 laughingthrushes in 1972. Unfortunately they didnt last. A huge portion died within 2 months of arrival. Another small group died in 1973 and the rest died in 1974. Only one male survived the flocks die off. He would go on to live until 1979. He was joined by a single female in 1974 and they had a rough go with their first clutches in 1977. They went 2 for 14 and one of those died later the next year. Only the male chick had a long life at the zoo. He was with us until 1996. Between 1978 and 1980 they had another run of bad luck going 2 for 14 again. The females had long lives at the zoo as well. In 2000 the zoo brought in 3 (1.2) more to boost numbers. Unfortunately by 2003 we were just down to our last female who just recently passed away. No more chicks were born.

In total the zoo went 4 for 28 with their chicks. Not one chick ever left the zoo.

Plush-crested Jay

Tracing the history of this species is incredibly difficult. There was a pair who arrived before 1986 when one of them dies. The other follows in 1987. Thats literally all I know about the first pair. At some point they were replaced by a wild born pair who died in 2002 and 2005. Where my knowledge starts to pick up is in 2003 when a replacement female arrives. No chicks were born in those 2 years. She was swapped out for our current female in 2013 when it was decided to give her a chance to breed with a male in the Bronx.

The Artful Dodger arrived as that replacement and earned that name with her constant escape attempts from the America’s free flight aviary. She had to be moved into the current shared exhibit with the prehensile tailed porcupine and company to stop the escapes. Since the arrival of her mate Silent Bob in the past few years she was renamed Jamie since she no longer escapes. I for one prefer her original name.

Fairy Bluebird

Another opening day species was the fairy bluebird. The zoo adopted 6 (3.3) wild born birds, 5 of whom were dead within 3 months. They didn’t even make opening day. They only get to count because of the surviving male. He was joined in 1979 9 (6.3) more and more of them faired well but some did have short lives.

In 1981 the first 2 clutches of 2 fail.

To fix the low numbers issue they import another 9 (5.5) between 1986 and 1990. All of those were dead by 1992. They imported another female in 1994 and stayed until transferred out in 2000. They rebooted the program in 2007 with a new pair. The male died in 2007 so Ira was brought in. No chicks were produced and sadly some time during the shut down it seems Ira may have died. Not surprising, he was pretty old but super unfortunate because he was wild born yet never had a chick.

Tawny Frogmouth

As part of the zoos big push to get the Aussie animals in 1983 2 pairs of wild born frogmouths arrived.

By 1984 the first male chick arrived. He was followed by 22 more chicks including our lone male Makepeace. While a mate was brought in, in 2010 she left by 2012 with no new chicks. Over all they were extremely successful going 19 for 23.

Blue-faced Honeyeater

The zoo first adopted a pair of honeyeaters in 2009. They had a female chick in 2011 but since then there haven’t been any other chicks. The last one died in 2018.
 
Pygmy Marmoset

Starting in 1988 the zoo began keeping pygmy marmosets when they picked up 2 pairs from Sweden. Unfortunately 1 pair passed away rather quickly. The remaining pair did thrive.

The ill fated pair immediately went to work breeding with the first litter being born within 8 months of arrival. One didnt live but a female did reach adulthood.

The group increased by 3 (2.1) in 1990 when new adults were brought in. Just like in the first breeding they went right into breeding again with a litter arriving just 5 months later and saw one male live while his twin died. They went 11 for 25. They did very well to start with a lot of the infants thriving but then came a string of 10 dead infants. In 2002 the zoo changed things up and brought in a new pair which included our recently departed male Masala. Unfortunately they were just good friends and nothing more.

When Masala left for Moncton in 2018 (which Im sorry to report didnt end well with him dying 2 months later) the species disappeared from the zoo. In total 12 of 17 infants lived.

Parma Wallaby

In 1973 the first wallabies arrived with a group of 5 (3.2) from a variety of homes. The wallabies kicked things off in style with their first joey within weeks of arrival. Two more quickly followed in 1974. A third female came in 1975. Unfortunately they give up on the group by 1977 and another species is lost. Early days at the zoo were brutal for species sticking around.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Might surprise some but the zoo actually started out with Eastern grey kangaroos instead of our current Westerns. They adopted a pair in 1976 but they sadly died in less then 3 months.

Western Grey Kangaroo

When Eastern’s didnt work out the zoo waited until 1979 and tried again with Westerns when they adopted a trio (1.2). They were joined by another female in 1980. A replacement male and another 3 females arrived to join what is now a lone female in 1986. They are bolstered by a pair of females in 1995.

The new breeding group quickly gets to work with a joey that year but it didnt survive. It wasnt until 2 years later that they saw success. In total they produced 14 healthy joeys out of 18. These joeys would form the basis of the current group as mothers and grandmothers. I guess with Tori and Sydney’s joeys great grandmothers too.

Robbo joined in 2003. He would go on to sire 14 more healthy joeys. Not one was lost. He is the grandfather to Tori and Sydney’s joeys.

In 2018 Simon joined us and as we all know he has fathered Mr. Partington, Gosha and the new male joey.

Now you might think I can sort out the tree. Not a chance. I have no names to work with… well I do know some of the names but I couldn’t match 95% of them with the right animal so I wont even try. I don’t want to give people possibly wrong info.

Bennett’s Wallaby

This one is a massive hit. MASSIVE!!!

The first group of 12 arrived in 1973. Not all of those survived long and were reinforced by 3 females in 1979, 3 (1.2) in 1981, 2 (1.1) in 2003 and single males in 1991, 2007, 2017 and the 2 males in 2019.

They set to work right away breeding with the first 2 births in 1973. After that they just breed like bunnies. From 1973 to 2008 112 of 155 joeys survived. Many stayed at the zoo with a portion of those die somewhat young but 75 find homes elsewhere around the globe. Their genetics runs through most zoos in North America.

Common Wallaroo

London kindly sent us a pair as a new years gift in 1974. Well I dont know if it was a gift but they did arrive in early January. In just over a year they had their first female joey who thrived. 9 of 12 joeys make it. Unfortunately they went straight to inbreeding with the male being both the father and grandfather and great grandfather to some of his young. Probably good we let the species go if they weren’t interested in bringing in new genetics. By 1982 they are gone. Only that last one in 1982 was ever transferred out. The rest died there.
 
Apologies friends. I goofed and thought I had posted clouded leopards and lynx already. I have been back and forth through the pages several times and I cant find them. Let me fix that for you because I have the information ready to go. This is absolutely the reason why you should ask if there is anything else you want. I think I have everything and missed something. Or that I posted everything I have.

Clouded Leopard

The zoo has had a long history with clouded leopards with the first pair arriving in 1989. A trio of sisters followed and while the male was still alive breeding never happened. I don't know if they even tried. It wasn't until Mingma and Pavarti arrived that the zoo had the first cubs. I don't need breeding but I will miss the species. The most beautiful species of cat.

Mingma (M)
Born:5 Feb 2013, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Father: Tamoon
Mother: Sita
Transfer:20 Jun 2013, Nashville Zoo
27 Feb 2014, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
30 Jul 2014, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Charlotte (F) INBRED
Levy (F) INBRED

Charlotte (F) INBRED
Born: 13 May 2017, Toronto Zoo
Father: Mingma
Mother: Pavarti
Died: 2 Jul 2018, Toronto Zoo, Digestive issues
Fun Fact: Product of cousins breeding

Levy (F) INBRED
Born: 13 May 2017, Toronto Zoo
Father: Mingma
Mother: Pavarti
Transfer: 11 Jul 2019, Safari Niagara
Fun Fact: Product of cousins breeding

Pavarti (F)
Born:30 Apr 2013, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Father: Luk
Mother: Lomchoy-Gent
Transfer:27 Feb 2014 Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
30 Jul 2014, Toronto Zoo
Offspring: Charlotte (F) INBRED
Levy (F) INBRED

For offspring see Mingma’s family tree

Winnie (M)
Born:8 Mar 1988, Rare Feline Breeding Compound
Father: Kong
Mother: Cathy
Transfer: 30 Sep 1989 Toronto Zoo
19 Jul 1991, Private
8 Apr 1993, Toronto Zoo
Died: 10 Sep 1999, Toronto Zoo

Minnie (F)
Born: 1 Sep 1988, Rare Feline Breeding Compound
Father: Savak
Mother: Linda
Transfer: 30 Sept 1989, Toronto Zoo
Died: 24 Aug 1990, Toronto Zoo

Merriweather (F)
Born: 28 Jun 1993, Buffalo Zoo
Father: Gorgo
Mother: Bella
Transfer: 30 Mar 1994, Toronto Zoo
Died: 2 Oct 2013, Toronto Zoo

Flora (F)
Born: 28 Jun 1993, Buffalo Zoo
Father: Gorgo
Mother: Bella
Transfer: 30 Mar 1994, Toronto Zoo
25 Oct 1997, Espace Zoologique la Boissiere du Dore
Died: 21 Dec 2008, Espace Zoologique la Boissiere du Dore

Fauna (F)
Born: 28 Jun 1993, Buffalo Zoo
Father: Gorgo
Mother: Bella
Transfer: 30 Mar 1994, Toronto Zoo
Died: 9 Sep 2009, Toronto Zoo
 
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