Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo- Births, Deaths, Arrivals and Departures 2013

Is there any news about the female tapir that is coming from the Bronx Zoo? Did the zoo scrap plans for her to move to the zoo due to lack of space because of the babirusa breeding pair and the piglet?
 
adams7 said:
I don't believe there is any news on the indian rhino, other than that they are still trying to breed them.

With the pygmy hippos, I think that the plan had been to continue to breed them. However, Abou (female) actually got quite sick and has been off exhibit for months now. Her health is improving, but I'm not sure what the breeding plans are now.

There have been some big changes with the white rhinos. Tom was brought in with plans to breed him, so I'm guessing he is valuable. The Zoo scraped the plan to bring in females from South Africa, probably due to the large expense. In the late fall though, they did receive 2 young females from Busch Gardens Tampa. Around the same time, a trade was made with a zoo in Quebec (possibly Granby), with Shaboola leaving Toronto and a 9 year old male, Tony, coming. While the females are still too young to breed, Toronto now has 4 rhinos under the age of 10, so within a few years there should be babies. The 3 new rhinos have not yet been on exhibit as they were in quaratine until just recently, but should be out in the spring.
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That's amazing news about the rhinos! Thanks for sharing. I hope Abou gets better and can start breeding again soon.
 
Cool thanks for all the info. Im glad we now have 4 young rhinos who will be able to breed in the future. Baby rhinos are pretty big draws for zoos especially when they are so tiny. Wouldnt it be cool to have a baby indian and a baby white rhino at the same time. Any clue what the females names are? I like knowing everyones name.

Too bad Abou has been sick. Poor thing, first losing yet another calf and then getting so sick. I think it might be time for the zoo to change things up and bring in a new female for Harvey. Abou might not be a good option for breeding but that doesnt mean Harvey has to go unrepresented.

While Im asking about breeding, with the new snow leopard facility opening soon are there any plans to breed again with Kota and Tiga? Or are they too old and we need to wait for eventual replacements? I love snow leopard cubs. So fluffy and cute.

Or any other big breeding news out there? We all know the zoo is terrible at announcing their successes.

Oh and while im thinking about it have the guar been moved to another zoo yet since we wont be keeping them? or are we waiting for natural attrition to take effect?
 
Re. The tapir from Bronx - if we're thinking of the same thing (the tapir acquistion that was in the works for years), that has come and gone awhile ago now! While we did receive a female (Olivia, not sure where from, but born in Point Defiance I believe), she passed away suddenly from liver complications about a month after her arrival. Since the babirusa now share the holding/exhibit space with the tapir, I wouldn't put too much hope in having a new tapir arrival any time soon!

Re. Gaur - while breeding has been stopped (and made slightly impossible due to all animals being related in our group), there are no set plans (that I'm aware of anyways) stipulating that gaur are being removed right away. I would expect a slow phase-out if anything, through death and animals moving to breed at other zoos. But, plans do change...

Re. Pygmy hippo - one also must remember that just because the hippos CAN breed, this doesn't mean they WILL be bred. I'm not sure of exact details, but it's becoming less and less likely with Abou's health and her success rate with previous calves (0% survival rate, lower maternal skills). Again, don't quote me on all of this, but one must remember these factors.

Don't expect too many large animal births at the moment, they're usually coordinated to take place in the spring. I'm not sure what you could really expect this year either! Mostly just the usuals, probably.
 
I can live with no large animal births since we get to see pandas. I didnt think there would be a ton anyway this spring since we had a great summer of cuteness last year. I like knowing what new cuties are at the zoo or on the way.

Considering the fact that we have young rhinos (both species), lions, tigers and soon to be pandas the future looks bright for big births within the next several years. Hopefully we will get more penguins, polar bears and a new gorilla in that time too. Wouldnt mind if the hyenas were successful too since baby hyenas are pretty darn cute. And maybe if the elephants go this summer and a reno can be completed quickly on their house and yard we can get some young blood in for our giraffe herd too (realistically I know it will take several years to see that happen but one can dream).
 
Adams7, where did the information on the white rhinos come from?
 
Okay, thanks just wanted to make sure, can't wait to see them. I wonder if anyone has names from the females?
 
I dont know the females names but the little I could find out about the rhinos at Busch Gardens shows their parents are imports from South Africa so good genes for future breeding and they had to have been born between 2007 -2010 i think because they had four females born in a row at that time (Zooborns can be such a helpful website). But I didnt figure out their names. You know what I'll ask on the US forum. Bet someone there will have an idea.
 
TZFan said:
I dont know the females names but the little I could find out about the rhinos at Busch Gardens shows their parents are imports from South Africa so good genes for future breeding and they had to have been born between 2007 -2010 i think because they had four females born in a row at that time (Zooborns can be such a helpful website). But I didnt figure out their names. You know what I'll ask on the US forum. Bet someone there will have an idea.
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Based on the ages that I was told by a keeper, the two female rhinos are:
Sabi (b Nov 11 2009; Mlaleni x Tambo)- Video: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Inside Conservation Blog (her name isn't listed here, but I found it during some other searches)
Zohari (b July 12, 2010; Kisiri x Tambo)- It?s a girl! 100-plus pound baby rhino born at Busch Gardens | Inside Conservation Blog
 
Thanks adams7 for the info on the new girls. I got no help from the US forum members. So I guess we will just have to wait another 4 or so years for a calf. Oh well it'll just be nice to have a bigger herd with spunky younger animals. Maybe Asha and Vishu will provide us with a calf of their own to adore while we wait for the pitter patter of white rhino hooves.
 
I was just looking on the zoo's website and saw that under the animals section, there was a page for giant pandas. This made me wonder when they would arrive. Does anyone know when they will be coming to Toronto? I know that all zoo animals have to go through quarantine, so I'm guessing the pandas will have to arrive at least a few weeks before their exhibit opens.
Also is there any news on the other species that are supposed to be in the Eurasian area like the sea eagles and giant salamanders? I'm also curious about what other species the zoo is planning on getting this year. Any information would be great.
 
There is a 6 week quarantine for mammals I believe, I may be wrong, I assume the zoo wants the exhibit opened by May 24 weekend, however it may open earlier for special events etc.
 
Someone else, cant remember who, mentioned they had heard the pandas would arrive sometime in March. Could have changed or they could have been mistaken or misinformed. They also mentioned a black and white gala at the end of this month where more information on the pandas might be given. Perhaps the zoo will share more details with us in the next week or so if thats the case.
 
Heres a youtube clip about fed Ex's role in moving the pandas and their bamboo.

 
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I'm really hoping the exhibit and the whole environment around the exhibit is immersive. Bamboo everywhere!
 
Considering the zoo wants that tent up for May 1st I'm guessing the panda exhibit will be open around then, provided the pandas are adapting and everything is complete. Last spring when the white lions had their much hyped arrival they went out in early may. Im guessing they will really want to cash in on as many school trips as they can before the summer crowds.
 
Oh ya did anyone go to the black and white gala last night? Any info from that?
 
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