Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2022

[TZFan]

For those interested on the steps the zoo and other zoos are taking to protect their birds from avian flu this article is worth a read. Helps to explain why they have taken such aggressive steps so quickly.

Zoos hiding birds as avian flu spreads in North America

 

[GorillaFan15]

The next board meeting is up

Decision Body Profile

 

[cypher]

Notes on the upcoming Board meeting agenda.

Really nice seeing the progress and development made with the Wildlife Conservancy. Hopefully we continue to see an improving trend on fund raising and donations.

Vaccine mandate will be sticking around until May 30 at the very least. Personally, don’t have a problem with that.

I’ve never been to the Splash Island washrooms, but they look like they’re in for a huge upgrade, which is good to see.

There are some blueprints of the Conservation campus for anyone interested at combing through that kind of thing. There are detailed diagrams of the Otter exhibit and holding. Looks like it’ll be designed to house 2 Otters, with a maternity ward.

 

[TZFan]

The zoo wants to keep the mask and vaccine mandate until May 30, as @cypher noted, to protect their vulnerable animals. They are hoping by then all the high risk species will be fully vaccinated. At that point they will revisit the issue.

Toronto Zoo not ready to drop mandatory vax policy for visitors, staff | Toronto Sun

 

[cypher]

Can't blame the zoo for the decision. People will be upset, but animal safety is their top priority.

 

[TZFan]

Oh people have been upset since March. It wont make them any more upset. Those upset people also arent people who visit the zoo, just the loud mouths who pretend they visit for the most part. The zoos position is reasonable. Cases are on the rise and they have just started vaccinating their most vulnerable animals. Better safe then sorry and loose an endangered animal.

 

[Zooer]

Was anyone able to attend the board meeting today? Anything interesting come up?

 

[cypher]

My thoughts exactly @TZFan

@Zooer, completely missed it unfortunately. If anyone tuned in, was there anything of interest that was discussed?

Also, the zoo is finally looking to start the Boardwalk Redevelopment and Sumatran Tiger Habitat Expansion. See the below RFP for the project. Note that this is not the same exhibit expansion seen in the Master Plan. This is for reworking the current Sumatran Tiger exhibits. The RFP even mentions "Design the new habitat for future species adaptability", which leads me to believe that the zoo wants the exhibits to be able to house other species, for when the Tigers ultimately get their exhibit space in accordance with the Master Plan.

https://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp...Boardwalk & Sumatran Tiger.FINAL COMBINED.pdf

 

[Kalvin]

The newest episode of the podcast talks about polar bear Juno and some stereotypic behaviour she's been exhibiting recently. The animal welfare team has brought on a student from the Netherlands to monitor Juno's behaviour and analyze fecal samples in order to determine what is causing this behaviour (stress, boredom, if it might be time-based) and what they can do to mitigate it.

 

[TZFan]

The zoo has posted a video on Facebook, explaining their covid vaccination program for the animals. In total 120 of the animals will be given 2 doses about 2-3 weeks apart. It's always amazing to me to watch how the keepers have worked so hard with the animals to receive their shots voluntarily and how most of them dont even flinch when they get it. Kudos to the keepers and vet team on their stellar work.

 

[TZFan]

Here is an article on the zoo's biogas plant. Love the title.

The story of a man with a plan... for a zoo, and its poo - Electrical Business

 

[GorillaFan15]

More orangutan progress from Dolf’s IG

 

[hyena142]

Roofing is going up at the orang exhibit

Any shot we hear their timeframe for the opening soon? Obviously nothing would be concrete because they need to get the orangs used to it before we open it for guests but it'd be nice to hear if they have a month in mind.

 

[TZFan]

I doubt we would get an opening date until the exhibit is nearly done or even totally done and they begin letting the orangs out and have an idea their comfort level with being outside. I think at this point its safe to stay Victoria Day is out of the question. While things really seem to be moving along far faster then ever before there is just so much to do. Even if they could bust their butts and get it done in the next 3 weeks, the orangs would still need time to be introduced to the exhibit and test it out to make sure our clever devils cant get out. I would assume they would give them a week or two to adjust to such a massive change before bringing in guests. The zoo will probably shoot for Canada Day. That feels every achievable. Gives them 2 months to get it done and get at least one orang ready to be on display.

 

[ProjectGames]

The zoo already announced that if Puppe lasts to when the exhibit is done, she'll be the first one to explore the outside habitat. Anyways lets hope for the best of her and hope that the exhibit goes ready just before summer starts.

 

[TZFan]

@ProjectGames, just because Puppe is the one they want to test first doesnt mean she will be the one who is brave enough to venture out. They have all spent a lifetime inside so they may need time to build the courage to go out. Then again they could all go out no problem. It's impossible to say. I would think the boys might be most willing to go explore. The most hesitant might be Sekali because she has that newborn to protect. Only time will tell who is first outside and who is most comfortable.

 

[Akula]

I think that kembali being the young male he is with no females and no exhibit mates he would be a great option to go out first, plus he a really wild orangutan with lots of personality, I mean just look at his hair when he was younger, always looked like he was electrocuted lol. But then, my second choice would be Puppe, third Jingaa and Ramai as a duo, then Budi and finally Sekali and baby. I put Budi last as I wouldn't wan to risk anything with him especially since he is our breeding male for the next decade at least. But as TZFan stated only a matter of time.

 

[TZFan]

@Akula, I dont think there is anything to risk with any of them going out, except maybe the baby. Might they be clever enough to find a way to escape? Sure but they will be under total supervision until they get used to the exhibit and keepers feel they havent outwitted the design team.

I would guess the boys would be top candidates because they are young males who naturally would be more willing to explore new ground in hopes of a mate. They are probably more willing to take risks for that big reward. Jingga and Ramai would have the comfort of each other so that might put them in a more relaxed position. They could toss Budi out there with them too potentially. Puppe is an old girl and might not take to change well but she's the only one who knows what outside is. Sekali might be last because of the baby but maybe they would want her to go first so she has as much time as possible to get comfy before guests arrive, plus they could put Budi out with her to provide comfort and a sense of security for the new mom if he's introduced any time soon to his son.

 

[animalman0341]

I apologize for the quality of some of the photos, as the only opportunity to see the progress of the outdoor orang exhibit is via the zoomobile - in these days of the avian flu.

It is really starting to take shape, and you can see in one of the photos the accessible ramp up to the overhead viewing structure is being worked on. When you’re up against it, the scale of the exhibit is unexpectedly large. What a wonderful home it will make for our group in the not too distant future!

 

[hyena142]

Still a little concretey for my tastes but hopefully they'll have that cleaned up with some nice murals by the end (or they'll keep it that way because concrete is the TZ's aesthetic unfortunately). Keeping my fingers crossed that Canada Day is the magic date!