Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Births, Deaths and Transfers 2024

It really is the end of an era. It sounds as though his passing was as peaceful as possible, with the entire troop and his keepers all having a chance to say goodbye which is reassuring in such hard time.

I am hopeful the troop does well in this transition period. It certainly will be odd with Charles gone, but a new chapter will start with the inevitable arrival of a new Silverback and eventual new offspring as the circle of life moves on.

Charles' legacy and his impact on everyone will never be forgotten and the zoo and the community have been lucky to have him for as longs as we did. I remember watching Zoo diaries as a kid growing up on the East Coast, and when I finally moved here, he was the animal I remembered the most.
 
Extremely sad, but not unexpected, news. The fact that Charles lived to such an absolutely extraordinary age, and left behind such an impressive legacy, does help soften the blow somewhat, but this is still a rough one all the same.

However with his passing, this also ushers in an age that will undoubtedly be full of prosperity and opportunity for the Toronto zoo gorilla troop. It is extremely, extremely likely that the zoo will receive the silverback Jawara from Granby in the very near future. Given the fact that both zoos are within Canada, relatively close to each other, and there are currently no gorillas that are within the age range where it’s risky to introduce a Silverback at Toronto, I would say the chances are very high that he could be arriving within the next month at most. He’s an extremely genetically valuable silver back, and completely unrelated to any of the gorillas at Toronto. This will also enable the even more genetically valuable Johari to FINALLY start breeding, which is not only nice from a genetic standpoint of things, but will also be amazing for Johari socially. She’s definitely at the bottom of the pecking order in the zoos group currently, and being able to finally have offspring will offer her support both in terms of having support from having Ngozi and Nneka going after her, and just plain social interaction in a way that only mothers and their offspring have. And of course having a young, healthy silverback in his prime will also likely help with that tremendously as well in general.

In truth, there was a somewhat similar situation at the Calgary zoo with their silverback Kakinga. He was a wonderful silverback, but old, and there was more social strife than necessary towards the end of his life leading over the troop. With the arrival of a new, young silverback, not only was there an increase in breeding and offspring, but social tension got much reduced between the girls, and saw an increase in affiliative behaviours as well as a massive decrease in hair plucking and other undesirable behaviours from the females thanks to the more effective social management from the younger and more involved silverback.
 
Hyak_II said:
Extremely sad, but not unexpected, news. The fact that Charles lived to such an absolutely extraordinary age, and left behind such an impressive legacy, does help soften the blow somewhat, but this is still a rough one all the same.

However with his passing, this also ushers in an age that will undoubtedly be full of prosperity and opportunity for the Toronto zoo gorilla troop. It is extremely, extremely likely that the zoo will receive the silverback Jawara from Granby in the very near future. Given the fact that both zoos are within Canada, relatively close to each other, and there are currently no gorillas that are within the age range where it’s risky to introduce a Silverback at Toronto, I would say the chances are very high that he could be arriving within the next month at most. He’s an extremely genetically valuable silver back, and completely unrelated to any of the gorillas at Toronto. This will also enable the even more genetically valuable Johari to FINALLY start breeding, which is not only nice from a genetic standpoint of things, but will also be amazing for Johari socially. She’s definitely at the bottom of the pecking order in the zoos group currently, and being able to finally have offspring will offer her support both in terms of having support from having Ngozi and Nneka going after her, and just plain social interaction in a way that only mothers and their offspring have. And of course having a young, healthy silverback in his prime will also likely help with that tremendously as well in general.

In truth, there was a somewhat similar situation at the Calgary zoo with their silverback Kakinga. He was a wonderful silverback, but old, and there was more social strife than necessary towards the end of his life leading over the troop. With the arrival of a new, young silverback, not only was there an increase in breeding and offspring, but social tension got much reduced between the girls, and saw an increase in affiliative behaviours as well as a massive decrease in hair plucking and other undesirable behaviours from the females thanks to the more effective social management from the younger and more involved silverback.
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Well said!
 
Wow...rest in peace Charles, hard to think this moment has has arrived. Charles was truly an icon for the zoo, and for a lot of people (myself included) he was basically synonymous with the zoo itself. It's going to be a new era with him gone :(.
 
So sad that the end has finally came to the amazing reign of our beloved Charles. His life was incredible and his legacy will live on generations to come. Just think of how spectacular his start in Toronto was. Charles came in September 1974 as the replacement male for little Joseph who had died shortly after his arrival earlier in the year. Charles wasnt our planned silverback at all. He probably would have gone to another zoo if Toronto hadn't been looking for a second young male to raise with Barney, Amanda, Caroline, Julia, Samantha and Josephine (his arrival buddy and friend for life). Fate stepped in and change Charles and Toronto's futures, binding the two together for ever. We could have lost him when he was young a broke his leg in an accident but he was resilient and in a place with amazing care who fought for him. When the boys couldnt get along anymore Toronto could have parted ways with Charles just as easily as Barney but decided to stick with our goofy guy. He became a wonderful caring father to Natasha, Minkebe, Sekani, Jabari (well ok that one didnt work out so well but we blame the group for not taking to him and Patrick), Jomo, Subira, Johari, Shalia, Sadiki, Nassir, Nneka, and Charlie. Being a excellent parent give his kids the ability to become wonderful parents themselves to Mosi, Adelina, Bukuva, Jameela (ok that one didnt work out but we cant blame Sekani), Bakari, Mondika, Elle, Saambili, Mbani, Sully and Willie B III. He even became a great grandfather to total surprise granddaughter Kwame when Sully turned out to be a female, oops. And all that is just what hes done for his family and species. Forget the millions of us who grew up under his watchful eye, being inspired to love the zoo and care for wildlife across the globe because of our profound connection to him. While its sad his incredible life has come to an end, it was one heck of a life well lived!

Im glad his family could be with him that final morning and he could say his goodbyes. Cant help but feel like he rallied so he could spend a few more hours with them. And while they are going through this difficult adjustment Im glad they have each other.

To any of his keepers who may read this you have my heart felt sympathy. While we all might be mourning a cherished friend you are mourning a beloved family member. You are the ones who have been with him for all of the highs and all of the lows and I am glad that you got to be with him in the end. Im certain he had great comfort in seeing the faced of his human family in those final peaceful moments. You guys gave him an incredible home and saw to it that his life was filled with joy. I know the days ahead will be hard but I hope the outpouring of love and support from the community will help to ease a fraction of the pain.

Rest in peace Charles. You will be missed!
 
Unsure of which of the following has been publicized/announced but I overheard a staff member sharing a few bits of animal info. I believe he said he was the animal curator (he was involved in relocating Teeka the cougar and spider monkies).

It was mentioned that the lemurs in the summer house will be leaving and the peafowl will move into their enclosure. Demoiselle Crane(s) from Assiniboine Park Conservancy will move into the Australasia pavilllion where the peafowl currently are.
 
In addition to my previous message I just remembered that the Toronto Zoo agreed to take in the Ontario Science Centres reptile collection and one lobster. I am not sure what the Science Centre has exactly or what the long-term plans are (if they are being temporarily housed, etc).
 
I had heard some lemurs are leaving, as we have two groups and managing two different groups in winter is a challenge. I was wondering where the Demoiselle cranes would go. Geographically, Australasia isn't the best spot, but I am not surprised they are going there.

Also curious what the science centre has in terms of reptiles.
 
The last couple of posts may explain the hoarding I saw last Thursday (31OCT) around the former Komodo exhibit in the Australasia Pavilion. It was completely closed off right to the edges.
Initially I was excited, thinking maybe they've sourced another dragon already... but it makes more sense that it might have something to do with those reptiles you mention TZ is now housing.
(And I have no idea where they've moved the seriema bird who had been occupying that space. Perhaps they're relocating her to the Americas, since I believe that's actually her correct region.)
 
Jefferson said:
Also curious what the science centre has in terms of reptiles.
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I recorded it, mostly north american and south american reptiles and amphibians: Eastern musk turtle, Midland painted turtle, two Green baslisks, American toad, New caledonian gecko, Mossy gecko, Milk frog, A large gray ratsnake, mexican red kneed Tarantula, a native frog(I can't remember the specific species though..), Red footed tortoise, Blue poison dart frog, Bumblebee poison frog, Colbalt(I think), Green and black poison dart frog, blind cave fish, some sort of shrimplike invertebrate I forgot the name of,and multiple tanks of coral reef fish. There may be more, but this is all I can remember at the moment.
They don't have them anymore, but they used to have some huge fish.
 
Judache said:
The last couple of posts may explain the hoarding I saw last Thursday (31OCT) around the former Komodo exhibit in the Australasia Pavilion. It was completely closed off right to the edges.
Initially I was excited, thinking maybe they've sourced another dragon already... but it makes more sense that it might have something to do with those reptiles you mention TZ is now housing.
(And I have no idea where they've moved the seriema bird who had been occupying that space. Perhaps they're relocating her to the Americas, since I believe that's actually her correct region.)
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Spoke with a keeper yesterday, they are still planning for Komodo's so are doing work on the exhibit in preparation, but in classic renovation work in old buildings, once they started they found more issues. So need to get other contractors in. They want to make sure that everything is dealt with before new Komodo(s?) arrive. Also the keeper mentioned that they will need to undergo 3 months of quarantine prior to being on display because of their slower metabolism rates.

All in all she was hopeful for next spring as a potential realistic time frame.
 
Zoo adventures said:
On August 22, 2024 Toronto zoo announced the death of 10 year old female red panda named Sakura. The zoo believed that Sakura had a cardiac arrest but they are uncertain. Although her baby, nicknamed Biggie remains healthy and doing well.

The Toronto Zoo


The Toronto zoo announced that Teeka(cougar) is out of quarantine and has been introduced to Bowen the male cougar. They are doing well together for the moment.
The Toronto Zoo
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The Zoo is now asking to name the red panda cub that was born on June 13, 2024. Nicknamed, Biggie will be introduced to some parts of the outdoor exhibit at the Zoo. She may or may not be viewable.
he name choices are: Rose, Blossom, Poppy, Cherry and Dahlia. The results for the moment is Poppy leading at 41%. I think that Blossom would be a great name.
The Toronto Zoo
 
Import permit request to bring a female from Toronto to Fresno

A Notice by the Fish and Wildlife Service on 11/08/2024

Applicant: Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno, CA; Permit No. PER13199546
The applicant requests renewal and amendment of a permit to import one live female captive-born Sumatran orangutan ( Pongo abelii) from the Toronto Zoo, Toronto, Canada, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a single import.

News from: @flatstingray
 
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