Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo - Developments 2016

Orangs, Budi and Sekali, have been put back together for breeding since Sekali clearly wasn't pregnant. Sekali was past any birth window from last springs romance which would have been Feb through early April. No 2016 orang baby. Disappointing. I will have to just live with the other babies born this year. From what I hear Budi and Sekali are already breeding again. So small chance of a Christmas baby. Has anyone heard if Budi and Ramai ever bred? I know they were socializing and she seemed to like him which considering Ramai's less then social nature was promising.

And in case anyone missed Mr Wrinkly's photo in the gallery Von Decken's Hornbill, Heinz, has finally gone on display in the African Pavilion. He has only been at that zoo for over a year. Unfortunately things are not going well and he is being bullied so the zoo is trying to figure out what to do.

Also noticed they are looking for an exhibit design person who will do painting and make models. I didn't think any exhibits were being renovated at this time... at least nothing major. Anyone heard of anything happening? Here is the job post.

http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/jb/Exhibit Design Casual 2016-04-12.pdf

The zoo has given up hope on African otter pups, not surprising. At 17 years old (approximately) Fred is too old to get the job done. Again not surprising since the oldest father on record is 13. Given the small exhibit I think its doubtful they will bring in a new male until Fred passes but part of me wonders if that is even the right thing to do. Toronto has never successfully bred the species despite having 3 pairs. The exhibit seems undersized in comparison to the river otter exhibit. Two animals in there seems a lot. A family would be too crowded. Might be time to consider shipping Lila off while she is still young enough to breed, let Fred live out the rest of his days and then replace the species with something better suited to such a small exhibit.
 
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I read through the job posting and I think it may be for an existing position. I met a lady working on some of the rocks outside Tundra Trek, touching up some of the paint, possibly the same position, or could be something totally different.

I agree with TZFan about the otters, I don't think I've ever seen them do anything other that sleep and that exhibit is way to small. Though I can't think of a appropriate species that would work in that enclosure as a replacement, maybe a species of turtle, but that's all I can think of without getting rid of the space all together and putting something new there like a small aviary or terrarium of some sort.
 
In terms of the Otters in the African exhibit, I have rarely seen both Otters swimming in the exhibit. When they are, it's clear that the exhibit is too small. I agree with the sentiment of eventually getting rid of the Otters in there and replacing them with a species more suitable for that small space.
 
I don't actually want to get rid of the otters but looking around the pavilion I just don't see a ton of options where they could go. You would need a spot with water filtration already in place.

The hippo exhibit? Not an option. They wont give up the pygmy hippos especially with an incoming female. Not that I would want them to go.

The west African dwarf crocs? Its a different exhibit but still feels too small. Plus being so close to the gorillas might create too much congestion in an area already prone to congestion.

The ibis exhibit? I really don't think that would happen. The pool is too small and shallow so major work would need to be done. Plus what would you do with so many birds who are now displaced?

The Nile soft shell turtle exhibit? The only viable contender. Dotty's species might not be all that common in captivity (at least in North America) but neither are African otters. And harsh reality otters are bigger draws than a turtle no matter the species. The exhibit is larger and could hold otters. Some renos would naturally be needed. We would loose underwater viewing which sucks but the exhibit could do. Finding a new home for Dotty at another zoo might be tricky though.

If we were talking starting from scratch somewhere... where could it go?

The most reasonable choice is probably to see them go. Lila is still young enough to breed. Years of reproductive potential have been wasted on breeding attempts with a male who while wild born and thus extremely genetically valuable, is past breeding prime and has never reproduced. Their population in captivity is so small, has such a low birth rate and infant survival rate that it doesn't make a ton of sense to let a potential breeding female stay in a situation where she will never contribute. While Fred likes Lila and her company he would be fine on his own. He was for awhile after Ginger died and before Lila arrived. Plus he wont be around a lot longer anyway.

What could replace them? Fish, turtles, ducks of some sort, maybe drain the pool and put in the new nile monitor, more exhibits for different reptile and amphibian species or a bird aviary. There are lots of choices. None are as cool as an otter.
 
More news... gorilla, Sadiki, has been removed from the troop for good. Keepers had been hoping they could keep him with Charles longer but something must have happened to force their hand. Sadiki will remain on his own for the time being with visits from his favourite little brother Nassir. Since they are to stay as a pair through their bachelorhood the time Nassir spends with his brother and away from the troop will gradually increase until full separation is complete at a time when Ngozi and Nassir are both ready for it. Could still be a good long while because Nassir is young but other males younger than him have been pulled to be paired with older brothers.

What will happen with the boys once Nassir is ready for that shift? Question is up in the air. Toronto could house them as a bachelor pair separate from the troop since they do have holdings and the day room in addition to the main exhibit and outdoor exhibit. They could also be sent away to join young bachelor troop or to help form a new one. I have other far more elaborate theories one of which I heavily favor as a realistic potential in the next year or two.

But for now Sadiki will likely be on his own when you see him or just with Nassir.
 
It's too bad that Sadiki is on his own. Hopefully the zoo gives him lots of enrichment and Nassir visits as often as popular. I'm guessing something happened between him Charles. I know that last year I was talking to a keeper who said Sadiki constantly annoys Charles and eventually they would have to find something to do about it.

I'm glad that the hornbill is finally on exhibit in the African pavilion. If he's being bullied, I think he could either go in the starling exhibit or the bully could just be taken off exhibit or moved somewhere else. I really don't want to see the hornbill be taken off exhibit, since it's such a cool species.

As for the African otters, I think that once the male passes, the zoo should send the female somewhere else. I have always thought that the spotted-necked otter exhibit is one of the worst parts of the zoo. Like TZFan said, there is no great place to put them. While the soft-shell turtle exhibit could be ok, I heard that the zoo plans on moving the Radiated tortoises there once the Nile monitor grows too big for its current exhibit. I wouldn't mind seeing some new terrariums or an aviary in the otter exhibit's place.
 
Some ***** jumped off the ramp beside the tiger exhibit so she could get her hat. One of the tigers, like Hari, bolted up to her and was very agitated to see a human where one doesn't belong. A hat just isn't worth it.

Trending: Woman jumps tiger barrier at Toronto Zoo to recover hat - CityNews

In lighter hearted news... I wont ruin it just read... should give you a chuckle while providing no new info on the monorail.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...ng-monorail-back-to-the-toronto-zoo-1.3539013

And finally the biogas plant will break ground.

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/6499654-biogas-plant-at-toronto-zoo-set-to-break-ground/
 
Idiot people never cease to amaze me. By going after that hat, they showed all the kids around that doing stupid things for insignificant items is alright.
 
When I was applying to be a zoo volunteer, one of the questions I had to answer was how I would respond if someone dropped an item off the bridge near the tiger enclosure. I guess there wasn't a volunteer there to tell this person that it was a terrible idea to jump down. I'm just glad they weren't hurt.
 
Tigers, Hari and Kemala, were reintroduced to each other today in hopes of breeding. Hari showed some interests but Kemala not so much, however the interactions were peaceful. Keepers stood by observing.
 
The naming contest for the rhino calf has been launched. From the zoo's facebook page:

It’s time to Name Our Rhino Calf! It’s a battle of the Keepers and you can help decide which name will be chosen for our little calf.

Choose your favourite of three names:
Nandu from Keeper Ryan
Vihaan from Keeper Matt
Kaziranga from Keeper Angie.

VOTE NOW at Toronto Zoo | Rhino Calf through May 17 and 11:59pm
 
Even though I've already committed to it, I definitely like Vihaan better than the other names.
 
I like the others better but he is the son of Vishnu, son of Vinu... he must be Vihaan! Nothing else will do.
 
So the zoo put out a bid for replacement of the roof of the Indian Rhino Pavilion. Thought this was being pushed back, but I looks like it's going to start soon.

Don't have the time nor patience to go through the 206 page document posted, but it look like work can start as early as late May and must be completely by July 15.
 
While I don't know much about the roof in the rhino pavilion, it is nice to see the zoo trying to get smaller projects done. It's smart to do it in the summer when the rhinos will be in their outdoor exhibit.

For the baby rhino's name, I actually didn't mind any of them, but I still voted for Vihaan (which was my favourite of the three anyways).
 
The panda twins have begun to have access to the great outdoors. Check out facebook to see.

Tur, Sarah, had to have an eye removed due to an injury. She is doing well. At least people will be able to identify one of the tur now.
 
With the busy hours of work over, I finally had some time during the week to go to the zoo, so that’s what I did today.

Finally got a chance to see the Panda cubs for the first time. One of them, I think the male because it looked a bit bigger than the other cub, was moving around the exhibit, although not doing much of anything. It was nice to see, and they’ll definitely bring in the crowds. I just feel their appeal won’t last into next year. Although, I’m happy to here they’re being introduced to the outdoors. Because the indoor viewing is such a small and cramped area, that it’s not worth the wait in seeing them.

I noticed that neither Red Pandas were in the main exhibit. Wasn’t sure why until I looked up in the trees. There was a pretty large Raccoon sleeping in the top of one of the trees in the exhibit. Clearly staff need to remove the raccoon, before allowing the Red Pandas back in the exhibit.

Got a chance to see Suria with the rest of the Camel’s. She’s visibly smaller than Jozy for those that aren’t sure which one she is.

Ena was out on exhibit, but pretty shy when I was at the exhibit.

As TZFan mentioned, West Caucasian Tur, Sarah, had her left eye removed. Currently she’s alone in the small sectioned off part of the exhibit.

Noticed a few smaller Pot-Bellied Seahorses in the exhibit with the usual bunch. Haven’t been in that section for a while, so maybe someone else knows better than I do about the additions.

Despite the nice weather, I was a little bummed out to find that the White Lion were being held at the off exhibit viewing, leaving the main exhibit empty.

I was surprised to see the zoomobile operating today. So I hopped on. The announcer was a new and being trained, so there was really no new information being given. However, in the pathway between the Watusi exhibit and the Watusi housing were what I believe were 4 Eland. I couldn’t get a good picture of them, but it was definitely a type of antelope, and we all know that we have the Eland. Just need to confirm that the Eland were the animals I saw. If they were Eland, I’m surprised to see them at the Watusi exhibit, as last I heard the plan was that they were to be put in the third yard of the Giraffe exhibit.

Lastly, this one might make a couple of you lose faith in humanity, but while in the America’s Pavilion, in the section with the Alligators and insects, a group of high school kid’s found a small toad hopping around. From speaking with Keepers in the past, I know that there are quite a few toads and frogs that have made their way indoors to escape the winter, and usually they stick around not leaving the Pavilion. Keepers know about them, and aren’t looking to get rid of them. Basically, they aren’t harming any of the animals, so they’re generally left alone. Anyways, one of these high school kids decided to toss the toad into the Alligator exhibit and was eventually eaten after 20 minutes of being chased by the 2 gators. I told a Keeper about it, and they said that despite it being an unfortunate circumstance, everything should be alright. I did tell one of the teachers about the incident and they were pretty ticked off about it, as that could’ve been an animal that somehow managed to escape an exhibit, which her students basically threw to its death. Needless to say, the students will be punished, as I had no problem pointing them out to the teacher.
 
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