Haven't been to Toronto in a bit, but I'll try to add what I can with the updates I'v seen here, and from my last visit, starting with Indo-malaysia:
1. Malaysian Tapir-Build another exhibit for the Tapir. The Babirusa can have the current outdoor/indoor area that they share. The tapir can have a different exhibit to itself, next to the Rhino area, with some trees and a pool, as well as a holding paddock that may or may not be visible to the public.
2. Birds- If possible, add more foliage to the indoor Indian Rhino Pavilion. Aside from the pigeons, ducks and egrets, another possible avian option is Azure-winged Magpie, or some other large, flashy species that dosen't need so much foliage.
3. Malayan Woods-Mostly well done, but a possible replacement for the Clouded Leopard is Binturong or maybe Leopard Cat. Also make the second aviary a bit more viewable- it's practically blocked by foliage.
4. Aviary Birds-Let the currently caged laughingthrushes and fairy bluebirds, and maybe some tree ducks or mandarin ducks into the large netted area with the fish pond to fly around. Use the fairy bluebird's and laughingthrushes' cages for small mammal or reptile species, eg. squirrels, tortoises, etc.
5. Orangutang & Gibbon Area- Definitely give the orangutangs a larger area. If possible, mix the orangutangs with the gibbons, or switch them on and off. Definitely more foliage, if not climbing trees, just plants in general. Also add some fish like carp or barbs into the moats. Maybe add another small mammal or reptile species in another tank, apart from the tree shrew, at the oragutang viewing.
6. Fish-Maybe expand the long fish tank outward a bit, so the fish have a bit more room, and maybe add plants to the top and roots to the bottom to make it more realistic. The leaves can be partially screened so they won't sink to the bottom and rot.
7. Fish 2-The un-used fish tanks in the orangutang hallway opposite the tortoises can either be filled again with small fishes, or better, in my opinion, with reptiles or large insects. Blue Malaysian Coral Snake, Vipers, smaller tortoises, Orchid Mantises, large katydids, stick insects etc.
8. Gaur- Outdoor exhibit is fine, but if possible, add more trees along the edges, and maybe a pond.
9. Sumatran Tigers- Main Sumatran Tiger area should be expanded, so the tigers have more place to roam.
10. Signage- Maybe more signage about what the zoo is doing to help this subspecies, as well as more information on how visitors can help preserve the Indomalayan rainforest.
For Africa-
1. African Caves- Maybe add enough lighting to be able to see the signage (sometimes, the signs are unreadable). Add more cave-dwelling insect species, like cave crickets, scorpions, cockroaches, etc. Move the ngeges out into the African Pavilion, and fill the tank with some species of cave fish, like Golden Cave Catfish, or some kind of cave salamander. If possible, have more wall-tanks on the blank walls with small insects, reptiles or amphibians, or add more signage about caves and how they are formed.
2. Lemur exhibit- if possible, divide it up with some other species. The area seems a bit big for just half a dozen lemurs. Possible candidates include: Colobus Monkeys, Diana Monkeys, Drills, and other old world primates. Other lemurs, like Ruffed and Brown, can also be exhibited.
3. Pygmy Hippos- If possible, expand the habitat, so there is more water for the hippos to swim in, and maybe some hanging vegetation. Maybe mix in some fish like tilapia, as well as some small waterbirds like African Pygmygeese or White-faced Tree-ducks.
4. Nile Softshell Turtle- Maybe create a more realistic habitat for this species, with more vegetation on the island and not so much of those rainbow-colored toys (I saw those last time I went, and they looked completely out of place).
5. Lake Malawi- Too much fish in my opinion, but if it works for the fish and the visitors, I guess it's fine
6. Chameleons- Good signage, maybe some more diversity?
7. Meerkats- Fine, but maybe some more plants and "natural" looking burrows instead of those tubes?
8. Birds- Additional species could include: Great Blue Turaco, Superb Starling, Emerald Starling, Wood-hoopoes, Drongoes, Weaver Birds and Sunbirds (maybe in a smaller aviary).
9. Crocodiles- The crocodile exhibit is good, and I like the foliage and the medium-size pond. But sometimes, the interactive rainforest deforestation display dosen't work. Possible species for the small tanks include Mantella Frogs, Tomato Frogs, Clawed Frogs, salamanders, tropical Toads, Giant African Land snails, mantids, or stick insects.
10. Gorillas- Sort of hard to add any more new things to, but if possible, expand a outdoor yard where there are trees and other plants. This could join up to the large climbing area, and replace the old, (in my opinion) not-so-attractive bed of wood shavings.
Savannah-
1. More animals- Nyala, Topi, Gemsbok, Springbok, Gazelles, Gnu, Blue Cranes, Kori Bustard, Saddlebill Stork, Pelicans etc.
2. Elephants- After the elephants are moved out, the giraffes can be moved there and mixed with a passive species of antelope, like Impala or Springbok.
3. Research Station-The small research station at the side of the path (not the large one at the intersection). There is a small farm-looking thing on the other side, which can be turned into a warthog exhibit, with the right moderatons. The interior of the hut can also have one or two tanks, containing Baboon spiders or scorpions.
4. Warthog Exhibit-Turn into exhibit for Bat-eared Fox or jackals or some other small carnivore.
5. Giraffes- Providing that the giraffes are moved over to the former elephants, the current giraffe exhibit can be turned into a exhibit divided up into three sections, one containing bongo, which will have more foliage and trees and rocks for them to hide behind. A second will contain Bontebuck, and a third will contain Addax. These second two aren't as heavily planted, and have open areas for the antelopes to roam.
5. Sable Antelopes- With refurbishments, can be used for African Painted Dogs. Would add more grass, a wooden platform, one or two trees for clawing, a small water-hole, and two small caves for the animals to rest or sleep in. Sables can be moved to the Savannah.
6. Zebra Exhibit on the Hill- Fine, maybe add some more trees for shade.
7. Penguins- The bird variety is okay, but maybe add some more realistic "Seaside" things, like real rocks, and the concrete should be covered up with gravel, if possible. Also, maybe in the underground viewing, add some small tanks with seaside life, like small fish and crustaceans, and also some signage about Africa's coastline.
Canada-
1. Raccoon- This exhibit can be enlarged and converted into a Coyote exhibit. This exhibit will have signage explaining how humans can coexist peacefully with coyotes and how to prevent a coyote attack.
2. Lynx- Seems a bit too small for a lynx. Maybe change this exhibit to Mink, Marten or Fisher.
3. Cougar and Bald Eagle- Also a bit small, so at most, they can be expanded a bit.
4. Grizzly- I remember someone saying that the grizzlies kept clawing, smashing and generally annihilating all the vegetation, but if it's possible, maybe plant some more hardy plants? And the if they're going to keep those big pipe structures, cover them up a bit with a fake hill or something, they look kind of ugly standing on their own.
5. Pond- Personally think this area is great, but are the feeders being re-filled? Maybe also create a small "wetland central" with exhibits displaying frogs, fish, snakes, insects, and signage about the importance of wetlands to native animals.
6. Moose- Probably add more shade and some water for them to swim in.
6. Elk and Bison- Seems okay for these two species, but maybe two or three trees for more shade (?)
7. Old Muskox Exhibit- Don't know..maybe put the elk here, separate from the bison? Or maybe add Pronghorn...the open spaces might suit them.
Americas (Including Tundra Trek)
1. Entrance Exhibit- Feel it's a bit small for large raptors, and a bit high for ground-dwelling Pheasants. Maybe clear out some of the dense vegetation and make it a home for kestrels, pileated woodpeckers, something of that sort?
2. Aviary- Good, potential future species can include: aracari, currasows and some other medium-sized bids
3. Tamarin/Marmoset/Saki exhibits- Good mix of different rainforest animals. Potential species to add can include other tamarins, as well as ground-dwelling animals like pacarana.
4. Exhibit for Prehensile-tailed Porcupine- Good, but maybe some more vegetation, and some substitute for the ugly wire.
5. Rufous-banded Owl- This exhibit always seemed too small for two large owls. A good replacement might be some kind of medium to small-sized rodent, like Tuco-tucos.
6. Prarie Dog- Good, I like the mix for them and Burrowing owl, but the Ferret area is WAY too small...or is there a larger portion that you can't see?
7. Crabs, Sea Urchins, Octopus- Okay, but not very large, and the occupants are often off display. Not much that you can change there though, if you didn't re-design that whole wall.
8. Amphibians- Good, I like this area, but maybe more signage? (Last time I went, there wasn't any...correct me if im wrong) There are a lot of fascinating creatures which visitors might want to know about...poison dart frogs, suranium toads, and axolotls. The "labratory" looking thing with the tanks for small frogs and salamander is okay, but probably better if they got the inhabitants a actual tank exhibit.
9. Bug Hall- These are okay, but the alligator and snapping turtle areas seemed a bit small. Maybe build the snapper a separate pond, and combine the old snapper tank and alligator tank to make the alligator's larger?
10. Aviary- Pretty good, but the tank of the softshell turtle/spotted turtle tank is often in need of cleaning of algae (not really a change, just maybe more frequent maintenance?
11. Wetlands- Good, love the signage, the beaver den, etc. Maybe add fish again? Bass, Sunfish, Trout, would work. Also, if possible, add some vegetation to the indoor otter area...it looks a bit like a cave.
12. The rest of the indoor area (snakes, fish, lizards) is pretty good. The scorpion tank is tiny though..maybe a bit larger tank on the side of a wall? Not huge though.
13. Former Saw-whet exhibit- Would work for a small squirrel species. Maybe Red, and signage explaining the threat they're receiving from Greys.
14. Malayan Temple- Don't particularly like the parrots confined to a tiny little post, maybe let their primaries grow back out and fly them in the bird shows? The rest is relatively okay..water birds might do well with the capybaras, like Black-necked Swans. Spider Monkey and Jaguar are okay, but the jaguar enclosure seemed a bit small..if possible, maybe enlargen it? And the water should be cleaned up more often...it smells like bad supermarket products in summer.
15. Old Dall's Sheep-Either add the Sheep back, or Bighorns or Mountain Goats, or turn it into some kind of climbing structure or display for Tundra Trek.
16. Tundra Trek- Good. I love how they gave the polar bears a great grassy enclosure with plenty of info. Never seen a polar bear next to grass before..some people just automatically guess that they need only ice and snow...Wolves, foxes, owl, caribou are good, but the geese might do better with more marsh grass and vegetation?
17. American Wetlands- A nice touch, maybe have that bug exhibition with the volunteer showing the local insect species more often?
Australia-
1. Outdoors Aviary- Like it! Maybe more species, just cold-resistant ones? Just the one kookaburra and Crowned Pigeon seem a bit lonely.
2. Indoors Aviary- Good, if possible more variety..? But shouldn't get too cramped. Tree kangaroos are also good, and people love watching them.
3. Vivariums- Good, maybe just more diversity, and more exhibits, if there's room.
4. Coral Reef Area- Also good, but the tanks are not that impressive for something they worked that long on..maybe add oddball animals like nudibranches, wobbeggongs or sea dragons to spice it up?
5. Komodo Dragon- Good, but maybe more signage explaining their feeding habits?
6. Aussie Walkabout- Cool experience, maybe add more signs about kangaroos?
7. General- Maybe, if possible, bring back the Edge of Night Exhibit. Also add more marsupials, like Quolls, Devils, Potoroos, Bandicoots, etc. if the zoo can obtain them.
Kid's Zoo-
1. Show Animals- Okay, but the pens seem a bit like prisons..but I guess it's okay since the animals in there are used to the conditions and kept for the show anyway, and get time to run/ fly around.
2. Prairie Dogs- More prairie dogs? Last time I went there was only one.. And maybe have a kind of underground tunnel that can be viewed through class? Instead of the glass domes that are a bit too tall for little kids. And the whole pop-up-in-front-of-a-prairie-dog thing seems kinda cliche.
3. Ferrets, Rabbits- Cute domestic animals, great for younger kids, but the ferrets are sometimes hard to see..maybe just keep those for the show and replace with guinea pigs?
4. Aviary- Okay, but the slide needs to be made easier to slide down..grease it up or something. To slide down it now is like trying to slide down a big chute of sandpaper.
5. Desert, Wetland, Backyard- Okay, but sort of barren, with only some statues and climbing structures. Not much that can be added though, as there's not that much space to begin with. Maybe open that bug display more often. I remembered there was a occasional display of insects in a small hut-type building.
6. Farm Animals- Maybe clean up more often? Otherwise, it's okay. Maybe let visitors feed the animals.
Eurasia-
Since it's being worked on now, I'll only suggest a few animals or exhibit changes
1. Snow Leopard- In my opinion, this is fit for maybe a small wildcat, but certainly not two massive, majestic leopards. Definitely needs to be made larger, or just make a entirely new exhibit for the leopards and give this exhibit
2. Oryx- Since the last oryx died (or did i hear wrong?), replace them with Pere Davids Dear, or maybe Sika Deer. If it's Sika or Fallow, there can be a walk-in, like in Marineland.
3. General Additions (These probably need new exhibits)- Red-crowned Crane, White-naped Crane, Saurus Crane, Great Bustard, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotted Dove, Golden Pheasant, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Brown Eared Pheasant, Sea-eagles, Owls, Whooper Swans, Swan Geese, Palla's Squirrel, Eurasian Red Squirrel, European Wild Boar, Takin, Goral, Tufted Deer, Muntjacs, Grey Wolf, Wildcat, Palm Civet, Raccoon Dog, Asiatic Black Bear, Hog Badger, Kiang, Red Deer, Roe Deer, Sambar, Axis Deer, Ibex, Tahr, Markhor, Argali, and Saiga Antelope.
Phew, that was long..anyone have anything to add or comment on? I haven't been to the zoo in a while, so feel free to correct me if I said I wanted to add something or change something that the zoo already has XP Thanks.
