The commenter the Zoo was responding to indicated that the lynx kitten appeared fine when they saw it on the way into the Canadian Domain, but an hour later on their way back, it was injured. I'd say its quite possible that the kitten injured itself while playing, but because of the bone density issue, the injury ended up being severe enough to warrant euthanasia. Whatever happened, its definitely sad, and hopefully its not something genetic.
Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo - Births, Deaths and Transfers 2015
- Thread starter TZFan
- Start date
Jake.Roberts
Well-Known Member
Agreed, very sad 
It's sad he didn't survive but at least his brief life gave mom Ember a chance to learn how to be a good mom for future litters and the zoo knows Ryan and Ember can breed. I do agree though and hope the condition isn't something hereditary that would prevent the zoo from further breeding attempts. Maybe we will get to see kittens next summer from Ryan and Ember.
Last year I learned from keepers at TZ that a Snow Leopard with one or both parents wild-born was coming to TZ from Tama Zoo in Japan in the spring, later the fall.
Recently I heard from a Japanese source that a four-year-old named Ena will be taken off exhibit this week and leave in early October for Toronto.
Actually a Japanese student who stayed with me a few years ago and now lives in Tokyo went to the zoo and asked about some info. that I heard from another source. That source had more details about dates and parentage but it has not been confirmed.
Recently I heard from a Japanese source that a four-year-old named Ena will be taken off exhibit this week and leave in early October for Toronto.
Actually a Japanese student who stayed with me a few years ago and now lives in Tokyo went to the zoo and asked about some info. that I heard from another source. That source had more details about dates and parentage but it has not been confirmed.
Interesting, Last time I spoke with the Keepers about the Snow Leopard coming from Japan, they had no date. Although that was a couple months ago. Good to here that there may be some progress in the area.
Also, not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but I noticed that the Feather Gliders have been removed from there exhibit. Coincidentally the Frilled Lizard is back on exhibit.
Also, not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but I noticed that the Feather Gliders have been removed from there exhibit. Coincidentally the Frilled Lizard is back on exhibit.
Red river hog update... our new female Tisa is now on exhibit. She has yet to be introduced to Philip. Casey has been moved to Safari Niagara where she will be paired with another male for breeding. Considering Casey and Philip weren't producing hopefully the change up will be good for both of them and Red River Hogs in general.
This is from a few of weeks ago and I thought I had heard differently. Today talked to a keeper who said there are four younger pigeons who are all able to breed. They have laid some eggs but the first ones were ignored and removed. Later eggs were removed because the zoo doesn't want more and the species is common enough.
Also learned the remaining Emu died earlier in the summer. They will not be getting more any time soon. I imagine no area will be getting outdoor birds in the near future because of the possibility of Avian Flu.
Today Eurasia keepers confirmed Ena, born May 2011, is scheduled to leave Tama Zoo for Toronto Oct. 5. She was born there May, 2011 and her father is wild-born, her mother captive-born in Japan, so Ena will bring valuable genes to North America.
She will have 30 days quarantine and is expected to be on exhibit in November. If the introduction to Kota goes well they might be together for the breeding season in early 2016.
This filtered down to Toronto keepers in the last few days.
Both were outside today.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
The new snow leopard and red river hog are exciting. Hopefully both species will breed in the near future. I'm especially excited to see Ena.
I'm disappointed that the zoo isn't getting another emu. I understand the reason why, but it will be very strange to see the Australasian Outdoor exhibit without one.
I'm disappointed that the zoo isn't getting another emu. I understand the reason why, but it will be very strange to see the Australasian Outdoor exhibit without one.
I just saw photos of red river hogs Philip and Tisa on exhibit together now that you mention it Mr Wrinkly. I was about to post that but you beat me. They seem to be getting along well.
Like I said about the pigeons if nothing has changed that is what we had at the time. Perhaps they picked up a family group to start and swapped some. Anything is possible.
Bummer about the emu. I was at zoo camp as a kid and got to be within inches of the former pair Ozzie and Harriet and they were the delight of my day. I have always liked the species. If the holding is still as small as it was when I was a kid it may be a space issue causing the zoo to not replace them.
More sad news out of the zoo... wolf, Odin, has died. He wasn't doing well. Went into the health unit for care. They must have thought he was feeling better but then he died. Not surprising given the brothers age. That leaves the Tundra Trek pack at two, Thor and Loki. The death will likely encourage the zoo to consider moving the younger Domain pack.
Beaver, Ward, was feeling poorly himself but is already back on exhibit with June.
A pouch check on tree kangaroo, Nokopo, turned up nothing.
There has been no changes with panda, Er Shun, and the window for the birth is winding down... November 10th is approaching.
Red panda breeding at the zoo has likely come to an end for the time being... not that its been successful. Cassie has been designated do not breed. Apparently if a female hasn't reproduced by age 8 (she is) then its likely she never will. However I did discover Ralphie is not only a father but a grandfather with is granddaughter being paired for breeding this winter. I had thought he was an unproven breeder. I was wrong. Thanks Adams7 for asking me a question that lead down an interesting, unexpected path. Love when that happens. I had no clue Ralphie could be a great grandfather by next summer.
Like I said about the pigeons if nothing has changed that is what we had at the time. Perhaps they picked up a family group to start and swapped some. Anything is possible.
Bummer about the emu. I was at zoo camp as a kid and got to be within inches of the former pair Ozzie and Harriet and they were the delight of my day. I have always liked the species. If the holding is still as small as it was when I was a kid it may be a space issue causing the zoo to not replace them.
More sad news out of the zoo... wolf, Odin, has died. He wasn't doing well. Went into the health unit for care. They must have thought he was feeling better but then he died. Not surprising given the brothers age. That leaves the Tundra Trek pack at two, Thor and Loki. The death will likely encourage the zoo to consider moving the younger Domain pack.
Beaver, Ward, was feeling poorly himself but is already back on exhibit with June.
A pouch check on tree kangaroo, Nokopo, turned up nothing.
There has been no changes with panda, Er Shun, and the window for the birth is winding down... November 10th is approaching.
Red panda breeding at the zoo has likely come to an end for the time being... not that its been successful. Cassie has been designated do not breed. Apparently if a female hasn't reproduced by age 8 (she is) then its likely she never will. However I did discover Ralphie is not only a father but a grandfather with is granddaughter being paired for breeding this winter. I had thought he was an unproven breeder. I was wrong. Thanks Adams7 for asking me a question that lead down an interesting, unexpected path. Love when that happens. I had no clue Ralphie could be a great grandfather by next summer.
So this is a random question, but still Toronto zoo based.
Since they lost their AZA membership with the elephants, why exactly can't they acquire new animals from AZA facilities?
The new male giraffe came from an AZA facility, so how did the get him? The SSP had a role to play, I assume ?
Since they lost their AZA membership with the elephants, why exactly can't they acquire new animals from AZA facilities?
The new male giraffe came from an AZA facility, so how did the get him? The SSP had a role to play, I assume ?
Good question Hyak_II.
The zoo cannot apply for membership again until it fixes the problem that started the whole thing. They didn't loose membership because the elephants went to PAWS. Lots of other zoos have done that and kept membership. It's about how it happened. The staff and zoo board had decided to end the program and relocate the elephants. Fair enough. Then began the question where do they go? The zoo wanted another AZA facility. They were close to a deal that would have seen them head to the National Elephant Conservation Center in Florida once the facility was ready to take them in. However that fell apart when the city which owns the zoo got involve. That leather faced, white haired, holier than thou game show host from California offered to pay for transport to PAWS and city councillors (who no one on earth can convince me were not bribed by the man whose name I shall never utter again) overruled the staff and boards objections. Im surprised I didnt spew more hatred there... good for me... The AZA pulled accreditation at that point because the zoo was clearly not in charge of the animal welfare decisions... non professional, inexperienced, elected officials were. How could the AZA place animals with a zoo where staff who have trained, studied and are experts in their field are not in charge of such monumental decisions? It could put an animal owned by another member zoo at risk. Until the zoo can get the city to agree that zoo staff will make animal decisions there is zero point in reapplying. They would just get rejected.
The zoo is currently working towards reapplying in the spring. Beyond the governance issues the zoo does know where past deficiencies were during their last AZA inspection and are working to put the zoo's application on a strong footing. Last time they inspected there were a number of concerns which were accerditation concerns.
Elephant exhibit and herd size... solved by their departure
Giraffe house... solved by the move to the old elephant exhibit and demo for new watusi barn.
Lion tailed macaque holdings... solve by roof repair
Amur Tiger exhibit... solved by the panda reno
Snow Leopard exhibit... solved by new exhibit
African resturaunt (dont remember the exact problem)... reno done
Health Center... currently under construction
Indian Rhino Holding... Project is starting soon
Hippo exhibit... will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
Orang exhibit and lack of an outdoor...will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
All of the Canadian Domain...will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
Gorilla outdoor...will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
State of good repair for visitor areas... an ongoing operation.
There is probably a few more Im forgetting. But the zoo has been working on all of the areas of major concern or at least incorporating them in the master plan which requires a lot of prep itself.
New animals have been arriving from other AZA zoos over the past couple of years. The zoo has still been allowed to participate in ssps as a non member participant. However as such other zoos have flat out rejected moves both in and out. Individual zoos do have their own rules regarding transporting animals to non member zoos. Some like Greenville who sent Kiko up are ok with it. Others like Houston and Brevard aren't ok with it... both refused to send us male giraffes recommended to come in the SSP. There were massive problems getting new female white rhinos until Busch Gardens said ok. On the flip side the zoo has also had trouble placing animals. Babirusa, Muna, should have left the zoo years ago to free up space for breeding between Bucky and Olive but other zoos have said no. Recommendations are made by the SSPs but it is ultimately up to the owning and holding zoos if they agree to the moves.
The zoo cannot apply for membership again until it fixes the problem that started the whole thing. They didn't loose membership because the elephants went to PAWS. Lots of other zoos have done that and kept membership. It's about how it happened. The staff and zoo board had decided to end the program and relocate the elephants. Fair enough. Then began the question where do they go? The zoo wanted another AZA facility. They were close to a deal that would have seen them head to the National Elephant Conservation Center in Florida once the facility was ready to take them in. However that fell apart when the city which owns the zoo got involve. That leather faced, white haired, holier than thou game show host from California offered to pay for transport to PAWS and city councillors (who no one on earth can convince me were not bribed by the man whose name I shall never utter again) overruled the staff and boards objections. Im surprised I didnt spew more hatred there... good for me... The AZA pulled accreditation at that point because the zoo was clearly not in charge of the animal welfare decisions... non professional, inexperienced, elected officials were. How could the AZA place animals with a zoo where staff who have trained, studied and are experts in their field are not in charge of such monumental decisions? It could put an animal owned by another member zoo at risk. Until the zoo can get the city to agree that zoo staff will make animal decisions there is zero point in reapplying. They would just get rejected.
The zoo is currently working towards reapplying in the spring. Beyond the governance issues the zoo does know where past deficiencies were during their last AZA inspection and are working to put the zoo's application on a strong footing. Last time they inspected there were a number of concerns which were accerditation concerns.
Elephant exhibit and herd size... solved by their departure
Giraffe house... solved by the move to the old elephant exhibit and demo for new watusi barn.
Lion tailed macaque holdings... solve by roof repair
Amur Tiger exhibit... solved by the panda reno
Snow Leopard exhibit... solved by new exhibit
African resturaunt (dont remember the exact problem)... reno done
Health Center... currently under construction
Indian Rhino Holding... Project is starting soon
Hippo exhibit... will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
Orang exhibit and lack of an outdoor...will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
All of the Canadian Domain...will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
Gorilla outdoor...will be part of master plan thus showing it will be addressed.
State of good repair for visitor areas... an ongoing operation.
There is probably a few more Im forgetting. But the zoo has been working on all of the areas of major concern or at least incorporating them in the master plan which requires a lot of prep itself.
New animals have been arriving from other AZA zoos over the past couple of years. The zoo has still been allowed to participate in ssps as a non member participant. However as such other zoos have flat out rejected moves both in and out. Individual zoos do have their own rules regarding transporting animals to non member zoos. Some like Greenville who sent Kiko up are ok with it. Others like Houston and Brevard aren't ok with it... both refused to send us male giraffes recommended to come in the SSP. There were massive problems getting new female white rhinos until Busch Gardens said ok. On the flip side the zoo has also had trouble placing animals. Babirusa, Muna, should have left the zoo years ago to free up space for breeding between Bucky and Olive but other zoos have said no. Recommendations are made by the SSPs but it is ultimately up to the owning and holding zoos if they agree to the moves.
Was all of this in a report TZFan or did it come down the grape vine? I would love to read the report if there is one. Kinda a junkie for zoo paperwork.
Oh reports Sealife357. Definitely a couple of different reports. I would love to be able to just pull them up for you but I dont have them off the top of my head. You could browse back through the threads for them... also the boards agenda over the last couple of years.
Here is the link to the board stuff.
TMMIS - Committees
I do have one about the current projects reports for you. It was in the last board meeting. It was rehashing some things so I didn't post. It lists the current accreditation issue projects. The only one I forgot was the Americas pavilion.
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-83353.pdf
Here is the link to the board stuff.
TMMIS - Committees
I do have one about the current projects reports for you. It was in the last board meeting. It was rehashing some things so I didn't post. It lists the current accreditation issue projects. The only one I forgot was the Americas pavilion.
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2015/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-83353.pdf
Thanks so much TZFan. I keep losing the link to the T.O. City site, so that is great. Thanks.