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

Er Shun and Da Mao have landed at Pearson International Airport and are clearing customs before they head to the Toronto Zoo.
 
Sad news about an orangutan with Toronto ties. Semeru the male orangutan who was on of the first zoo born orangutans to be released back into the wild by Perth Zoo sometime in 2011 was found dead recently in his nest. He likely was killed when he was bitten in the neck by a pit viper. Semeru was the son of Toronto born male, Dinara, and grandson of Dinding and Abigail. Theres an ongoing investigation into whether his being captive bred played a role in his death. But honestly how are we supposed to restore wild populations of endangered animals if we dont use zoo born animals? Some animals have to be used as test cases for larger scale releases to be possible in the future. Hopefully some new techniques for releasing orangutans back into the wild will be learned from his release and death so one day others will have an easier, possibly more successful transition back.

First zoo-born male orangutan to be released into the wild is killed by a poisonous snake after less than 18 months in his natural habitat | Mail Online
 
I was reading about some penguin hatchings in the states and wondered about our penguin chicks. I know we had 5 hatch and were waiting on 2 more. Did they hatch? Have they all survived thus far?

Also now that we've started into spring, baby season, do we have any new cuties yet?
 
Someone on the zoos facebook page mentioned they had heard rumor of snow leopard cubs. Has anyone heard anything about that? On the one had what a great additional draw cubs would be to add to the excitment over the pandas and help showcase the snow leopards new exhibit. But on the other hand I doubt they would want to move either a pregnant mother or mother with small cubs into a new facility. Could be very stressful for them and possibly lead to the cubs deaths. I suppose that all would depend on when the snow leopards exhibit was ready for them and when they made the move and if the cubs are hear already how old they are. I dont put much stock in facebook info unless its directly from the zoo but snow leopard cubs are so darn cute I'd love to know if there are any.
 
Tiga has a birth control implant, so I'm a little hesitant to believe this at the moment. Although snow leopard cubs have always been my favourite so I would be incredibly happy if this is true. Hopefully someone can confirm this.
 
Ya I thought that was likely the case. While cubs would be super, I just dont think the timing would be right. A couple of months after they have settled into the new exhibit sure but now is doubtful. Plus now that im thinking about it... didnt we have trouble placing cubs from the last litter? If thats the case then prehaps Tiga and Kota might be well enough represented as a pairing and that means breeding is out until they swap one or the pair out or wait for natural attrition to take place.
 
One snow leopard is in the old exhibit in Eurasia by herself right now. As for the other, is either in the WHC or has been sent to another zoo. I believe that once the exhibit opens both male and female will be introduced. I have not heard of a rumour, however, anything is possible but there is only one snow leopard in the old exhibit as of now.
 
I had a quick visit today and really only did Africa, but there are a few updates:
- The nile softshell turtle exhibit had a small renovation, with a wall of dividing rocks being added at the bottom of the pool to keep the coloured balls only on 1 side and a flat section added near the edge of the pool so that the training crate is flat with the water.
- Only 1 pygmy hippo was out, but I think they are just keeping them separate due to Abou's health issues
- There are twin lemur babies. I only saw them for a moment, but they are tiny, so I am guessing they were born recently (last 2 weeks?)
- The 2 female white rhino were on exhibit (1st or 2nd day) and there was a volunteer observing them. They are quite a bit smaller than Tom, but were quite active and took off at a full sprint at one point just because the zebras were running.
- Only 3 zebras on exhibit, including the male. Not sure which female was missing.
- There is a new penguin chick on exhibit with the rest of the group. It is the same size as the 3 from last year, but slightly fluffier. Not sure if there are any other chicks being hand-raised (most pairs laid a second clutch which would have begun hatching in mid-March), hopefully there are.
- There is a sign in front of the hyena exhibit explaining that the male often has bite wounds from the female being aggressive during breeding.
 
adams7 said:
I had a quick visit today and really only did Africa, but there are a few updates:
- The nile softshell turtle exhibit had a small renovation, with a wall of dividing rocks being added at the bottom of the pool to keep the coloured balls only on 1 side and a flat section added near the edge of the pool so that the training crate is flat with the water.
- Only 1 pygmy hippo was out, but I think they are just keeping them separate due to Abou's health issues
- There are twin lemur babies. I only saw them for a moment, but they are tiny, so I am guessing they were born recently (last 2 weeks?)
- The 2 female white rhino were on exhibit (1st or 2nd day) and there was a volunteer observing them. They are quite a bit smaller than Tom, but were quite active and took off at a full sprint at one point just because the zebras were running.
- Only 3 zebras on exhibit, including the male. Not sure which female was missing.
- There is a new penguin chick on exhibit with the rest of the group. It is the same size as the 3 from last year, but slightly fluffier. Not sure if there are any other chicks being hand-raised (most pairs laid a second clutch which would have begun hatching in mid-March), hopefully there are.
- There is a sign in front of the hyena exhibit explaining that the male often has bite wounds from the female being aggressive during breeding.
Click to expand...

If the hyenas are breeding, does that mean they might have babies sometime soon?
That's good news about the rhinos! I'm glad the zoo finally got the females.
 
For a quick update you certainly offered some great tidbits. Glad little Leroy has some buddies to play with soon, I know hes probably about full grown by now, but they will catch up. Hopefully more will come with at least one more female able to breed (I dont know how long females raise their young before breeding again so maybe 2 more).

More penguin chicks? With at least 5 hatched between december and January, more hatching in march would be a real treat. It'll be cool when the whole colony are out together. Can never watch too many penguins.

Hopefully the hyenas are successful. With the length of pregnacy we could see a cub or two in July or August.

Poor Abou is still not well? Shes had a really tough year, first the loss of the calf now prolonged illness. I dont know if its really feasible for the zoo but maybe she should be moved off exhibit to the health centre where she can rest and recoup in privacy.

With newer pairings for the warthogs and red river hogs whats the chance we will have piglets this year? Also are Charles and Ngozi being breed sometime soon? Nassir is 3 1/2 after all.

Oh and any news on when the elephants will finally leave? I wonder how soon after their departure the zoo plans on starting work to retrofit the exhibit for the giraffes. I'd like to see Ginetta and Twigga move as soon as possible to a bigger better exibit and be joined by some younger giraffes, especially given Ginetta's advanced age. Dont want Twigga left alone.
 
The elephants have to leave by June I believe the article said before it is too hot for them to move again until the fall. This being said I think could impact the application of AZA again.

With that being said it will take some time to renovate the exhibit for giraffes once the elephants are gone, I would say that the two ladies will not move from the current exhibit until Ginetta passes, as I feel it would not be in her best well being to move her, even if its only to another area at the zoo. That being said a new group would be brought in put on display in the new exhibit and then Twiga would move over after Ginetta passes away.

Remember these are speculations NOTHING CERTAIN!
 
Oh I understand anything can happen. Its just intersting to hear other peoples thoughts. I hadnt considered Ginetta's age and the stress moving would cause. Do you think they will start the planning of the new exhibit as soon as the girls are gone? I know it might take awhile, might even be easier to just rip down the old elephant house and start from scratch but will they leave such a big exhibit empty long? As I've mentioned before I would love the exhibit to have a feeding station where for a fee I could get up close and personal with a giraffe. Lots of zoos have been adding that as a feature. Good way to help pay for the giraffes feedings (I know not total but then again what you get to feed them probably costs a tiny fraction of what they will charge us).

I apperciate you thoughts Quartz92. You always have great info and wonderful thoughts to share with everyone.
 
TZFan said:
I know it might take awhile, might even be easier to just rip down the old elephant house and start from scratch
Click to expand...

I can say with good confidence that the current elephant holding will work as the new giraffe holding. It may need a few tweaks, but the building will stay. After all, the holding area is the key factor in the transfer of the giraffe... as this provided a more cost/time effective way to give them a new holding area, rather than building a new structure adjacent to the current giraffe exhibit (as originally planned, due to the current giraffe barn's age, state and size)
 
Oh I would have thought the elephant house would be one of the buildings at the zoo starting to become run down. Wasnt it one of the origional structures when the zoo opened? Maybe I'm wrong and it far newer than I thought. I kind of assumed it was older and might have some age related issues and code issues. I also have no idea what the AZA requirements for giraffes are. If they can retro fit it then great!

Id like to see some kind of indoor exhibit zoo guests could enjoy year round but I dont know about the feasiblity of that. I have never been in the elephant house. Are people ever allowed in it?

Hope they get a nice yard though. They have such a green exhibit now being placed in the perfect backdrop. The elephants exhibit has always seemed to dreary, though I do get it that elephants are hard on their exhibits plant life.

Zoogoer2000 do you have any thoughts on what they might do with the hippos as well, since Ive read they will likely gain some of the elephants space?

I'll be heading to the zoo in late June with a bunch of kids so I was wondering if you regular zoo goers (dumb me living too far away), could keep your eagle eyes out for baby animals. They will go nuts to see each and every baby and I'd hate for them to miss out on any they would really be into. Thanks in advance.
 
For the first time ever I got a zoo membership! I'll be visiting on Saturday or Sunday and I'll make sure to post lots of pictures and anything new that has happened at the zoo. If there is anything you guys want me to find out about or take pictures of just tell me and I'd be happy to do it.
 
As I said before I'd love to know about any new babies or any thing really that small children would be fascinated by.

Lucky you to live close enough to really get to use and enjoy a membership. Loved having one when we lived close. Felt like the zoo was a second home. Will you be going to the members opening of the panda exhibit next weekend? If you do be sure to take tons of photos of them and the renos for the rest of us. Have a great time Arcticwolf. Hope the weather is great for you and the animals are active.
 
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