Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2022
- Thread starter cypher
- Start date
Emu make great display animals in a walk through exhibit.
We have them in walk through exhibits at Auckland and Wellington Zoo and you can get right up close to them (via a single rail barrier) without the fear of being disemboweled like you would from a Southern cassowary.
The zoo will continue to ask for proof of vaccination to enter the zoo to protect the animals.
Toronto Zoo to continue checking for proof of COVID vaccination - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Toronto Zoo to continue checking for proof of COVID vaccination - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
Red river hog Kevin was the one who broke his jaw late last year. His road to recovery hasnt been easy or quick. While they were able to repair things his wound opened back up and he developed an infection requiring a second hospital stay, more care and ultimately another surgery. He is recovering again with his brother Dennis by his side in the hospital. They hope to have the boys back home in the pavilion soon.
Visited today. Gorgeous day for the zoo!
An amazingly kind keeper brought me over to see the White-Cheeked Turaco chick and it’s doing really well! Just starting to get some red on its otherwise brown body. Really nice treat, and I can’t thank the keeper enough!
She also told me that the Ring-Tailed Lemurs are split into two groups, and that they have to rotate them during the winter until one of the groups goes to the Indo-Malaya outdoor exhibit in the summer. Unfortunately the possibility of a mixed species exhibit seems unlikely.
The Burrows & Caves section has only been closed due to COVID, and will re-open at a time the zoo and health officials deem it safe. I got on the topic because of the fruit bats, and we still have quite a large colony and they are a part of the zoos future!
Africa restrooms are incredible! I only saw the male side, but regardless it’s a huge improvement and I actually wanted to spend more time in there.
Americas pavilion was open today, but you had to enter and exit through the regular exit. They are changing a lot of the signage in the pavilion, today specially the boa exhibits, with the owls and porcupine already receiving better signage. The entire bug wing was closed, and it looks like they’re going to refurbish those exhibits and the signage as well. Exciting! It’s more of these small improvements that to a long, long way. Did not see the Blue-Throated Piping Guan in the aviary, nor did I see the butterfly fish in the Great Barrier Reef. The signage was removed for the latter which is a shame because it was probably my favorite fish species at the zoo.
Not sure if this was there before or not (I had never seen it) but the construction in the Australasia bird wing was largely for the Fly River Turtles! They’ve been given access to a small beach towards the back of the exhibit, and the rest of the birds have been given a shallow pool. Nice addition!
Finally, I can’t say enough about the progress of the outdoor Orang exhibit! Every time I’ve visited there’s been more and more work. Without a doubt in my mind it’ll be ready this spring!
An amazingly kind keeper brought me over to see the White-Cheeked Turaco chick and it’s doing really well! Just starting to get some red on its otherwise brown body. Really nice treat, and I can’t thank the keeper enough!
She also told me that the Ring-Tailed Lemurs are split into two groups, and that they have to rotate them during the winter until one of the groups goes to the Indo-Malaya outdoor exhibit in the summer. Unfortunately the possibility of a mixed species exhibit seems unlikely.
The Burrows & Caves section has only been closed due to COVID, and will re-open at a time the zoo and health officials deem it safe. I got on the topic because of the fruit bats, and we still have quite a large colony and they are a part of the zoos future!
Africa restrooms are incredible! I only saw the male side, but regardless it’s a huge improvement and I actually wanted to spend more time in there.
Americas pavilion was open today, but you had to enter and exit through the regular exit. They are changing a lot of the signage in the pavilion, today specially the boa exhibits, with the owls and porcupine already receiving better signage. The entire bug wing was closed, and it looks like they’re going to refurbish those exhibits and the signage as well. Exciting! It’s more of these small improvements that to a long, long way. Did not see the Blue-Throated Piping Guan in the aviary, nor did I see the butterfly fish in the Great Barrier Reef. The signage was removed for the latter which is a shame because it was probably my favorite fish species at the zoo.
Not sure if this was there before or not (I had never seen it) but the construction in the Australasia bird wing was largely for the Fly River Turtles! They’ve been given access to a small beach towards the back of the exhibit, and the rest of the birds have been given a shallow pool. Nice addition!
Finally, I can’t say enough about the progress of the outdoor Orang exhibit! Every time I’ve visited there’s been more and more work. Without a doubt in my mind it’ll be ready this spring!
hyena142
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the update! I almost went today but the high wind warning scared me off. Glad someone got to enjoy the otherwise nice weather lol
The lemurs have been split into two groups for a while now, something about infighting in the clans reaching a point where they simply can't be together anymore. That's why the exhibit is so dead, I have no doubt in my mind that when the zoo brought in the lemurs they were hoping for a big exhibit with a ton of lemurs but this situation has kinda forced them to pump the brakes on the species. Kinda unfortunate but I hope a solution will present itself someday.
Burrows and Caves lives! That's honestly a huge surprise, I figured if there was ever a time for it to die it'd be now with covid keeping it closed for 2+ years and the mole rats leaving. Makes sense it's staying closed until the pandemic is well and truly over, it's hard to ventilate in there and it's not like it was ever that popular. Most people just walk right past it in my experience.
So you had to enter Americas through the exit? Like where the beaver indoor viewing is? That's interesting, maybe they're doing some work on the aviary then.
The refurbs for the river turtle pond in Australasia could be due to us planning on adding spotted whistling ducks, I remember hearing we acquired a few of them not too long ago. Makes sense they wanna pretty up that spot before something new and cool shows up.
I'm guessing the orangs will be open for Canada Day but if they manage to pull off getting it ready and the orangs get acclimated to it even earlier that'd be just fine by me
The lemurs have been split into two groups for a while now, something about infighting in the clans reaching a point where they simply can't be together anymore. That's why the exhibit is so dead, I have no doubt in my mind that when the zoo brought in the lemurs they were hoping for a big exhibit with a ton of lemurs but this situation has kinda forced them to pump the brakes on the species. Kinda unfortunate but I hope a solution will present itself someday.
Burrows and Caves lives! That's honestly a huge surprise, I figured if there was ever a time for it to die it'd be now with covid keeping it closed for 2+ years and the mole rats leaving. Makes sense it's staying closed until the pandemic is well and truly over, it's hard to ventilate in there and it's not like it was ever that popular. Most people just walk right past it in my experience.
So you had to enter Americas through the exit? Like where the beaver indoor viewing is? That's interesting, maybe they're doing some work on the aviary then.
The refurbs for the river turtle pond in Australasia could be due to us planning on adding spotted whistling ducks, I remember hearing we acquired a few of them not too long ago. Makes sense they wanna pretty up that spot before something new and cool shows up.
I'm guessing the orangs will be open for Canada Day but if they manage to pull off getting it ready and the orangs get acclimated to it even earlier that'd be just fine by me
It’s a real shame about the lemurs. At least we know they’ll be getting a new space in the new master plan! That space will be put to good use.
I was so excited about burrows and caves! I think it’s actually a really great space to watch bats.
Yeah! You had to enter/exit Americas past the beaver viewing, so the first animal you see upon entering is either a rattlesnake or turtle. Funny enough the aviary was still open. It was just the bug wing/aviary/crocodilian area and the porcupine/jay/boa area that were being renovated.
You are exactly right! I’d forgotten about the ducks! That’s what it’s for. I didn’t even think the turtles went on land, but I could be mistaken. Either way, it was cool to see another area of the zoo upgraded!
I also went today in the afternoon/evening.
Today I did Indo-Malaya, Africa, and Eurasia as I was pressed for time. But still made time for the Zoo lol.
Indo-Malaya was nice as I got to see Indian Rhinos Kiran and Vishnu and hadn't seen them in a long time. I also got to see Kiran inside and he really is missing his mother as he was calling to her with the high-pitched noise they make, hard to describe and especially that noise coming from a large animal like Kiran I was shocked they could make such noises, but a volunteer had told me it was a common noise actually. Vishnu was doing laps around the main paddock and having a ball. Sumatran tigers, Harry and Kemala, were both sleeping in the dens/caves so nothing to out of the ordinary except for the crate I guess they might have been using for crate training. Budi and Sekali the orangutan pair are back together and they have such a great relationship, for "Solitary Animals" Budi is such a great male and the Volunteer had told me that last week Ramai and Budi were observed breeding so fingers crossed. Finally I got to see the babirusa and Gibbon pairing! Bucky the babirusa was eating treats out of a mask box and Holly was peacefully having a snack on her own. Holly definitely is slowing down as when she swung over it was not that fast and she really took her time, but what can we expect from a geriatric gibbon.
I did the savanna first then the rainforest and to no ones surprise no one was out. The only animals in the whole savanna that were out were the lions and hyenas. The lions were sleeping and the lone hyena was sleeping in his/her pool. So nice to see the hyena enjoyed the weather today. The rainforest I only did the gorilla section as a whole mob was flocking around the main exhibit. So I stayed at the front of the exhibit and Charlie (the youngest gorilla)was chasing Ngozi(the dominant female) around which was really hilarious.
Eurasia was so peaceful, no one around and just a peace and quiet. the red pandas were all inside due to weather, but the camels were outside. Zip the Bull was on his own, but oh boy(no pun intended) the females were really fond of him and grooming him through the fencing. The Sea eagles were quite relaxed and sitting together in the nest so I do wonder if they are on eggs or not. Finally got a glimpse of Pemba the new snow leopard! But a terrible one as he was fast asleep and only saw him walk around for a minute, the he leaped onto a platform and curled up into a ball of fur and didn't move after that. The, the amur Tigers, I got to chat with a volunteer and had a really nice conversation. Mila has become more independent and they think after the summer she will get shipped off. Mazy and Vasili have been showing interest but they have made the decision to say no to the breeding rec.
And that was basically my day at the Zoo nothing much but it was a nice walk and way to get outdoors.
Today I did Indo-Malaya, Africa, and Eurasia as I was pressed for time. But still made time for the Zoo lol.
Indo-Malaya was nice as I got to see Indian Rhinos Kiran and Vishnu and hadn't seen them in a long time. I also got to see Kiran inside and he really is missing his mother as he was calling to her with the high-pitched noise they make, hard to describe and especially that noise coming from a large animal like Kiran I was shocked they could make such noises, but a volunteer had told me it was a common noise actually. Vishnu was doing laps around the main paddock and having a ball. Sumatran tigers, Harry and Kemala, were both sleeping in the dens/caves so nothing to out of the ordinary except for the crate I guess they might have been using for crate training. Budi and Sekali the orangutan pair are back together and they have such a great relationship, for "Solitary Animals" Budi is such a great male and the Volunteer had told me that last week Ramai and Budi were observed breeding so fingers crossed. Finally I got to see the babirusa and Gibbon pairing! Bucky the babirusa was eating treats out of a mask box and Holly was peacefully having a snack on her own. Holly definitely is slowing down as when she swung over it was not that fast and she really took her time, but what can we expect from a geriatric gibbon.
I did the savanna first then the rainforest and to no ones surprise no one was out. The only animals in the whole savanna that were out were the lions and hyenas. The lions were sleeping and the lone hyena was sleeping in his/her pool. So nice to see the hyena enjoyed the weather today. The rainforest I only did the gorilla section as a whole mob was flocking around the main exhibit. So I stayed at the front of the exhibit and Charlie (the youngest gorilla)was chasing Ngozi(the dominant female) around which was really hilarious.
Eurasia was so peaceful, no one around and just a peace and quiet. the red pandas were all inside due to weather, but the camels were outside. Zip the Bull was on his own, but oh boy(no pun intended) the females were really fond of him and grooming him through the fencing. The Sea eagles were quite relaxed and sitting together in the nest so I do wonder if they are on eggs or not. Finally got a glimpse of Pemba the new snow leopard! But a terrible one as he was fast asleep and only saw him walk around for a minute, the he leaped onto a platform and curled up into a ball of fur and didn't move after that. The, the amur Tigers, I got to chat with a volunteer and had a really nice conversation. Mila has become more independent and they think after the summer she will get shipped off. Mazy and Vasili have been showing interest but they have made the decision to say no to the breeding rec.
And that was basically my day at the Zoo nothing much but it was a nice walk and way to get outdoors.
Last edited:
That zoo posted up and RFP for CONSULTING SERVICES - POLAR BEAR LSS & GUEST CIRCULATION UPGRADES. Looks like this will bring some minor construction to the Polar Bear area. Estimated completion date requested for this project is December 2022.
https://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp... Guest Circulation Upgrades.FINAL COMB....pdf
https://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp... Guest Circulation Upgrades.FINAL COMB....pdf
Jefferson
Well-Known Member
@cypher Nice find.. Looks like a new life support systems building is being constructed with upgrades to the filtration system. It seems the plan is to highlight this and re do the pathing around the area, which per the RFP there is a bit more than meets the eye.
For those of you that don't want to go through the RFP, here are some highlights!
They are aiming for a completion date of Dec 2022.
This is the Preliminary Conceptual Plan
From the photo above I think the "Existing Polar Bear Exhibit" is referring to the small maternity yard, which is think they want to highlight with an additional viewing area along the side.
The new plaza, while highlighting the greenhouse, which I think deserves more attention, would lead in very nicely to the proposed restaurant and saving species sanctuary fo the master plan.
For those of you that don't want to go through the RFP, here are some highlights!
They are aiming for a completion date of Dec 2022.
This is the Preliminary Conceptual Plan
From the photo above I think the "Existing Polar Bear Exhibit" is referring to the small maternity yard, which is think they want to highlight with an additional viewing area along the side.
The new plaza, while highlighting the greenhouse, which I think deserves more attention, would lead in very nicely to the proposed restaurant and saving species sanctuary fo the master plan.
Attachments
ProjectGames
Well-Known Member
A new zipline is heading for the zoo. Its probably not a zipline for kids to play, though. It will probably be a zipline in the Sumatran Tiger exhibit, where the zipline can be used for hanging meat for tigers to chase. Certainly a huge upcoming development for the tiger exhibit!
The zoo had an oopsie moment today when a mechanical gate malfunctioned and the eland boys went free. They were outside of their habitat for about 15 minutes before keepers convinced them to come back in.
Some Toronto Zoo Animals Escaped Their Habitat For A Few Minutes & Here's What Happened
Some Toronto Zoo Animals Escaped Their Habitat For A Few Minutes & Here's What Happened
The keeper for a day experience is back... only its currently a half day and any covid sensitive animals are excluded from the program.
Toronto Zoo | Keeper for a Day
Toronto Zoo | Keeper for a Day
hyena142
Well-Known Member
Quick update from the zoo, the indoor aviaries are currently closed to the public due to a confirmed case of avian influenza in southern Ontario. Guests will be rerouted through the pavilions to maintain flow or the aviaries will be significantly altered to keep the birds safe for the time being.
