Toronto Zoo Personal visions for the Toronto Zoo

Meaghan Edwards

Meaghan Edwards

Well-Known Member
There was a similar-ish discussion in the original thread for TZ but reading the threads for other people's at their zoos inspired me to make a thread for anyone's personal visions they have for the zoo :) These can be species you'd like to see, exhibits you'd like to see, etc.

This idea came to my mind the moment I got up and I kept thinking about it all day long; an idea for a "coping with urban wildlife" area:

I would really love to see some so-called "problem" coyotes on exhibit at the zoo. A nicely put together exhibit wouldn't have to cost a fortune; it would have to be escape proof of course but they're not exactly musk-oxen :p Having people observe their gentler, affectionate side as they interact amongst each other and combined with solid information about the species and how to coexist with them could bring one step closer to educating the public. Similarly perhaps the raccoons could be brought up near them as well, also with information on the species and how to coexist with them. Inside the Americas pavilion, there could also be another similar setup for native bats.

I strongly believe info combined with observing the animals on display and having the info on hand at the exhibit has a stronger impact than a bit on the news or a sheet of paper distributed door to door. Maybe these animals can also be used to test any new/proposed coyote or raccoon proof garbage containers, deterrants, etc, by seeing if they can truly get into or not as some zoos do with bears.

This area could be located in the Americas area, as I believe the Canadian Domain would be too far out of the way for a lot of people to get down to.

I'll likely be contributing some more ideas once I get them in my head :)
 
For the area near where the surplus Mandrills are held, I would like to see be turned into a "edge of the savannah" or scrubland (fynbos) area. The elephants could have their area expanded into this area, along with exhibits featuring African Wild Dog, Duikers, Klipspringer, Eland, Serval, African Wild Cat, Jackal, Bat-eared Fox, and a walk-through aviary featuring Cape Sugarbird, Orangebreasted and Double collared Sunbird. Maybe there can an outdoor area for meerkats on the warmer months and move them back into the indoor area during the winter.

Maybe there can also be a section devoted to the forested regions which can include the African leopard, Bateleur Eagle and Gymnogene.
 
A coyote exhibit would be cool and educate the public on the fact that coyotes are not "evil" creatures. If it were to be put in the Americas, it would be a shorter walk, but they need more/new exhibits in the Canadian Domain to get people to walk out there. There's hardly ever a lot of people there.
 
I would do the same thing as I posted in the gallery. The "African Expedition." I can't wait to see what the new part of Eurasia will look like. Maybe tiltle it, "Eurasian Excursian." or even "Expedition Eurasia!" The coyotes will most likely be exhibited once the zoo continues the construction on the North Zoo Redevelopment Project.
 
I love your concept sketch, Quartz! I need to sketch out mine.

A coyote exhibit would be cool and educate the public on the fact that coyotes are not "evil" creatures.
Click to expand...

Yes, just like the wolves -- and look how popular they are :)
 
IF the elephants are moved to a sanctuary, I have a few ideas of what can be done with their space.

I think this area, once modified, could make a good space for the hippos, giraffes. Really thinking ahead of myself, Cape Buffalo or Black Rhino.
 
It's been nearly 14 years since the African savannah was redone, I wouldn't be opposed to a bit of a facelift here and there, though it has aged very nicely and maybe petty of me, but I prefer the colour of the concrete rockwork now as opposed to how bright it was when it first opened :P Of course only after the other areas that really need work are done such as Indonesia.
 
Now that we are getting giant pandas, I'm hoping the renovated or new exhibit is really superb and not mediocre. I haven't been to the San Diego Zoo, but their panda exhibits are immersed in a bamboo forest (I'm assuming from pictures). I hope the Toronto Zoo can pull off something like that.
 
Its about 75% going to happen, check out the Future Developments thread for more information on this topic.
 
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