Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2021
- Thread starter TZFan
- Start date
hyena142
Well-Known Member
That's great news! I'm really excited to see what the finished product looks like, the concept art is pretty impressive. Of course knowing the TZ and their history of budget issues we might not get everything those images promise but I think it'll be hard to disappoint me on this one even with cuts considering the alternative we've had for years for the orangs has been good ol' Steel Poles and Concrete Island. Fingers crossed they make it for Victoria Day weekend!
For those of you who don't have insta or missed Dolf's story here's the first look at the towers
For those of you who don't have insta or missed Dolf's story here's the first look at the towers
Im impressed with the climbing structure poles. They actually had them painted brown so they at least are tree colour and the Im going to call them vines around them are green. Not a great green but green. If they arent going to go realistic which is a crying shame at least there is a modest attempt at pretending. Certainly better then the ugly concrete posts in the snow leopard exhibit.
hyena142
Well-Known Member
Some more new pics of the orang construction (plus a new Indian rhino sign) courtesy of Dolf's insta
The zoo has partnered with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra to connect kids with music and wildlife. The program called Zoophony will be released to schools Nov 22.
The Toronto Zoo & Toronto Symphony Orchestra Are Making A 'Zoophony' Using Animal Sounds
The Toronto Zoo & Toronto Symphony Orchestra Are Making A 'Zoophony' Using Animal Sounds
@Jefferson, you forgot to say it was the penguin exhibit they are working on. Been there, done that myself. Guess we know why it was blocked off now. Wonder what they are up to inside. Interesting it says for a few weeks. If they were just slapping up shade structures it wouldnt take more than a day or two like the other exhibits. Though the pool probably will be getting a deep clean before winter. Maybe they need to replace glass in the pool too. I would love it if they took down the seating. Just dirty looking covered in weeds.
Could they potentially take out seating and expand the penguin exhibit/ set up penguin walks?
Additionally, I don’t know if this is the place to ask but what did this exhibit house before the penguins?
hyena142
Well-Known Member
@Aelita I dunno if they're gonna go that far but anything's possible, it's definitely weird that they've closed off one of their superstar exhibits for a pretty long time just a few weeks before the penguins go inside for the winter and everyone has to crowd around that one window to see them. Plus the indoor exhibit is blocked off too, if they were just draining the pool or whatever why wouldn't they just put the penguins in winter mode now and just block the outdoor section off? Something's definitely going on over there and I'm really excited to see what.
Before the penguins showed up in 2011 that exhibit used to have African fur seals! They were a lot of fun from what I remember, didn't visit them too often when I was a kid but when I did I always had a great time.
Before the penguins showed up in 2011 that exhibit used to have African fur seals! They were a lot of fun from what I remember, didn't visit them too often when I was a kid but when I did I always had a great time.
I haven’t been in a while but I’m looking forward to see what they do for the penguin exhibit! Curious if any dynamic habitat initiatives are possible
African Fur Seals are so rare, I’m disappointed that I missed them over the decades
@Aelita, it is really hard to say what they are doing. The zoo's website didnt put up a contract for any renos so its probably nothing like expanding the exhibit. The crew working on it must be staff. Any large project is put up for bid. I am also surprised they didnt just leave the penguins on exhibit in the yard while the did indoor work and then when it is too cold bring them in and do the outdoor work. I dont think there is any reason to expand the pool anyway. What the penguins really need is a bigger barn but that would definitely be big news they couldnt hide from us.
The fur seals were amazing. I remember it always took my parents a long time to pull me away from their exhibit. They were an opening day species and over the years there were several pups born. Our last fur seal was Rosie who left I think sometime between 2008-2010 but dont quote me on that. They were phased out because we had nowhere to get new seals from and nowhere to send pups to, at least in North America. It was an unsustainable choice. They probably would have been smarter spending that money on a seal pool over by the polar bears because we could have chosen from many more species, being in Africa really restricted choices for the exhibit. It also didnt help that the filtration system frequently had issues. Might have been undersized for big fur seals. They did have some eye and skin issues due to it.
The fur seals were amazing. I remember it always took my parents a long time to pull me away from their exhibit. They were an opening day species and over the years there were several pups born. Our last fur seal was Rosie who left I think sometime between 2008-2010 but dont quote me on that. They were phased out because we had nowhere to get new seals from and nowhere to send pups to, at least in North America. It was an unsustainable choice. They probably would have been smarter spending that money on a seal pool over by the polar bears because we could have chosen from many more species, being in Africa really restricted choices for the exhibit. It also didnt help that the filtration system frequently had issues. Might have been undersized for big fur seals. They did have some eye and skin issues due to it.
The Toronto Zoo Holiday Marketplace will be returning Nov 19. They are currently seeking vendors. Last years sounds like it was a big success given the donations to charity. I can only imagine this years will be even better since covid is not running as rampant.
hyena142
Well-Known Member
Well here's the big one, the zoo is officially implementing a vaccine policy for all guests and members starting October 25. This is to protect both the guests as more people will be visiting the indoor locations in the winter, as well as the susceptible animals like the great apes and big cats. To get into the zoo you'll need to show your proof of vaccination along with your ID.
They have a FAQ page on the subject you can check out here
They have a FAQ page on the subject you can check out here
I love the fact the zoo is stepping up and protecting its staff and animals by implementing the vaccine policy. Guest and volunteers can choose to visit but staff, contractors and the animals have no choice on exposure. Taking a strong stance is the right move even if there is a portion of the population who will fight it tooth and nail. I like that an exception wont be made if you show a negative test because that's meaningless. It just means you werent sick when you took the test but doesnt mean your not 24 hours later. You have to read deep through the FAQ to find out kids under 12 and medical exemptions are made (with proof) which really should be stated early on to not scare off their core business, families.
Good on the zoo for taking such a strong stance!
Good on the zoo for taking such a strong stance!
