Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2015

This is great news! I really hope the zoo is able to regain its accreditation. The only problem is have they actually fixed the reason why they lost it in the first place? Does the city still have more control over the animals than the zoo?
 
The zoo should be in charge of the animals welfare, not a government appointed council.
 
If the zoo hadn't reached some deal with the city then there would be no point in reapplying. If councilors can still overrule trained professionals then the AZA would just reject the application outright. It wasn't like the zoo had poor facilities, horrible conditions for the animals and unsound financial backing which would result in poor care. It was completely 100% governance. The zoo wouldn't waste its time and the AZA's if they had not cleaned up that mess. It hasn't been publicized but something had to have been done.
 
Was at the zoo on October 13th. Saw that the keepers had Loki (arctic wolf in the Tundra Trek) in a holding pen. My assumption at the time was that they were preparing to move him somewhere else. Today, the Tundra Trek wolf exhibit was empty (Except for some shovels and maintenance ladders?/tools). I imagine they're preparing to move the younger pack up from the Domain (as someone on here mentioned was likely the next step) very soon.

Caught the Cheetah Run today. They ran 3 cheetahs, about 2x each. It looked great! Apparently, after much testing with the lures, they discovered that the lure that the cheetahs were most likely to chase after were good, old-fashioned white paper towels! lol! If I can figure out how to easily upload a short video clip on here, I will...

PS The last couple of weekends, the zoo has had members-only "open houses" (cheetah house & Kangaroo walk-thru last weekend, Camel Palace this weekend - Tilly was especially friendly and close-up today...she snuck up behind me and was licking my hair - and Great Barrier Reef next weekend). They've been a fun addition to normal zoo visits! (And thankfully, the weather has held up!) If you're a member, I definitely urge you to take advantage of it! It's also an awesome opportunity to bring a guest in for free each day this month! Love it!
 
The wolf exhibit needs some repairs after the ice storm of 2013. Some of the fencing had been damaged and needed repair or replacement. The zoo didn't have to worry about it while the old pack was in the exhibit because... well they were too old to escape that way. So while the old timers where there the zoo didn't have to fix things. However now that the zoo needs to move the pack the fencing needs to to be addressed before the move can happen. Much younger wolves could possibly exploit the damaged area. With just Loki in the exhibit and given his age the zoo is wise to take advantage of the decent weather this fall to make the repairs and then swap the packs. If they left things alone, Loki could pass any time and then they could have to wait until spring to move the youngsters simply because the fencing isn't as secure as it needs to be for young active wolves. Gosh could you imagine Tundra Trek if they took the chance and waited until spring. All that would be in Tundra Trek would be 3 polar bears and 4 reindeer. They need to move the young wolves (who will hopefully have pups this spring) and replace the foxes.
 
Ooh, that makes sense! I look forward to seeing the young pack. The one and only time I made the trek down to the Canadian Domain, they seemed to be hiding. Don't think I've ever seen foxes, though. Where is their exhibit?
 
I believe he's talking about the artic foxes in the tundra, unfortunately they passed, so I think he means replace them with new ones or something else.
 
Oh, I see. Thanks for the clarification!

By the way, does anyone happen to know what kind of animals (and how many) the zoo keeps off exhibit? I know we have a very useful thread listing animals that are on display....But are there some we never get to see at all? I've been watching "Zoo Diaries", and while I understand that the episodes were shot years ago, I do sometimes wonder what happened to some of the animals on there that I haven't seen at the zoo.
 
I was referring to the arctic foxes. Their exhibit is so sad with just geese in it. I would like to see them replaced as soon as possible whether that means more foxes... and honestly at this point I would take red foxes just to fill the exhibit... or something new or different in there. I would love it if the lynx could go in there. They fit with the arctic theme. Plus moving them there would free up space and budget when the zoo eventually starts on the Canadian Wilderness. One less species with very specific needs to worry about. However I know the exhibit is a little small and the holding was designed with only small arctic fox in mind. It's very likely impossible.

The zoo has a number of species off exhibit. Down in the domain there are more mouflon, two chamois (unless they died), zebra Luke, Przewalski's Horse Dudley, Bactrian camel, along with others I'm probably forgetting. As Arcticwolf mentioned earlier this year the African Pavilion does house a number of species off display. I can remember black monitor, some snakes, lots of chameleons, and a Von Decken's Hornbill. There is a bigger population of shrieks, ferrets and marmots in the breeding center. In the health center there are populations of insects, reptiles, amphibians and fish that are not on display. There are probably more breeding birds too. There are animals off display in the health center as well either waiting for new homes, as surplus stock, under health care ect. I have seen photos of Lion Tailed Macaque, Dave, on exhibit now but he and sister Sitara have been off exhibit in the Malayan Woods for some time. Odds are with Karl's passing it was time to put them back on display so they had more space and socialization opportunities. A lot of the surplus stock like them have been shipped out with the health center under construction. There were additional macaques of both species, tamarins, a red panda, and more that were sent to other zoos.

What past species or specific animals are you wondering about SimplySlothful? There is a thread on former zoo animals that might have some answers but if you have more questions please ask. Odds are someone on here probably knows the answers.
 
As TZFan said, there are lots of reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates off display. The species I know for sure that can't be seen by the public are a Nile monitor (which will be going on exhibit once it's big enough), fire skinks, flat tailed tortoises (I know there's signage up for them in the spider tortoise exhibit, but I'm pretty sure none are in there anymore), and a few types of mantella frog. There are probably many, many more though.

I also completely agree about the Arctic fox exhibit. It's too small for the lynxes, but if the zoo can't get more Arctic foxes, I would love to see red foxes. I was recently reading an article about the competition between red and Arctic foxes and it could make a cool educational display. I also remember a few years ago a keeper told me that they would have loved to see Arctic hares in Tundra Trek and they would be another really cool species to have. I don't think they do well in captivity though, so it's probably unrealistic.
 
They could use snowshoe hares instead of the arctic hares if hares don't do well in captivity. They have the transformation from brown in the summer to white. It would work. I would be super ticked though if that was what happened to that exhibit. Hares are all well and good but that's a big space for just hares. They could easily build a good exhibit for them. Turn the useless snow goose exhibit into a hare exhibit. Move the geese in with the reindeer. Problem solved.

I would prefer the lynx move in but that just wont happen. If that's the case bring back arctic foxes. And if that proves impossible get some red foxes that are orphaned and cannot be returned to the wild. Good way to give a good home to animals in need.
 
It’s been a while, but I finally got a chance to go to the zoo today. Spoke with some Keepers and regular zoo goers, and found out some interesting things.

Saw a near scuffle with the Gorillas. Josephine ran through the exhibit and swatted Ngozi as she ran passed her. Ngozi, Sadiki and Nassir looked as if they were going to retaliate to the attack, before Josephine tripped and fell over. Nneka hopped on to Ngozi’s back, and then Charles ran in the middle of everything, letting out a low grumble, halting everyone. Fight stopped before it can begin. Pretty interesting to see.

Went to go check out the Kudu, but instead I found Zebra in their yard. Found out it was Lori Anne from Calgary and Leia. I asked a Keeper about it, and they figured it was time to have Lori Anne out after she finished up quarantine. And Leia is with her because it is no longer safe to have her stay with Luke out of fear of possible mating between the siblings. Lori Anne looks physically bigger than Leia and Tori, although it’s hard to compare her to Tori, as they were in different yards.

White Rhino Tony was out by himself, and was pretty active until lying down to nap.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this yet, but the old Giraffe house has been pretty much torn down. There’s been construction at the old Giraffe house for months now. As far as I can tell, all demolition, no actual building of a new structure yet. I could be wrong though.

Noticed a pickup truck in the wolf exhibit. Clearly the exhibit is under construction. So I spoke with the Keeper at the Polar Bear talk. She informed me that the construction is scheduled for another 2 weeks and the plan is to bring the young pack up from the Domain. Only thing is that, like usual, construction is moving extremely slow, so she thinks it’ll be longer than 2 weeks.

I also inquired about the Arctic Fox situation. And from what I understand the last 2 batches of Arctic Foxes all died from the same disease. Keepers and vets don’t know how the Foxes are contracting the disease or where it’s coming from. For all they know they disease can be in the environment of the zoo, or other animals, such as racoons, might be bringing the disease into the exhibit, or the Foxes themselves came with the disease. Regardless, the plan is to not get anymore Foxes at the moment. The zoo is looking at other options to fill the exhibit. The Keeper said she won’t be surprised if the exhibit remains empty for the winter, despite a lot of suggestions being made about possible replacements.

Inukshuk was the only Polar Bear out during feeding, as the girls we in the back doing training for medical procedures.

The Tim Hortons is being built next to the Beaver Tails in the Tundra Trek. Looks like the General Store building that was there is being converted into the Tim Hortons. Personally, I thought a Tim Hortons would do better at the entrance, where the Peacock Café is. I figure people would buy when entering and possibly when leaving.

Heard from another visitor that they spoke with a Keeper and found out that Snow Leopard Ena is in quarantine and doing well. From what he told me, they’re hoping to have her on exhibit by mid-November.

Akeelah and Cleo ran the Cheetah run. First time seeing them actually chase the paper towel lure. It was neat to see. I definitely recommend everyone check it out if they get a chance.

Keepers got their first chance to actually get a good look at the lion cubs up close. No touching, just viewing. They’re all gaining weight and looking very healthy.
 
Little surprised to hear the zebras are in the kudu yard. Interesting because they could just rotate in their normal exhibit with Jake and Tori. A new home has been selected for Leia so it will only be a matter of time before she heads out, probably spring. As for the size difference... its only natural. Leia is nearly 2 and Lori is 16. Luke is down in the domain keeping surplus male Przewalski Dudley company. They are getting along pretty well. Luke is heading nowhere right now.

No one should be surprised when all construction projects fall behind schedule. The giraffe house demo and reconstruction was to be done by the start of 2015. Only a full year behind schedule... or as with construction at the zoo right on track. I just hope the minor repairs on the wolf exhibit are done by the time the snow falls or the packs wont swap until spring.

The foxes did not all die from the same thing. Cody had a very different cause of death. Most definitely not from any disease or parasite. His sister Sarah's cause of death was never revealed but I think it had something to do with the genetic condition that made both Sarah and Cody unfit for breeding. I thought Jupiter died from some kind of mobility problem... which I suppose could be caused by a virus. I haven't heard what caused Venus's death. But I do know raccoons have caused a lot of deaths at the zoo, usually among birds. Did the keeper mention any of the possible replacements?

Polar bears Aurora and Nikita were probably training for ultrasounds or milking given the time of year.

I think the Peacock Cafe will also be a Timmies.

Snow leopard Ena arrived Oct 5 or 7th... I might have her confused with the polar bear that went to Cochrane. Mid November would have her cleared of 30 days quarantine. Given that they could let her settle in a little and intro her to Kota early in the new year for breeding in hopes of spring cubs. Might not be a great chance but even a little one is good enough for me.
 
Thanks for the update cypher!

I'm excited to see the younger wolf pack move up to Tundra Trek. Hopefully they'll be active in their new exhibit.

It's really too bad about the Arctic foxes. They're one of my favourite species and I think they make such a nice addition to Tundra Trek. I understand why the zoo doesn't want more and it's smart to not have the species if the cause of death for all the other ones is still unknown. I'm curious about what other species they're thinking about for that exhibit though. Like I said in my last post, red foxes or Arctic hares (if they could be kept in captivity) would be a good fit. I would love to see wolverines, but the exhibit might be too small. I guess a bird species could also work, although it would definitely be less exciting.

It's good that the new snow leopard and lion cubs are doing well. I hope we'll be able to see both on exhibit soon.

I'm also really excited about the Tim Hortons. It'll be nice to have a place where I can buy breakfast when I'm volunteering in the morning. It is weird though that they're not putting it at the front of the zoo.
 
The Keeper never mentioned what animals are being talked about to replace the Arctic Foxes, just that there a lot of suggestions.

I'm starting to rethink what the Keeper said and they may have meant that the last 2 arctic Foxes (Jupiter and Venus) died from the same disease.

I remember reading that Ena was shipping out of Japan on October 5th.
 
Arcticwolf, wolverines would very likely be out. They are extremely hard on their exhibit and they need to be specially designed wolverine tough exhibits. Moving them into the fox exhibit likely wouldn't work as it was never intended to hold them. I do agree though wolverines would be a fantastic addition. I was so disappointed when they were dropped from Tundra Trek due to budget constraints. My hope is that they will add them to the Canadian Wilderness. I think if they replace the arctic foxes with another species we might all be a little disappointed with the choice. Just a bad feeling.
 
I forgot to mention that there is a giant makeshift nest next to the Steller's Sea Eagle exhibit. My guess is that it will eventually be put into the exhibit, much like there is one is the Bald Eagle exhibit in the Domain.
 
Toronto Zoo received a donation from Sick Kids Hospital. The donation in question? An incubator to help with the Panda cubs.
 
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