Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo - Births, Deaths and Transfers 2015

It sounds like you had great zoo visits, cypher and SeanKinger6!

It seems like 2015 could be another good year for babies at the zoo with wolves, lynxes and cheetahs possibly giving birth.

The info about the plans for the African Savanna is very interesting and I'm excited to finally see the elands and wildebeest go on exhibit. I think zebras could work in the giraffe/eland exhibit, but I don't know if there is a need for multiple zebra exhibits. Also, even though it's too bad the wildebeest won't be part of the mixed exhibit, at least they may be going with the ostriches, which would still be interesting to see.
 
Wildebeest are notoriously aggressive species, so are often not kept in mixed exhibits, although there are a number of exceptions (typically larger enclosures). But the herpes reasoning sounds very odd. Why will the ostrich have to be kept in a separate house in winter? No space in the wildebeest house for two species?
 
Zooboy28 the reason the ostriches would have to be housed elsewhere over the winter would be a space issue in the barn. It is one of the smallest barns in the savanna which was silly planning considering how big the exhibit is.

Cypher any more info on the male giraffe?

When it comes to adding the zebras with the giraffes it would likely be Tori and Jake. Last I heard Luke and Leia were due to go to Parc Safari but maybe that fell through.

I had heard the wildebeest have arrived. It's not a breeding group. All three are males. Based on the size of their future barn I would guess it will stay a bachelor herd.
 
zooboy28, TZFan is right, the main issue would be space issues, but also that the Wildebeest will be treated as a quarantined animal, so no contact with others during winter.

No info on the male Giraffe. Completely slipped my mind to ask.

Last I remember hearing Luke and Leia were already shipped off to Parc Safari, I think some time late last year.
 
cypher said:
zooboy28, TZFan is right, the main issue would be space issues, but also that the Wildebeest will be treated as a quarantined animal, so no contact with others during winter.
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What you said doesn't make complete sense. Your initial comment was that the wildebeest would most likely be sharing an exhibit with the ostrich in the summer and were to be quarantined from any ruminant. Now, you say that because they are 'quarantined,' they can't have contact the ostrich or any animals in the winter. If they are exhibited with the ostrich in the summer, there shouldn't be problems with them sharing the barn in the winter. I think the bigger issue would be space in the barn.
 
adams7 said:
What you said doesn't make complete sense. Your initial comment was that the wildebeest would most likely be sharing an exhibit with the ostrich in the summer and were to be quarantined from any ruminant. Now, you say that because they are 'quarantined,' they can't have contact the ostrich or any animals in the winter. If they are exhibited with the ostrich in the summer, there shouldn't be problems with them sharing the barn in the winter. I think the bigger issue would be space in the barn.
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What the Keeper told me was that while on exhibit, the Wildebeest will be treated as quarantined animals with other Ruminants. Hence no mix-species exhibits with them and other Ruminants. During the winter, when the Wildebeest are off exhibit, they will be treated as fully quarantined animals. Meaning that even if there was enough room for the Ostriches and Wildebeest in the barn, the Wildebeest would still be separated from all other animals.

Sorry if I confused anyone, but that's how the Keeper, who's a senior Keeper, explained it to me.
 
adams7 said:
What you said doesn't make complete sense. Your initial comment was that the wildebeest would most likely be sharing an exhibit with the ostrich in the summer and were to be quarantined from any ruminant. Now, you say that because they are 'quarantined,' they can't have contact the ostrich or any animals in the winter. If they are exhibited with the ostrich in the summer, there shouldn't be problems with them sharing the barn in the winter. I think the bigger issue would be space in the barn.
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Yeah, that's where I was getting confused, its certainly illogical. The issue with lack of space makes sense, but not having a species "in quarantine" every winter.
 
Sad news from the zoo.

River otter, Maria, has died. She was old so no surprise. It opens up the possibility of the SSP giving us a breeding male to pair with Talise. She is wild born so they will likely want her breeding now that we have space for a breeding pair.

One of the outreach reindeers has died. No idea which one.

The electric eel in the Americas has also died.

On the positive side there is a kangaroo joey who is just starting to poke its head out of the pouch. Should be nice to see him or her bouncing around come spring. Just a shame its not a tree kangaroo joey but I will take what I can get. A joey is a joey.
 
zooboy28 said:
Yeah, that's where I was getting confused, its certainly illogical. The issue with lack of space makes sense, but not having a species "in quarantine" every winter.
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Yeah, the Keeper said the policy itself it an old policy, and doesn't make the most sense, but the new head vet wants it done this way.
 
TZFan, do you know why/how the Outreach Reindeer died?

Sad news about Maria. Do you think they will bring a new Male before the Canadian Domain move or wait? Or even just get a whole new pair?
 
I don't know which reindeer died, just that one did. I also dont know the circumstances.

If I remember right from the otter ssp there wasnt space for a male. Maria was too old for breeding but there was a note I think about Talise being a potential founder. That suggested to me they would want her breeding eventually. Now without Maria there isa perfect chance to get her breeding. Its been awhile since that ssp and the zoo might have different ideas. I doubt they would wait for the Canadian Wilderness. Thats at best what 5 years from ever starting... depending on the master plan they are cooking up. Talise would be too old for breeding then since she is 4 to 6 years old right now. Fingers crossed we get a male. Talise is wild born so she has the most mate options.
 
It's too bad that these animals have passed away. I also hope that a male river otter can be brought in. Additionally, I'm curious if the zoo will get another electric eel to replace the old one. I'm not sure how common they are in captivity, but I really hope the zoo is able to find one. It was one of my favourite species in the Americas Pavilion that never got the attention it deserved.
 
Based on research Mr Wrinkly and I have conducted together we think we have figured out who the incoming male giraffe will be provided all goes well. It should be Kiko, a 3 year old male from Greenville Zoo. But as we all know without the AZA it is possible for the plans to fall through.

In other news, Tanuck, the tapir, is leaving. A new home has been found for him where he can be in a breeding situation. Im not entirely sure where he was going but Im glad the zoo has finally found a home for him where he can contribute. Its a pity we dont have the space here to have him stay and breed but this is better than wasting is top ranked genetics. Two transfers have been cancelled thus far due to weather. He could be gone any time now so those of you going soon make sure to stop by and say goodbye.

With Tanuck's departure the zoo will be breeding the babirusa again. Olive and Bucky have the green light to breed. Muna is supposed to be heading for a new home in Florida at some point once the weather improves. Shes moving into a breeding situation so Bucky and Olive could be grandparents soon enough.

I also have learned that the spider monkey group is smaller than I thought. Parents Julie and Wally have died over the past several years. Julie in 2011 and Wally in 2013. Their second son Lucas also appears to have disappeared. I cant find out what happened to him but from what I know the zoo only has Mittens, Eve, Toque and Poppy. They are all full siblings so there will be no baby spider monkeys for the foreseeable future. Not that its really news or new but just info I learned which I thought was worth sharing.

There is a grey kangaroo joey. Its just started to emerge from the pouch. I would prefer a tree kangaroo or wombat joey but a joey of any species is exciting.
 
The news about the male giraffe is amazing! It will be nice to finally see more than two giraffes at the zoo again. I hope he arrives soon.

I am a little upset that Tanuck is leaving. Ever since I was a kid, he was one of my favourite animals at the zoo. It's nice to know though that he will finally be with other tapirs and possibly even breed. I really hope that when Indomalaya is renovated for the orangutans, the zoo finds a way to bring tapirs back. They would probably fit nicely in the gaur exhibit since I heard they were being possibly phased out.

Also, the babirusas breeding and a kangaroo joey are great.
 
I believe the orangs outdoor exhibit is to take over the gaur exhibit. If that's the case there wouldn't be room there for them.

However I still think there is hope when it comes to seeing tapirs return. The gibbons are the hinge to what I think could happen. Just speculation but Lenny and Holly are old and will pass sooner or later. Remember when the babirusa first arrived they were exhibit mates with the gibbons. The gibbons pitched a fit and abused the babirusa which necessitated the move. When Lenny and Holly are gone there are a number of viable options for the zoo. New gibbons or a replacement primate could come in and mix with either the orangs or babirusa. Either way could see the babirusa move back to the pavilion thus freeing space in the rhino house for returning tapirs. Its impossible to guess what will happen especially knowing the pavilion will be getting a full reno in the coming years.

Plus there is the new master plan which they are working on which could see changes to the rhino house. That master plan is supposed to include the Canadian Wilderness, orang outdoor, the Indo Malayan Pavilion, the hippos, the gorilla outdoor, and the Americas. The only thing that wouldn't have been touched in any significant way since the opening of the savanna in 1998 would be the rhino house. Who knows if it will be included but it would be weird if it was the only area to be left untouched by the time the new master plan was complete. It's not like the zoo doesn't have space there to expand in the area so that they could accommodate tapirs again. A new bigger barn could be built (very expensive but possible) and still expand outdoor exhibit sizes, especially since the tahr are on phase out. The tahr exhibit has always been a waste since you just get a brief glimpse of it as you wiz by on the zoomobile. The barn could be expanded to the off exhibit space and there would still be plenty of off exhibit space by taking over the tahr exhibit. And there is space in front of the barn to expand into as well as increasing the size of the outdoor yard that Tanuck and the babirusa use. The zoo could then house more rhinos and possibly still bring back a breeding pair of tapir.

While that's probably just wishful thinking on my part, it just goes to show there are options. Space could be made to bring tapirs back. Will the zoo have enough money to do it? Or the inclination? Those are the real questions. If they ever do getting Tanuck breeding will be a great way to ensure at least one animal can return. Toronto will own some of his young.
 
TZFan;858073 In other news said:
Knowing he was leaving I have looked in there three times in the last two weeks and found Bucky, the male Babirusa. Perhaps Tanuck is gone or just pulled from exhibit . . . or my timing is bad. Haven't bothered to ask a keeper.
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Mr Wrinkly said:
Knowing he was leaving I have looked in there three times in the last two weeks and found Bucky, the male Babirusa. Perhaps Tanuck is gone or just pulled from exhibit . . . or my timing is bad. Haven't bothered to ask a keeper.
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The babirusa and tapir used to be on a rotation, with one species having access in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Are you going to the exhibit at the same time of day each time? If Tanuck is still at the Zoo and they are crate training, they may changed that rotation.
 
I am aware of that but one of those days we visited on the way in and on the way out, well after the usual change.
Wish they could keep one of the more unusual-looking animals at the zoo; I have enjoyed seeing him doing some unusual-looking things too over the years.
I wish him successful breeding. Hopefully TZFan can keep us up to date on that.
 
A friend had told me after speaking to a keeper that his move had been cancelled at least twice due to weather. It is entirely possible if the weather has been good enough and transport could be arranged he may be gone already. That friend is headed back in the next week or so and they love Tanuck just as much as everyone else so I'm sure they will check in to see if he is still there. At this point all everyone can do is swing by and hope they get lucky enough to say goodbye.

I will do my best to keep track of Tanuck in the future. Step one will be to figure out exactly where he is going. After that I will keep my eye out for any and all news on him. He certainly seems to have a large fan base here on zoochat.
 
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