Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2022

I do wish they added some foilage around the water feature, like some tall grass plants. Although it's a great addition to the exhibit it looks barren around it.
 
The new water feature looks good. I wouldn't worry about foliage @Flixox101. Looks like they need to replant the grass and add things still. Seemed like they were just testing it out with the hyenas to see how they use it. Might change where they choose to put things if they see they are using spots the designers weren't anticipating as much. Plenty of time to dress it up more.
 
Lots of new updates on projects at the TZ courtesy of Dolf's insta

Orang construction
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Updated signage at the Sumatran tigers
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Repaved roads in the Savanna
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New retaining wall at the watusi I think? Can't tell where this one is
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Penguin underwater viewing
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Recharge station bench
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Hyena water feature
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The retaining wall is at the ostrich viewing near the baboon enclosure.

The zoo is also trying to raise $15,000 for cooling pads in the snow leopard habitat, so that Pemba can be a little more comfortable in the summer heat. And as far as I can tell, the only place to give is in the gift shop when making a purchase.
 
Most of the zoo's aviaries have reopened. The main Americas aviary remains empty, presumably while they move the birds back from Australasia, and the everglades remain closed. Upstairs orangutan viewing is open, as well as tree kangaroos. Penguins and Flamingos remain off display
 
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Thank god, Indo was an absolute disaster when the aviary was closed thanks everyone hoping to see the baby orang forming huge crowds with only one entrance and exit. That'll make it a lot more tolerable.
 
The penguins will be inside for awhile since they are doing all that work on the pool. Avian flu was just convenient timing for that. They were gonna be trapped inside anyway.

The flamingos might be a little longer because they often share the exhibit with geese and ducks which would put them at a higher risk then anything inside. They will probably delay the flamingos, the savanna birds and peacocks for a little longer just because they will more easily come in contact with wild birds.
 
The Sunbitterns have returned to the Americas aviary, while most of the other birds have yet to depart from Australasia. Only snow geese, flamingos, penguins, and the rainforest aviary remain off exhibit.

The kids zoo has once again shuffled its bird lineup. The Seriema has moved from the kids zoo entrance to the enclosure in the playground which last year held Eurasian Eagle Owl, Sheldon. In her place in the old Secretary Bird space is Red-tailed Hawk, Shriek. Henry the Abyssinian Ground Hornbill has also returned to his old enclosure, which was taken up last year by Raven Bran.

A new Veiled Chameleon named George is now acclimating to his exhibit in the rainforest pavilion. He is very small and hard to spot. I believe this is also the first Veiled Chameleon at the zoo since 2019. Since the last one moved? Died? we have only had Meller's Chameleons.

New signage indicates that Splashback Poison Dart Frogs can be found in the interactive frog habitat in the Americas, though I have yet to see one. This species was listed on the zoo's inventory in the 2020 animal plan but to my knowledge it has not been on exhibit until now.
 
The zoo put out and RFP for consultation services for the construction of a new Wildebeest Holding House.

They're looking to build a completely new housing structure for the Wildebeest, that will have indoor viewing for the winter months. The current plan to to place the house on the northern point of the exhibit. See the below link for more information. Schematics are on the last couple pages.


https://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp...G SERVICES - Wildebeest Building.COMBINED.pdf
 
Hmm super interesting, the design is quite interesting, looks like you can see into the holding from outside on the north, but then walk up a board walk and go inside and look down on the holding from inside? From reading further into the document:

"It will be a single storey structure with a potential A.O.D.A compliant balcony or catwalk viewing platform as budget permits."

No date on exception construction completion from the tender.

Three stalls, so no plans to change herd size or introduce any additional species I guess? Where do the ostrich stay during the winter? I am curious what the plan is with the old wildebeest house.
 
Oh nice to see a new barn being built to replace the vastly undersized one we currently have. It looks to be quite a bit bigger. Clearly an opening move in working on the wildebeest/gazelle paddock from the master plan.

3 stalls does seem like a low number but there is the herd stall which is most of the barn. They dont really need to be separated at night. As long as everyone is cool they can stay together. The stalls could be used then to separate if someone is sick, or a mother and newborn, or social issues arise. I do think it looks too small for a larger group of animals though but what do I know what the requirements are.

The ostriches are moved to the rhino house for the winter. It was built with plenty of stalls to house all of the savanna birds for the summer. Initially the ostriches didn't move but thats because they shared the space with just the breeding male zebra, or spare warthogs. The arrival of the wildebeests changed who stayed for the winter. When the new barn is built the zoo could continue to use the barn for the ostriches unless the plan is actually to mix the two species. If the ostriches were to be housed elsewhere then it does offer an opportunity to bring in the gazelle they are thinking of sooner.
 
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