Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo - Developments 2016
- Thread starter TZFan
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The babirusa are still at the zoo. They have just been relocated for the time being while the reno is going on. I haven't heard exactly where they are but my guess is perhaps the giraffe house (Muna and Olive stayed there two winters ago) or the rhino/kudu house where there is probably space with the birds out for the summer.
whitters23
Member
Last year around this time... maybe in July, I was speaking with a volunteer for a good while at the Polar Bears. She was telling me that they expected Aurora was pregnant (which she turned out to be) but I'm pretty sure she mentioned that Nikita was not able to get pregnant. I might have misunderstood but I am pretty sure she said something along those lines. She was also telling me that polar bears are very sensitive when it comes to birth control. They aren't like other mammals where they can be taken on and off of it when needed. Once put on birth control they are infertile forever. Might be something to ask the next time you are around a Polar bear keeper, just to confirm.
I don't think Nikita or Aurora was ever put on birth control. Polar bear breeding is easy to control. If its breeding season remove the male problem solved. They have fixed breeding cycles and they don't need to be together. The girls have never lived in a place where that wasn't an option. Other species like lions need birth control because they live in mixed prides and have no fixed breeding cycle or other animals which might stay in mixed groups and may also include family members (the gorillas). That's not really the case with the polar bears though.
And if Nikita had been on birth control Aurora would too. They have always lived together and would have had the same needs in terms of reproductive control. Zoos wouldnt use birth control on polar bears if it caused life long infertility in a species. It can be a problem in some species but I highly doubt it would have been used with the girls given the simple birth control method available. And if it had and if it had the effect you were told Aurora would be sterile too.
Polar bears are very difficult to breed in captivity. The fact that 3 captive born litters were born in North American zoos last year was nothing short of a miracle. Normally its one... more often none. Toronto and Toledo have the best record in the past say 10 years with multiple litters to the same parents. There aren't a lot of proven individuals. Nikita has never been pregnant but most females fall into that boat. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Toronto sent Inkushuk back to St. Felicien to breed with their two females (he is proven with one of the two) and brought their male Eddy to Toronto to have a crack at our girls. Would be nice to see if the unproven animals can in fact reproduce... especially since it will be probably 4-6 years before Assinoboine's youngsters start to mature. Although I would not be surprised if in a couple of years if Cochrane's young male Henry arrived. Cochrane seems to only hold Toronto bears.
The most likely answer for the lack of success with Nikita is likely the difficulty in breeding polar bears or a condition Nikita has that is preventing pregnancy or a combination of the two.
Some times you really need to know your keepers to know who knows their stuff. Some know nothing and just talk and others are a wealth of great info. I have heard some very wrong stuff come out of keepers mouths. Usually its younger or seasonal keepers.
And if Nikita had been on birth control Aurora would too. They have always lived together and would have had the same needs in terms of reproductive control. Zoos wouldnt use birth control on polar bears if it caused life long infertility in a species. It can be a problem in some species but I highly doubt it would have been used with the girls given the simple birth control method available. And if it had and if it had the effect you were told Aurora would be sterile too.
Polar bears are very difficult to breed in captivity. The fact that 3 captive born litters were born in North American zoos last year was nothing short of a miracle. Normally its one... more often none. Toronto and Toledo have the best record in the past say 10 years with multiple litters to the same parents. There aren't a lot of proven individuals. Nikita has never been pregnant but most females fall into that boat. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Toronto sent Inkushuk back to St. Felicien to breed with their two females (he is proven with one of the two) and brought their male Eddy to Toronto to have a crack at our girls. Would be nice to see if the unproven animals can in fact reproduce... especially since it will be probably 4-6 years before Assinoboine's youngsters start to mature. Although I would not be surprised if in a couple of years if Cochrane's young male Henry arrived. Cochrane seems to only hold Toronto bears.
The most likely answer for the lack of success with Nikita is likely the difficulty in breeding polar bears or a condition Nikita has that is preventing pregnancy or a combination of the two.
Some times you really need to know your keepers to know who knows their stuff. Some know nothing and just talk and others are a wealth of great info. I have heard some very wrong stuff come out of keepers mouths. Usually its younger or seasonal keepers.
whitters23
Member
Sorry, I wasn't saying that either of the girls had ever been put on birth control. That was just a side note in our discussion, that polar bears can't be put on birth control. I found that interesting. Anyways, it might be worth asking an actual keeper next time if Nikita can breed and if they hope to breed her. I was talking to a volunteer before.
Oh I misunderstood sorry. They have tried breeding her every year since the polar bears returned and every year she has failed to get pregnant. Well not every year some years Inukshuk stayed in Cochrane while his boys were being reared. But they had been actively trying and at first very hopeful. I think they plan on not breeding for the time being. Inukshuk is already the father of 5 surviving cubs (3 boys and two girls)... Aurora as mother to her 3... and when there are just 20 polar bears in Canada with only 5 facilities holding them, more representation by Inukshuk and Aurora is not really needed... Plus his daughter Taiga has just entered maturity and they want her breeding with her male Yelle so if successful even more bears will be representing Inukshuk. If we could ship cubs to the US there would be more of a push on to keep Aurora breeding and try with Nikita but that is not legally possible. Placing Juno might be hard enough. It would just get harder with each additional Toronto born cub unless they mix up the father.
whitters23
Member
Very interesting. I didn't realize that we couldn't ship polar bears to the US or that so few polar bears were in Canadian facilities. Inukshuk's genes are definitely well represented in that case. Well it would be interesting to see if Nikita ever does breed. I would love to see a polar bear mum who keeps the babies. I always feel bad for the little ones all on their own, even though I understand why that has to be.
From my last discussion with a Polar Bear Keeper, their is an ongoing discussion on whether they'll breed Inukshuk with the girls again. Currently, it's no breeding, but that has more to do with space. When/If Juno is sent away to another facility, the discussion will again fall on whether breeding will take place.
It's just been too bad that the zoo when breeding Aurora has not just pulled the cubs. I will give them a pass on the first litter who knew she would eat them? I will even give them a pass on the second litter (Hudson's) because they tried to save them from being eaten just weren't able to save his siblings. I will give them a pass on the third litter because who knew at that point Aurora could not nurse and at least she didn't try to eat them. I start to get more critical by Humphrey's litter. By then they know she cannot nurse but are trying to help with that but when the first cub passed they should not have waited to pull them. And by Juno's litter there was absolutely no reason to think she could nurse so there was no reason the cubs shouldn't have been pulled immediately to increase the odds of survival for both cubs. They chose to let Juno's brother die. I know mom is best but in Aurora's case that is not true and likely never will be. It's not like she was gorilla, Josephine, who could be reintroduced the baby and participate in its rearing. If they choose to breed Aurora again I will be extremely disappointed if cubs are not pulled the moment they are convinced she is done giving birth. At least if they had done that this time Juno would likely be being raised with a sibling which is better for her socially.
Considering the number of facilities that can handle polar bears (5) and the space available for them 20 bears is a lot for Canada. I started a whole thread on polar bears in Canada if you would like to learn more.
Considering the number of facilities that can handle polar bears (5) and the space available for them 20 bears is a lot for Canada. I started a whole thread on polar bears in Canada if you would like to learn more.
Honestly I am glad only the 3 cubs survived.
Call me cruel, but if the majority of Auroras cubs had made it, we would have a metaphorical flood of genetically over-represented young bears in Canada. As it stands we only have around 30ish holding spaces give or take a few, and perhaps another 8-10 or so over the next 10-30 years. Having half a dozen full siblings would simply be a waste of valuable space, and limit the chances to breed the other, much more genetically valuable bears since there would be no room for their cubs.
Personally, I am pro stop breeding Inukshuk. He is in good hands with his 5 cubs. I wouldn't be opposed to Aurora breeding again, as long as it was a different male.
*sigh* if only the US would stop being so ignorant and re-allow the import of bears. Some of their founding stock is from Canada and Europe anyway, not like your working with a pure population down there anyways.
Call me cruel, but if the majority of Auroras cubs had made it, we would have a metaphorical flood of genetically over-represented young bears in Canada. As it stands we only have around 30ish holding spaces give or take a few, and perhaps another 8-10 or so over the next 10-30 years. Having half a dozen full siblings would simply be a waste of valuable space, and limit the chances to breed the other, much more genetically valuable bears since there would be no room for their cubs.
Personally, I am pro stop breeding Inukshuk. He is in good hands with his 5 cubs. I wouldn't be opposed to Aurora breeding again, as long as it was a different male.
*sigh* if only the US would stop being so ignorant and re-allow the import of bears. Some of their founding stock is from Canada and Europe anyway, not like your working with a pure population down there anyways.
whitters23
Member
I couldn't find an appropriate thread to put this Toronto Zoo related news in, so I guess I will stick it here even though it is not technically a "development".
I had a look on Tumblr and didn't find the zoo had much of a following so I started a blog of my own
Toronto Zoo Life
I had a look on Tumblr and didn't find the zoo had much of a following so I started a blog of my own
Toronto Zoo Life
New business proposals are giving us first looks at the future.
First up the Wildlife Health Centre's visitor space. Apparently we will get to look into radiology, surgery and labs. The focus of the contract seems to be the signage and displays within the spaces which will focus on the invisible zoo and its work with the animals at the zoo and wild conservation. While the contract will be handed out by the end of July construction... really installation of the furnishings is set for March 2017. I'm guessing the push will be on for a spring 2017 opening if all goes well which is well ahead of where we all assumed it would be given usual construction timelines. Last winter's mild weather must have been a big help in keeping on track. There is a nice map towards the end of the doc which shows the layout of everything. Kind of neat to see.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/2016/RFP 19 (2016-05) WHC Public Viewing Gallery 2016-06-20.pdf
And now to the project we have all been dying to learn more about for years... the orang outdoor exhibit. They are finally looking for a design team with construction slated to begin in April 2017! Bye Gaurs. You're space is going to give Puppe a chance to be outside!!! Boy I hope she lasts to be outside for at least one summer.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/2016/RFP 15 (2016-06) Orangutan Outdoor Exhibit.PV2.pdf
First up the Wildlife Health Centre's visitor space. Apparently we will get to look into radiology, surgery and labs. The focus of the contract seems to be the signage and displays within the spaces which will focus on the invisible zoo and its work with the animals at the zoo and wild conservation. While the contract will be handed out by the end of July construction... really installation of the furnishings is set for March 2017. I'm guessing the push will be on for a spring 2017 opening if all goes well which is well ahead of where we all assumed it would be given usual construction timelines. Last winter's mild weather must have been a big help in keeping on track. There is a nice map towards the end of the doc which shows the layout of everything. Kind of neat to see.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/2016/RFP 19 (2016-05) WHC Public Viewing Gallery 2016-06-20.pdf
And now to the project we have all been dying to learn more about for years... the orang outdoor exhibit. They are finally looking for a design team with construction slated to begin in April 2017! Bye Gaurs. You're space is going to give Puppe a chance to be outside!!! Boy I hope she lasts to be outside for at least one summer.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/2016/RFP 15 (2016-06) Orangutan Outdoor Exhibit.PV2.pdf
Glad to that this is starting to make some headway. I can't wait to see what kind of design is chosen.
It may be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping for an exhibit with no barrier, ie fencing, between the visitor and the animals. Mainly for photography purposes, but also it's overall more appealing to not have your vision blocked by a net of a fence like the Snow Leopard exhibit.
It may be wishful thinking, but I'm hoping for an exhibit with no barrier, ie fencing, between the visitor and the animals. Mainly for photography purposes, but also it's overall more appealing to not have your vision blocked by a net of a fence like the Snow Leopard exhibit.
Having read through most of the bid I think the focus will be on glass and netting. The glass for clear views. The netting to provide lots of vertical space yet keep the orangs in.
There was mention of platforms outside of the exhibit to excite the public. I would much rather see an o line like Indianapolis and the Smithsonian but maybe that's what they meant.
They have allocated $3.3 million for the exhibit. I don't know if that will be enough for an exhibit as dynamic as others. We shall see.
Since bidding for construction itself will take place in late winter we will still have a bit of a wait to see what might come.
There was mention of platforms outside of the exhibit to excite the public. I would much rather see an o line like Indianapolis and the Smithsonian but maybe that's what they meant.
They have allocated $3.3 million for the exhibit. I don't know if that will be enough for an exhibit as dynamic as others. We shall see.
Since bidding for construction itself will take place in late winter we will still have a bit of a wait to see what might come.
I don't mind the glass viewing in certain sections, for those "up close and personal" encounters with the animals, but I'm hoping those remain as small parts of the overall viewing.
Netting, or fencing that resembles anything like the Snow Leopard, or outdoor Gorilla exhibits, would be a step in the wrong direction in my opinion. This is largely due to the fact that the indoor exhibit already has an open viewing concept.
Also, I hope they try making everything in the exhibit look as natural as possible. I would really be disappointed to see large poles like we see in the indoor exhibit. Such an eye sore.
Netting, or fencing that resembles anything like the Snow Leopard, or outdoor Gorilla exhibits, would be a step in the wrong direction in my opinion. This is largely due to the fact that the indoor exhibit already has an open viewing concept.
Also, I hope they try making everything in the exhibit look as natural as possible. I would really be disappointed to see large poles like we see in the indoor exhibit. Such an eye sore.
I'm really hoping to see all poles disguised as trees. Given our zoos tendency to umm well cheap out I fully expect to see something along the indoor exhibit lines. How hard would it have been for the snow leopard exhibit to make the poles look like trees? Tall dead trees... Not very but it would have cost a lot more. I can see them going the same route with the orang exhibit. If they don't I will be pleasantly surprised.
Just saw a new commercial for the zoo. It featured Rhino calf Nandu running around in the yard being a playful calf before a message coming up saying "they won't be small forever" followed by your typical visit the zoo this summer.
A pretty nice commercial. And judging from the message reading as "they" I'm wondering if there are other commercials for the other newborns. Sadly, I can't find the commercial(s) anywhere online, not even the zoo's youtube page, which is a shame.
A pretty nice commercial. And judging from the message reading as "they" I'm wondering if there are other commercials for the other newborns. Sadly, I can't find the commercial(s) anywhere online, not even the zoo's youtube page, which is a shame.
Went to the zoo yesterday and today. Noticed a few things during my trips.
Panda mom Er Shun and the cubs were outdoors. Cubs were playing around, while Er Shun was eating. Nice to see, but I still think they should swap the Pandas between the enclosures. Put Er Shun and the cubs out in the large outdoor exhibit. It’ll allow more people to view the cubs at once, which could in turn lessen wait times.
They finally put the large make-shift nest in the exhibit with the Steller’s Sea Eagles. I’m wondering how the zoo will manage any possible future eggs. Hand rear or leave them to be raised naturally.
Wombat Hamlet was on exhibit, although a Keeper was trying to coax him off exhibit, to no avail. Noticed that he was limping on his hind right leg. He was only able to take a few steps before having to drag his leg along. Hate to say it, but he was looking pretty frail, which is not that much of a surprise considering he’s 34 years old and Wombat only live to around 15.
Not much going on, but there you go.
Panda mom Er Shun and the cubs were outdoors. Cubs were playing around, while Er Shun was eating. Nice to see, but I still think they should swap the Pandas between the enclosures. Put Er Shun and the cubs out in the large outdoor exhibit. It’ll allow more people to view the cubs at once, which could in turn lessen wait times.
They finally put the large make-shift nest in the exhibit with the Steller’s Sea Eagles. I’m wondering how the zoo will manage any possible future eggs. Hand rear or leave them to be raised naturally.
Wombat Hamlet was on exhibit, although a Keeper was trying to coax him off exhibit, to no avail. Noticed that he was limping on his hind right leg. He was only able to take a few steps before having to drag his leg along. Hate to say it, but he was looking pretty frail, which is not that much of a surprise considering he’s 34 years old and Wombat only live to around 15.
Not much going on, but there you go.
The zoo is probably waiting until the cubs can handle the bigger exhibit and are more likely to be spotted in the much larger space. Remember they have a lot of people who will be pretty ticked if they can't see them for large parts of the day. As they grow I would suspect they will need the space.
I do believe breeding is still a fair way off for the Sea Eagles. Zarina is 5 and is just entering maturity but Zakkar is only 3 so it will probably be another 2 to 3 years before any breeding activity could prove fruitful. Typically sea eagle eggs are left in the care of their parents provided they are doing the right things. If the eggs are being neglected then staff will step in. There are just 14 zoos with them in North America, with just 11 pairs who could breed.
Poor Hamlet. Hopefully its just a bad day and not the beginning of the end.
I do believe breeding is still a fair way off for the Sea Eagles. Zarina is 5 and is just entering maturity but Zakkar is only 3 so it will probably be another 2 to 3 years before any breeding activity could prove fruitful. Typically sea eagle eggs are left in the care of their parents provided they are doing the right things. If the eggs are being neglected then staff will step in. There are just 14 zoos with them in North America, with just 11 pairs who could breed.
Poor Hamlet. Hopefully its just a bad day and not the beginning of the end.