Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo - Births, Deaths and Transfers 2015
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Actually another friend was given more answers. Not only has Kiko got to have 3 good fecal samples, clear of worms, he has to give a 'voluntaryy' blood sample so he can be tested for brucellosis. Kiko can be a little stinker. He probably doesn't want to give a blood sample.
bluebadger2010
New Member
Was at the zoo yesterday and found out a few things:
Kiko made it past the 30 days no problem but some of the keepers are still working with him so that they can draw blood and have it tested and get the all clear before he can join the ladies.
It sounded like the training would take another week or so and that once they draw the blood it should only take a couple days to send it off to the lab and have it tested.
It was really interesting to hear the keeper describe the training process and how he uses a pen or something like that to just get Kiko familiar with the poking in the jugular.
The cheetah run is something that is still comming "soon". They've had a number of mechanical issues with it and it's being serviced almost every day. It sounds like the cheetahs are okay with it but it's just the mechanical issues at this point.
There were still signs up about a lot of the animals being indoors due to the avian flu situation but the Ostriches were out and one female was trying to climb over the rocks almost to get at the little viewing hut and as close to people as possible. I've never seen it so close up before. The male also came over for a visit.
A number of the other birds were also out including penguins. It seems like it wasn't all birds but that many of the bigger ones were outside. Still no peacocks roaming the zoo like usual.
Kiko made it past the 30 days no problem but some of the keepers are still working with him so that they can draw blood and have it tested and get the all clear before he can join the ladies.
It sounded like the training would take another week or so and that once they draw the blood it should only take a couple days to send it off to the lab and have it tested.
It was really interesting to hear the keeper describe the training process and how he uses a pen or something like that to just get Kiko familiar with the poking in the jugular.
The cheetah run is something that is still comming "soon". They've had a number of mechanical issues with it and it's being serviced almost every day. It sounds like the cheetahs are okay with it but it's just the mechanical issues at this point.
There were still signs up about a lot of the animals being indoors due to the avian flu situation but the Ostriches were out and one female was trying to climb over the rocks almost to get at the little viewing hut and as close to people as possible. I've never seen it so close up before. The male also came over for a visit.
A number of the other birds were also out including penguins. It seems like it wasn't all birds but that many of the bigger ones were outside. Still no peacocks roaming the zoo like usual.
I don't know if they have a restraint for the giraffes, likely but I just don't know. They may not want to startle him. They also may not be able to move him to the part of the barn where it is until he has fully cleared quarantine. It could be located in an area the girls occupy and until they get that all clear from the blood test they may not want him in that space. Could be anything really. Just have to be patient. He will be introduced to the girls and go on display eventually.
Good point about the possible location of the GRD. Female giraffe would need the GRD worse. It's very useful if there are certain types of obstructed labor in giraffe.
It's highly unlikely that Kiko has brucellosis, but the effects on female animals are dire. So can't fault the zoo there.
It's highly unlikely that Kiko has brucellosis, but the effects on female animals are dire. So can't fault the zoo there.
It is Zohari's birthday. If you are interested in other birthdays Shoganai I have a list of those and am happy to share.
Hopefully Tom was able to get the job done today. I really want to see a rhino calf and I am far from picky about the species. I know rumor has it Indian Rhino, Asha, is expecting but one can never have too many rhino calves.
Hopefully Tom was able to get the job done today. I really want to see a rhino calf and I am far from picky about the species. I know rumor has it Indian Rhino, Asha, is expecting but one can never have too many rhino calves.
Rhino introductions should be done with informed judgement. The cows have only been at Toronto for one season or so. Do not expect miracles right away, but rest assured that it looks good and promising. It is now just a game of wait and see .., perhaps more introductions on the next cycle lines and see when the females start showing more aggressive behaviors towards the bull's attentions - this is usually a good indicator for mating having succeeded -.
I cannot and will not - at this time - state anything definite with regards to the Toronto GOHR!
You're right Kifaru Bwana, it is hard to get excited about a possible Indian Rhino calf. Rumors of a pregnancy are nice. Little bit of hope. But we still need to be cautious. Asha and Vishnu have been together a long time with lots of breeding attempts and all its produced is a stillborn premature calf years ago. Maybe we will get lucky but it could just as easily be another disappointment.
Two Malaysian Painted turtles have hatched. They will be off display for several more weeks as they grow before going on exhibit. The zoo is only one of 5 zoos in North America to breed them successfully, an achievement they have repeated 36 times since 2002.
A friend heard on Sunday that he has had his blood taken and they are waiting for results. Still not expected out until early August. Hopefully that means the holiday weekend, which is August 1st to 3rd. I had heard earlier late July or early August.
This is still better than I heard from the lead keeper for that area last fall when the exhibit opened. He said a young male was coming in the spring and it would likely be late August before the public met him. That included 90 day quarantine, then 30 days was authorized.
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Zebra coming from Calgary (expected for about 2 years) has arrived. Keepers were expecting a younger, ready to start breeding F but she is 16 and has never bred. Not usual they say but there is hope she will breed.
White Rhinos - talking to the lead keeper of their area on Friday, he said blood and fecal tests on them are not as reliable as on Indian, so although her tests are negative, Sabe has not cycled since she was bred last October so they have some hope. Unfortunately if she is not pregnant there may be some problem.
Indian Rhinos - keepers and the reproductive specialist are still 90% certain Asha is expecting - testing, lack of cycling, and her behavior since October are the indicators. Ultrasound would confirm but she has not been able to have one yet (as of 7/13). This is referred to in above posts as rumour but it is directly from the people involved and was told to about 80 people at the Rhino Awareness dinner, which I attended.
Kudu will give birth within two weeks, keepers think, and she sure looked big to me on Friday.
A new Great Horned Owl and Common Barn Owl have been in the Americas outdoor enclosures for about a week.
African Otters - both were in the exhibit when I passed by. F sleeping in the hollow log and M sleeping outside. Tried to see thru my zoom if she had a pup with her but impossible to tell, and unlikely anyway.
Bleeding Heart Doves, acquired last fall, have their second chick.
Lynx kitten is not out as of today - a friend was there and heard that "management" is still not satisfied with the safety of the enclosure, so they may put additional mesh on it. Ugh - it has more than enough from a visitor standpoint.
White Rhinos - talking to the lead keeper of their area on Friday, he said blood and fecal tests on them are not as reliable as on Indian, so although her tests are negative, Sabe has not cycled since she was bred last October so they have some hope. Unfortunately if she is not pregnant there may be some problem.
Indian Rhinos - keepers and the reproductive specialist are still 90% certain Asha is expecting - testing, lack of cycling, and her behavior since October are the indicators. Ultrasound would confirm but she has not been able to have one yet (as of 7/13). This is referred to in above posts as rumour but it is directly from the people involved and was told to about 80 people at the Rhino Awareness dinner, which I attended.
Kudu will give birth within two weeks, keepers think, and she sure looked big to me on Friday.
A new Great Horned Owl and Common Barn Owl have been in the Americas outdoor enclosures for about a week.
African Otters - both were in the exhibit when I passed by. F sleeping in the hollow log and M sleeping outside. Tried to see thru my zoom if she had a pup with her but impossible to tell, and unlikely anyway.
Bleeding Heart Doves, acquired last fall, have their second chick.
Lynx kitten is not out as of today - a friend was there and heard that "management" is still not satisfied with the safety of the enclosure, so they may put additional mesh on it. Ugh - it has more than enough from a visitor standpoint.