Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2021

Oh yes, the member early access was a dream visit for the Panda. It was the only time I was more likely to catch them awake and active. Haven't used it for the Amur Tigers, but maybe I'll try at some point. In the past, they told you to only visit the Pandas, as the rest of the zoo was still "closed". Nowadays, they let in for early admission, but most of the zoo still seems closed.
 
As I witnessed today and sometimes other days, the animals are always not 100% going to show up out and about, so it can be hit or miss, but when it is a hit, it’s a whole different experience with you and the animal. Truly a great moment most of the times.
 
In my experience, I find that sometimes it's the keepers that are running late, as most of them are in exhibits cleaning up or readying the exhibit with food for the animal switch. Now, yes, it could be that switching the animals can be difficult and time consuming, but more often then not, I don't think that's always the case. It comes to the keepers schedule, which has them on exhibit around opening time. I say this for a number of reasons. I've spoke to keepers in the past that have said, this is the case, and during my height of visiting 3-4 times a week, it happened way too often to strictly be an animal giving the keepers a hard time situation. That's where I'd like to see management step in and find a solution. By 9:00am the animals closest to the entrance should be out. Switches should be complete and everything ready for visitors. Tourist can be easily annoyed or angry to finally get here, and then find that half the animals aren't out when they came by early morning. It's just bad practice.

However, @Akula, you do have a fair point that when you get the one-on-one with animals during the early exclusive time, it's awesome.
 
TZFan said:
@StellarChaser, no the meerkats are not on phase out. The current mob is elderly at 12-14 and they could easily be down to 1-2 or even none. Now I know that sounds like I just said they are being phased out. And I guess its kind of true. The current mob is being allowed to die out. They were a sibling set of 6 when they arrived. Once the last one is gone they will tell the SSP they are ready for a new mob and more will be sent. Hopefully a breeding group. The plan is for the meerkats to live with the porcupine which is a usually successful combo. Now Mr P has been there for some time now and the fact they aren't mixed must mean the current mob didnt take to the idea or they are all dead. Hard to say. Might need for one of you to find a keeper and ask where the mob is.

When it comes to the caracal I have honestly not heard a peep since finding out one was coming. I did hear last summer a little before I found out we definitely had one on hold that the plan was porcs in with the meerkats and the zoo wanted a caracal but they were looking into other options too. The fact Mr P was moved over the winter seems to tell me they are pretty sure they will get her and at the time probably thought for spring. But covid dominates all transfers which is likely why the hornbill brothers are over there. The hornbills have homes ready for them in the US once they can go and it will be easier to pull them from there than catch them up from the savanna. Im guessing they now hope for fall. Again covid and travel restrictions because of it will likely continue to dictate things. The zoo has a ton of species they could just rent a truck for and drop off all along the way down the eastern seaboard to Florida and pick up several species on their way back home. They wont do it that way but could.
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It seems like the Covid dominates transfer-in more than transfer-out. The two snow leopard siblings are already transferred out, while the time of bringing in the male snow leopard from Calgary and the caracal are still unconfirmed.
 
@StellarChaser, where did you hear male snow leopard, Mylo, had definitely been transferred out? They have only confirmed Kita, which makes sense because she was headed within Canada. They did say Mylo would go as soon as possible but that it would depend on boarder closures.

We could get male Pemba from Calgary just as soon as they agree to fork him over which they haven't yet. Again somewhat simple for a transfer because its within Canada. The caracal needs to cross that border from Little Rock so it might be a wait.

Covid will continue to dominate transfers for the foreseeable future until the boarder is opened and possibly still impact it for awhile afterwards because of whatever rules keepers accompanying them need to follow. The purpose of going with the animal is to help facilitate their transition to their new home and make them comfortable with a familiar face. That has to be kinda hard when that face needs to quarantine for 10 days (longer than they usually stay). And the zoo would need to be without their keeper and member of the vet team who also went for an additional 10 days upon their return. Logistically with staff it might be a nightmare.
 
The zoo is popup clinic at the zoo to get you Covid shot today and tomorrow, between the hours of 4-7pm. those who register also get free admission to the zoo and free parking.
 
Good on the zoo for that! I hope its being well advertised. Totally makes sense for them to do it. The zoo can't very well afford another closure because people don't get vaccinated and we get another wave that requires lockdown. Also smart marketing you appear you care but at the same time a family comes they still would get the admission price for the kids who can't be vaccinated and hopefully the family spends money at the zoo.
 
Yes, it's really good that they help with vaccinating the public. Pus, maybe they have people that come and end up liking the zoo and maybe buy a membership. It's all around smart thinking.

Also, during my last visit on Saturday, I forgot to mention that the Cheetah run looks to be setup again in the exhibit.
 
The Wildlife Health Centre and the Greenhouse have reopened. Nice Tuesday morning surprise for me.
 
@Kalvin just a few questions, which giraffes were out, Amani out with her parents? Also which Orangutans were out and as for the Pygmy hippos, did you see anything with Harvey and Kindia?
 
@Akula All three giraffes were out. Ramai and Jingga were out in the morning, I think it's likely they'll have Puppe out in the afternoon but no promises. The hippos were all quite sleepy when I went by. Kindia was lounging in the pool and Penelope was sleeping next to the tree. Harvey was also asleep in his wallow with a piece of lettuce on his head
 
Lol definitely sounds like Harvey to have food on his head. I guess they are trying to put Budi with Ramai for only a few days to a week. Glad to see that the Giraffes were all out today.
 
Nice that the health center and greenhouse have reopened.

The health center is definitely one of my favorite places to visit around 11am when someone is in for a procedure. I love seeing the team at work. For most guests that dont know the health center is open, they never get to see or appreciate the work the vet team does. Honestly one of the best moves made by the zoo was to open it up for viewing. One of my most memorable visits was when I was lucky enough to to see a Vancouver Island Marmot in for an exam.

And the horticulture team deserves to show off their collection just as much as the animal team. They have been working just as hard through the pandemic but have not been able to still connect with people the way the animal team has. It'll be nice for them to show off their passion projects as well. I just wish more of the greenhouse was open to guests. I'm not a big plant person but I can admit a lot of those plants are interesting to see. Put them in with animals and I dont see or appreciate them. Separate them and I will actually look. Lol.

Budi might only be with Ramai while she is cycling so that Ramai's bond with Jingga isnt altered by to much separation. It's probably much easier to have just 4 groups right now. Once Jingga is gone that might change.
 
Based on the newest Podcast from the Zoo they are looking at a 2022, March opening.
 
I didn't listen to the podcast, but I think it would be logical to think of the the March opening more as a completion date. March is on average between -4 and 5 degrees throughout the day. Generally, that's lower than the recommended temperature. Plus, there wouldn't be much point moving the Orangutans outdoors and we get snow and they have to be brought back in. However, if construction is complete in March, they might do what they did with parts of Eurasia, and allow members exclusive access to the exhibit with no animals. I think they even let people walk in the exhibit back then, although I can't say for sure, as I didn't attend it.

As previously mentioned, Easter would probably be the more logical grand opening date. Chances of weather cooperating are better then.
 
@cypher, I agree. March (probably March break would be the goal) just wont work as an opening date. Its far too cold still and even if it was a super warm winter which I don't think its supposed to be from what I have heard, there is no way they could get the orangs comfortable by then. February would definitely be too cold to start letting even the boys who you might be willing to take bigger risks with out there. It wont open until the snow is gone and its been warm for awhile. They need to give the orangs a little time to settle in, especially if we are waiting on babies or have new infants. The big goal would be to get Budi out there with as many females as they can and hopefully a new baby or two so the exhibit seems as full of life as possible. But for a second lets forget the needs of the orangs. There are some practical things besides them to consider. They will need to give the exhibit grass a chance to take root and they probably wont be far enough along to plant sod by the time its too cold for it to survive the winter. Some of the other plants might be ok but the grass wouldnt. If the grass hasnt taken route the orangs exploring it will likely destroy it. It will be a new and novel thing to them just as much as any other part of the exhibit. The most grass I can remember being in the indoor exhibit is some sparse thin patches barely surviving. The younger three might not have even seen grass before. I also dont know if some of the visitor elements would be ready. Anything digital likely wouldnt be installed until spring when its warmer. And there is the water element they want to put in that they couldn't turn on unless it was warm enough to douse guests with water. People wouldnt like it if they get wet and its cold. Since this is something new and unique I would think they would want to showcase it opening weekend. They also would need to teach the orangs how to use the triggering device and that might take time. Lots of things to think about and consider.

For the first time though I think they might have a more realistic completion date with March. That might be the first completion date they have given that they just might hit.
 
Yeah on the topic of timing they said 6-8 months, for an opening the episode was from July 28, so it could be April, but definitely not January, it depends on how it’s interpreted, because it’s at the end of July they may or may not have included August. The time Stamp on the podcast was around 2:20 so at the very beginning of the episode and really promoting the exhibit.
 
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