Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2021

The Caribou Cafe (Tundra Trek) bathrooms are fabulous! I didn't check to see if other bathrooms were also updated (I will check next week when I go back). Definitely money well spent, COVID or no COVID, the bathrooms needed an upgrade.

Is Goat World new? Well, it's new to me! In concept it's really great - lots of different structures at different heights. But there were only a few goats for such a big space and they weren't terribly active. Hopefully they get more goats and those goats have babies!

There was a fire at Splash Island on the weekend. Not sure how bad it was, but staff members were saying it will delay the opening.

I really liked walking down to the Mayan Temple ... it's a beautiful spot! It was nice to see so many people enjoying it!

I think my favourite for today was the Golden-Lion Tamarin exhibit ... they were playful, talking to one another and seemed to be loving the visitors! My second favourite ... walking around and smelling all the flowers! I'm not sure which flowers were so fragrant in the African Savannah, but it was amazing! The horticulturists are impressive!

Anyway, lovely to be back and to see so many people enjoying our Zoo again!
 
The domain work definitely not for tigers based on the photos. None of thats big enough. Also doesnt seem complex enough if the lynx needs to be moved, the current exhibit is better. Also seems boring if they want to relocate the coons. It really eliminates most big animals, birds are out too. I think it would be too weak an enclosure to hope for wolverines, the dressings also not up to wolverine toughness in my opinion. Maybe fishers? Martin? Porcupine? Bobcat? Ok even the bobcat that seems weak. The climbing structure makes me doubt a fox. Too small for coyotes and the climbing structure. Those ideas are just me spit balling. I literally have no clue. I have a friend headed down there this week so I have them working on it if its not figured out first by one of us.

@kknudsen the other bathrooms were to be done. I know definitely the one by the burrows was under major construction. Tundra Treks are the only ones we have seen.

Goat World is most definitely new. They have been working on it since the snow melted. I think they should put the alpacas and donkey in with them. Get them a bigger better enclosure if you are going to blow money on domestic animals instead of the other species who could use the money much more. If they add breeding goats thats fine as long as they think ahead and have a deal with a farmer who will give them a good lifelong home come fall.

Weird there was a fire at the splash pad. But if any part of the zoo must burn I would gladly let it be the splash pad instead of anything that could impact the animal or plant collection.

By the way really appreciating all the updates! This is why we all love zoo chat.

Oh ya is it just me or in the facebook live from the Australiasia aviary are the concrete walls now all painted green? I dont remember seeing that last year but I am somewhat oblivious when Im looking at animals.
 
I asked a friend about the work in domain and he showed me this map from the zoo's website that has a fox where the raccoon exhibit is currently. Maybe we'll be seeing a fox move into the raccoon habitat and the raccoons will become neighbours with the bison? If that's the case I hope they aren't finished with it - the area they have to climb definitely seems like a step down from what they have now
 
Interesting. Kalvin you are a great source of info. Glad you joined us!

The map is interesting because that's definitely not a lynx or coon. It sure does look like a fox. But it is on the lynx side of the path which is note worthy. Absolutely everyone else is on the right side of the path for their photo. Makes me wonder if they just set up a temporary home for the lynx and will flip a fox species into the lynx exhibit.

I'm not a domain person. Last time I was down there was like 6 years ago. The exhibit you are describing is it the old wolf enclosure? If so it is lynx worthy because Hamilton's father Ryan lived in it each time he sired a litter. Maybe they are just improving it a little for her until she goes.

Lets say its a fox (could be coyote too) wonder what fox we are getting. Red? Arctic and we are just trying them somewhere else? Grey? Swift? If we had to get one I would pick Swift. At least they have an SSP so we are contributing to something. I also love arctic but I will forever be miffed they are not in Tundra Trek then. Red or grey is fine I guess. I dont think they need coyotes especially since they are such a problem in the zoo with animal deaths. Don't really need anything encouraging them to stick around. But then again maybe the zoo does want them to in theory act as a deterrent. Maybe if there is a resident pack in the zoo it would encourage the wild ones to stay further away.
 
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In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day the zoo is offering free admission to those with a status card, Metis card, or an Inuit Health Branch Client Identification Number (N-Number) on June 21 and June 22. Proof must be provided and a timed entry already booked. Nice of the zoo to offer this considering how rough the last year has already been financially. With reduced capacity on their first weekend open to offer anyone free admission is huge. Way to engage the community and show people they care.
 
So I finally had a chance to visit the zoo yesterday. I was a really nice outing, and because it's been such a long time since my last visit, it felt very new-ish.

I know some of this has been mentioned by others, but I just want to list the things I noticed.

The new signage throughout the zoo is really well done. It's been a need for quite sometime now, so to see it is really good. Most signage is to replace old signage, but it's a nice fresh update in those cases.

The Indian Rhino wallow is under construction, so as someone mentioned, you get a chance to see the back end of the Indian Rhino exhibit, plus you get a chance to see the Himalayan Tahr, which are usually only visible on the Zoomobile tour.

I noticed only 3 Watusi on exhibit, did we lose some?

Took the walk down to the Domain. The Raccoon exhibit is empty, and the Raccoons are occupying the Lynx exhibit. Cougar exhibit was empty. I completely missed the structures in the old wolf exhibit, as the sign said no animal on exhibit, so i didn't bother looking in the direction much. But looking at @Kalvin photos, those are definitely in the old Wolf exhibit.

Never used the new washroom, but my brother did, and he said it wasn't anything spectacular, but a generally nice public washroom.

Love the pathway from Tundra to the Mayan Temple.

Also, welcome @kelvin. Always nice to see a new person join the discussion.
 
@cypher, yes we have lost some watusi. Bart and Milhouse died within the last year if I recall correctly. Probably why you don't remember as I know you didn't really visit in 2020.

Interesting the coons moved to the lynx exhibit. What a waste of an exhibit for such commonly seen garbage bandits.

The cougar exhibit was probably empty for a reason you you just missed Bailey. He did a Facebook live the other day so unless something happened in the last few days he's alive and well. Felicia though died last summer. Could have been just hidden or out for a health check. Tis the season for health checks.
 
I thought so. That sucks to lose 2 of the Watusi.

Yeah, I'm not sure for the reasoning for the Raccoons being in the Lynx exhibit.

I saw that we lost Felicia, but Bailey was definitely hiding if he was on exhibit.
 
I'm honestly all for the watusi dying out. The sooner the better. Then the zoo can replace them with an SSP species. I doubt the current management team would have picked the species. I'm all about using space for SSP animals as often as possible and thats a big exhibit which could better be used for numerous African hoofstock species.

The raccoon, I'm not sure either. I mean is it a better exhibit for them. Absolutely. Anything is better than that old pit exhibit. However keeping coons at the cost of lynx not a price we should pay. At least the lynx has an SSP.

If exhibit dressings in the old wolf exhibit was far more robust and better done I might wonder if it was a trickle down the hill improvement. Coons get the lynx exhibit. Lynx gets the cougar exhibit. Cougar gets the old wolf exhibit. I think far more renos would be needed though particularly the height of the fence given a cougars skill set.
 
I would rather the Watusi are moved elsewhere to make room for something more interesting. I remember the disappointment in the air when they first arrived. What animal(s) would you like to see in the Watusi exhibit.

The old wolf exhibit would definitely need an improvement if Cougars are placed in there. But that would leave the current Cougar exhibit empty and in need of occupancy.
 
Addax, gemsbok, Arabian oryx, sable antelope, bontebok, gerenuk, scimitar horned oryx, impala, nyala, lechwe, steenbok, kob, cape buffalo, springbok, sitatunga, waterbuck, any gazelle. Clearly I'm not fussy. My only requirement... Have an SSP. In my ideal dream world I would make it a desert exhibit and go with addax and gemsbok (just because I like them more than both oryx) and a gazelle. Their barn though is not big enough for that dream to be possible. One species is all that's likely possible so addax, gemsbok or sable. There are other addax in Canada so they are a good option. If numbers were higher bontebok because they are super unique looking.

The improvements to the wolf exhibit would have to be massive. What's there from the photos is most definitely not for a cougar and doesn't really look permanent. But if the upgrades happened and Bailey moved into the wolf exhibit I provided the solution to his empty exhibit, move lynx Hamilton in there. It would be a massive improvement for her. I don't think this will be the case. The cougar is staying put. Someone will figure out our mystery. Too many zoo chatters are going over the next few weeks that someone wont find a keeper and get the scoop. Kalvin's already given us some great starting points.
 
Alas, I have figured it out! I emailed the zoo and they kindly got back to me about what is going in the old wolf exhibit. It will be home to a rehabilitated red fox named “Todd”. So be sure to keep an eye out for the little guy on your next visit!
 
And the mystery is solve! Team work for the win!

A red fox is fine. Not sure why all the other animals are on the move but maybe Hamilton died or was transferred and the zoo completed the lynx phase out.
 
A Red Fox rehabilitation area, ok, that makes sense. nice work @animalman0341

I took a trip to the zoo again today. And I'm curious, anyone have any idea when the Amur Tiger cub will be going on exhibit? I know that chances are it'll be going in the smaller exhibit, but when?
Today, the male was sleeping indoor, with access to both indoor and outdoors.

Steller's Sea Eagle has a new housing shelter piece in their exhibit in case they want some shade.

Arctic Fox exhibit under renovations. I doubt they'll be putting more foxes in their though. How many foxes have we lost to that exhibit?

Any idea if Walrus' are still happening? Because the exhibit looks unchanged since prior to Covid.

I've only notice 1 Blue and Yellow Macaw on exhibit at the Mayan Temple. Not sure if there's anything that happened there.
 
There is no way the tiger cub would be out until she's 8 weeks old so end of next week would be the earliest. However given the loss of its siblings and covid sensitivity of tigers they may wait a few extra weeks. So I'd say sometime between the start of July and mid July. My gut leans towards mid July as they are probably going to choose caution.

Glad the eagles are getting some more shade.

We have lost Cody, Sarah, Venus, Jupiter, Orage, Tempette and Elsa so 7. And other then Cody who was eaten by a great horned owl the rest died of a brain condition so I concur lets not get more foxes. I love the species but either the exhibit needs to be gutted, down to the bedrock and tried again or we need to get foxes from another source as it could be genetic. The plan though according to the animal plan was to convert it for whooping cranes which is an idea I hate. They are not a tundra animal and it drives me bonkers. You want cranes in the domain I am all for it.

I think the walrus deal is dead. No proof. But evidence does support that opinion. We were to get them last spring and keepers were heading to Aquarium Du Quebec for training. Most had been trained but the training was halted in February. The reason for ending the training was it was clear the exhibit wouldnt be ready because they had yet to select a construction team. The fact nothing has been done even with a full on closure for months last summer and all winter isn't a positive sign when so much other work has been done at the zoo. There is more evidence though. Last winter female polar bear Taiga died. She was to join us. That isnt a big deal but its the first part that starts to crumble the plan away. Then adult female walrus Arnie died. She was supposed to be the focus of the research study along with her daughter and hopefully a new pup that would be born at the zoo. That has left the Aquarium with just 3 walruses so to still send the immature female would mean we have a single walrus who will be lonely. They could send all three but then they would be without their walruses. And 2 males and a female doesnt meet the plans for research the zoo announced which the the relationship between mother and calf. Then further proof we wont get them, the aquarium brought back adult male polar bear Eddy and picked up 2 year old half brothers from Zoo Sauvage. They were supposed to take Hudson and Humphrey off our hands. Could they really handle 5 adult male polar bears? We kind of need them gone to have the space necessary to house the walruses. I really think when you line up all of the events and a total lack of updates on progress you will see the deal is dead. And funny enough I don't think we can blame Covid this time.

They had 2 blue and gold macaws on a Facebook live last week. Smartie and Sanchez. Missing were Maui and green winged macaw Vinnie. Something to keep an eye on this summer to see if they return or if they are gone for good.
 
Ditto, the Watusi can kick bricks.

Personally, I'd LOVE for Sable antelope to make a return. Gerenuk would be excellent as well.
 
hey all, newcomer here. big TZ fan and I just discovered this place a while back, it's awesome to find out that I'm not the only person obsessed with this zoo lol.

any of you guys know if the plan to move the Canadian Domain animals up to the main area and away from the Hill of Doom is still on or has covid put that one on the ropes? I know the new Master Plan is coming up soonish and everything stalled last year but it's a little weird that the raccoons are on the move and we're bringing in red foxes if that whole area is going under at some point in the future
 
Hey Hyena142, Always wonderful to get more of us Zoo lovers chatting. As of right now, based on the old master plan some animals are still to come up. But so many questions will be answered when the new master plan is revealed. That’ll also bring up new questions and opinions, So I can’t wait. Also I’m sure someone else on here may know more about the plans so stay tuned.
 
TZFan said:
There is no way the tiger cub would be out until she's 8 weeks old so end of next week would be the earliest. However given the loss of its siblings and covid sensitivity of tigers they may wait a few extra weeks. So I'd say sometime between the start of July and mid July. My gut leans towards mid July as they are probably going to choose caution.

Glad the eagles are getting some more shade.

We have lost Cody, Sarah, Venus, Jupiter, Orage, Tempette and Elsa so 7. And other then Cody who was eaten by a great horned owl the rest died of a brain condition so I concur lets not get more foxes. I love the species but either the exhibit needs to be gutted, down to the bedrock and tried again or we need to get foxes from another source as it could be genetic. The plan though according to the animal plan was to convert it for whooping cranes which is an idea I hate. They are not a tundra animal and it drives me bonkers. You want cranes in the domain I am all for it.

I think the walrus deal is dead. No proof. But evidence does support that opinion. We were to get them last spring and keepers were heading to Aquarium Du Quebec for training. Most had been trained but the training was halted in February. The reason for ending the training was it was clear the exhibit wouldnt be ready because they had yet to select a construction team. The fact nothing has been done even with a full on closure for months last summer and all winter isn't a positive sign when so much other work has been done at the zoo. There is more evidence though. Last winter female polar bear Taiga died. She was to join us. That isnt a big deal but its the first part that starts to crumble the plan away. Then adult female walrus Arnie died. She was supposed to be the focus of the research study along with her daughter and hopefully a new pup that would be born at the zoo. That has left the Aquarium with just 3 walruses so to still send the immature female would mean we have a single walrus who will be lonely. They could send all three but then they would be without their walruses. And 2 males and a female doesnt meet the plans for research the zoo announced which the the relationship between mother and calf. Then further proof we wont get them, the aquarium brought back adult male polar bear Eddy and picked up 2 year old half brothers from Zoo Sauvage. They were supposed to take Hudson and Humphrey off our hands. Could they really handle 5 adult male polar bears? We kind of need them gone to have the space necessary to house the walruses. I really think when you line up all of the events and a total lack of updates on progress you will see the deal is dead. And funny enough I don't think we can blame Covid this time.

They had 2 blue and gold macaws on a Facebook live last week. Smartie and Sanchez. Missing were Maui and green winged macaw Vinnie. Something to keep an eye on this summer to see if they return or if they are gone for good.
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Well, hopefully the Tiger cub gets only stronger and can help bring people into the zoo.

If their bring in a new species to replace the Arctic Fox, let's replace the Caribou. Exhibit is virtually empty as it i now.

Honestly, not too surprised about the Walrus.

We'll keep an eye on the Macaw's for sure.

Hey @hyena142, glad to have you chime in. Keeps things interesting with more people. And i think @Akula is right. we'll all have to wait for the new master plan to know what's going on for sure. Things were already being changed before Covid hit, so I expect more changes to come.
 
Hi hyena142, welcome to the land of the obsessed! I'm sure you will enjoy hours of reading and learning how "special" we all are. Lol.

I agree with Akula don't invest any thought into the old master plan. Having sat in on their web chat a few months again one thing was made very clear to me, the old plans are out. They didn't clearly state what the new plans are but the little snippets they did share made it evident this would be a plan unlike any other we have scene before. It's not even being done by a traditional zoo design firm. The only thing we can say for certain is the front entrance will be the next project because they already have the design plans. Absolutely everything else is up for grabs to be completely reimagined.

Just what until its released later this summer. There will be a flurry of posts that come in fast and furious. Not to mention the orang habitat's opening. You and Kalvin have joined us at a very interesting time. Buckle up its going to be a wild ride this summer.

@cypher there is no reason to replace the fairly new caribou. The exhibit is poorly designed for sure but the caribou are about to embark on a big reproductive study and we should be getting caribou calves. They are about to get interesting. The zoo should probably alter the terrain so people can see them better.

The kangaroo walkabout is open surprisingly. I wouldnt have thought they would want guests in with the roos.
Toronto zoo following safety protocols as reopening begins - CityNews Toronto

Currently only 3 Wild Encounters are being offered, penguin, kangaroo and giraffe.
 
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