Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo - Developments 2016

Great questions Arcticwolf! I questioned the domain stop myself but here are my thoughts on that one.

1) While the Canadian Wilderness has always been scheduled to be sooner rather than later the master plan which is forth coming may have altered that slightly. If we were on the thought process of before the master plan... health center finishes early 2017. Probably meaning the orang outdoor doesn't start until spring 2018 with a 2 year window for construction. Yes construction is always slow but realistically this is just one exhibit so I don't see why it cannot be completed by 2020. Next up was to be the Indo Malaya pavilion which I would guess will be a 2-3 year job. They have always been fuzzy on when the Wilderness will start. It sounded like it would be privately raised funds so when the money was there it would be done which could have meant at the same time as Indo Malaya or just after it. I don't think the new master plan will have that project starting for a good 5 years minimum plus construction time of probably 2 or more years.
By then the new train would have been up and running for several years already.

2)Once the domain is the domain no more then some of the exhibits in the domain could be converted to a temporary breeding center or just surplus area which could be visited.

3)Alternatively it could be modified to be a natural wooded area with trails just for walking in the Rouge. Not a horrible idea.

4) They could just skip that station at that point too. Best part was the scenic views anyway. Well that and for me as a kid not having to deal with the hill.

As to the old exhibit spaces that is an interesting question. Some are being used by surplus stock now... Im specifically thinking the rest of the mouflon, zebra Luke, przewalski Dudley and a male bactrian camel whos name escapes me right now. Im sure there are more. It would be nice to see some species added though. One doesnt have to be fancy even. Get some white tailed deer. Try woodland caribou down there (at least some conservation value). Could have two groups of moose. Im going the natural settings route but that space could be used for additional breeding space for bigger herds of certain species.

Will be interesting to see how or even if the ideas develop into reality.
 
I guess I didn't think about how long it will take before the Canadian Wilderness actually opens. While I wish it would open sooner, the health centre and orangutans are much more important in my opinion.

Now that I'm thinking more about it, it might actually be nice for the monorail to still go through the Canadian Domain when it's closed, because it's a beautiful area. I agree that it would be a good idea to use some of the larger exhibits for surplus animals, and maybe even a few new species like you said, such as deer and caribou.
 
So I was looking at the proposal for this new ride, and I doesn't look extensive as I thought it would be.

This Maglav Ride wouldn't take up the entire of the old Domain ride. Not even close to it. It'll start and the Main Station stop and be a basically straight line to the America Station.

Check out the Appendix 1 - Magnovate Proposal on the Board page. On Page 2 it outlines the new construction zone.
 
I don't know if I'm misunderstanding the map, but it seems like they will be using the old monorail track and adding a new section from the Americas station to the main station. It also says in one part of the document that one goal of the ride is to "provide visitor transit so that it is easier for small children, mobility impaired and seniors to enjoy the Canadian Domain and other distant exhibits", so it'll at least be going down to the Domain.
 
From the map I agree with Arcticwolf. It looks like there will be new construction from the main station tot the Americas. But the plan calls for the reuse of the old structure. There is some part about the old infrastructure being still in really good shape because its not been damaged by harsh chemicals used in the winter. I think you are just mistaking the new construction for the whole ride Cypher.
 
I'm really excited for this, though its close to a decade away give or take a few years, it could also allow the zoo to use up the old, likely needing refurbishment, enclosures and buildings out in the valley. And the science part of my geeked out a little at the advancement in maglev and the fact we'll be able to see it in action at the zoo if it goes through.

So much to look forward to these next few years.
 
Thanks arcticwolf and TZFan. I see what you guys are referring too, and I believe you're right that I was reading the map incorrectly. That's what happens when you interpret something from a quick glance. Hopefully, I am wrong and this new ride uses the entire monorail track.
 
Ok interesting thought for you guys... with the return of the monorail the trouble getting down to the domain is virtually gone. So that begs the question do they need to move the domain? Sure the domain is in dire need of some TLC. It's not seen a major reno... ever. But with the monorail bringing guests down there do they really need to build the Canadian Wilderness? They could potentially close the area down and do a reno just prior to the monorail opening up and really just improve or rebuild what is already there. Could be a cheaper option than starting from scratch unless its in such bad shape they are better to start from scratch. Just think of all the fencing costs alone. If the current stuff is fine there is a savings right there. Maybe the buildings need to be gutted, upgraded or replaced all together but there would still be some cost savings to keeping things where they are. They could take the savings on what they do not have to start with from scratch elsewhere and make even bigger improvements. Maybe the grizzly enclosure gets demoed and an even bigger one replaces it. There is the empty wolf exhibit down there which could house a new species. It's been a long time since I was down there but I bet there is space there to build a Canadian pavilion and still move the North American stock out of the Americas pavilion. Whatever savings picked up from leaving the domain in place and just bringing it up to date could then be redirected towards other projects thus speeding them along as well. I don't know that the zoo will totally change course but it might seem like a very attractive alternative now that the monorail is once again a potential. What do you all think about this possibility? Just popped into my head and thought I would get your opinions.
 
While I would not be completely opposed to keeping the Canadian animals in the Domain, I think it would be much better to build them a new area next to Eurasia.

One major problem I see with keeping them where they are is that the document says the monorail will probably cost around $12 to ride. I don't think it's fair that for people who can't walk down the hill, they have to pay that much money to see the animals. Also, people still probably won't want to go to the area because they don't want to pay the money and don't want to walk down that steep hill.

Also, many of the animals in the Domain (raccoons, lynxes, cougars) can only be seen by walking up the hill, so the monorail doesn't help with that. In addition to this, almost all of the exhibits in the Domain will need a big upgrade, which could cost as much as building an entire new exhibit complex.

The last thing I'll mention is that if the Canadian animals stay where they are, not many new species can be brought in, since the only open space is the old wolf exhibit. One of the things that really excites about the new Canadian Wilderness is the possibility of having a pavilion home to smaller animals. While I know this may not happen, I think it is more likely to occur near the Eurasia Wilds, where there is more room to build it.
 
Oh you did bring up some excellent points Arcticwolf.

Never considered the costs to guests. We had a membership when I was a kid so we could go on the monorail or zoomobile for free so choosing between the two due to cost was never an issue. That would be a draw back for sure. However its not like they have to eliminate the hill access. Don't want to pay. Don't have to. You could walk unless your mobility is hindered in some way.

I haven't been down to the domain since the zoomobile stopped. Nothing down there entices me enough to invest my precious little time in heading that route. My memories of set up are very fuzzy. I just assumed things could be rejigged a little to fit it all in. I do believe there is more space down there though that could be used besides the wolf exhibit. I remember seeing deer and musk ox down there from the monorail. And honestly they could just chop down some trees. Forested space doesn't have to stay that way. None of what is forested at the zoo was forest when the zoo was built.

I'm more of a fan of relocating the domain. If they don't move it that space designated for it will surely go to waste which would be a pity since it could have gone to both Tundra Trek and Eurasia Wilds. People will get better use of their time if it does move. And frankly I have always hated the domains location. Not just because of the hill I hate... which I do... but because North American animals off the African Savanna section doesn't make geographic sense when there are other North American animals in Tundra Trek. The division of the two areas has long since bothered me... my obsessive need for order and organization cropping up again.
 
I think there are certain animals that would benefit from being moved to the Canadian Wilderness. Mainly the animals the size of a Grizzly Bear and smaller. Making better exhibits for the Grizzly Bear, Cougar, Lynx, Bald Eagles and Raccoons would be great for the animals and the public. They would benefit from being put in new exhibits of the Canadian Wilderness.

The Bigger animals like the Bison, Elk and Moose would benefit from staying in the larger exhibits in the Domain. The plan to add them to a drive through section didn't really sit well with me. My biggest dislike with the drive through is that you can't stand and watch the animals over time.

With the Monorail, I think it's possible to get the best of both worlds with the large animals. See them from the monorail or walk up to the enclosure and watch them.

Personally, that's what I think would work if the monorail deal goes through.

On the point that arcticwolf made, I feel it's a valid argument. Shouldn't charge people to see animals in the Domain, but they are essentially doing that already with the zoomobile. The only way to see the Yak, Przewalski's horse and Mouflon is to pay and use the zoomoble. Sure there's a difference of $4 between the rides, but I don't think that's really big of a difference.
 
I agree with your points about the drive through, cypher, but I won't make any comments until we've actually seen plans for the Canadian Wilderness. I'm hoping that even if some species are part of drive through exhibits, they will still be visible by foot.

While it is true that the zoomobile also charges an extra fee to see some species, by keeping animals in the Canadian Domain, people who can't walk down the hill will have to pay to see an entire section of the zoo. I also think there's a difference between not being able to see a yak without paying and not being able to see a grizzly bear, which is one of the most popular animals at the zoo.
 
I have seen a partial map of what was being considered for the Wilderness. The drive through bison and elk exhibit seems different from the current one with the yaks because it looks like they will need to keep the original path leading to the barbary apes and dhole. Wait let me see if I can find it... found it. Go to the last page and blow things up. It's by no means a full map but gives a tiny snippet of what could potentially come. There is definitely a drive through path but also a walking path along the side of it. I do agree though not being able to walk up to the Eurasian drive through is a bit of a let down and also a rip off because if you want to see them well you are forced to get on the zoomobile.

http://www.torontozoo.com/WildForLife/Wild for Life Project Overview.pdf
 
So from the link you posted TZFan, there definitely looks to be a path for foot traffic and a path for a zoomobile. If I'm looking at things correctly, the pathways are on opposite side of the Grizzly Ber exhibit, with the zoomobile path leading to the Bison and Elk drive through. There also looks to be a pathway for visitors to see the Bison and Elk on foot, which is a good thing.

I also see what you're saying arcticwolf. It's not fair to charge some people to see a part of the zoo that other can see free, due to mobility issues. I get that, but there's really no way to get around that unless individuals with handicap permits get to ride the monorail for free.

Assuming the monorail idea is picked up by the zoo. There are two main situations they'll have to contend with.

Firstly, if they leave the animals in the Domain, and revitalize the exhibits, while having the monorail active again, they'll be forced to charge those that can't make it up/down the hill, unless those with Handicap permits ride for free or get some kind of discount.

Secondly, if they bring all the animals up to the planned Canadian Wilderness, that leaves the Domain empty, and a large portion of the monorail ride uneventful.

Seems like they need to find a balance in what is to be done with the Domain animals.

Personally, I think leaving larger animals, and possibly bringing in more larger animals to the Domain would work for the monorail ride. At the same time, bringing up animals that are smaller and more likely to be visited up to a new Canadian Wilderness section.

From my experience, people that go down to the Domain, are going to see the Grizzly Bear. Especially, since there is a feeding time. The other animals along the way are just bonus for the trip down.

Lastly, another thing to take into consideration is that the Monorail, goes a lot deeper into the Domain than we're allowed to walk. I wonder what will be done with that area?
 
They posted the Attendance and Revenue Report - January-March 2016 on the Board meeting website. It brings good news for the zoo.

Attendance is ahead of the budgeted number by 13.6%. This is of course due to the warmer than average temperature from January to March, with temperature averaging around -1, as oppose to the -7 in 2015.

Also, the baby boom at the zoo helped attracted people to come visit. White Lions have been on at least partial display since the beginning of the year, with Juno the Polar Bear cub being introduced late February, and finally the arrival of the Panda twins in March along with the Indian Rhino calf.
 
In case you haven't heard, the zoo is moving forward with the proposal of the Maglev ride.
 
That's exciting news. I normally don't like rides in zoos (especially when they cost so much), but this sounds really promising.
 
My brother went to the zoo today (lucky him), and he said that down in the Canadian Domain and there were 2 large Bison in the old Musk Ox exhibit. I'm wondering if they're the males.
 
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