Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
I want to see how the enclosure changed
It is great that the moose are visible again, they were of exhibit for months, rhino baby
Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2023
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Granted, in USD that would "only" be $46.8 million... but still way more money than I'd consider worth it to build a new entrance, even though based on my recent visit Toronto is a zoo I'd consider a new entrance a worthwhile priority for.
It's a bit unfair to state the cost ballooned by 255%. That suggests the project was already underway and there were cost overruns (which could still happen). Then it might be fair to suggest mismanagement etc.
The new pricing/cost came at the end of the design phase, following a redesign of what the priorities were. Obviously there are going to be cost implications if you've completely changed the scope of the project.
It's not like the zoo isn't "getting something" for the increased cost. It's a completely different project than first envisaged.
I'm also not surprised that Coun. Jamaal Myers (who represents the area) is supportive, while on the other side of the city, the councillor for Etobicoke isn't. I did think it was odd that Coun. Jamaal Myers was asking so many questions at the Board meeting earlier this week. I'd never seen him on one of the meetings before, let alone had him (or anyone - it's a very quiet board, maybe they ask their questions in advance to avoid the public scrutiny), interrupt to ask questions. Maybe he saw this coming.
The new pricing/cost came at the end of the design phase, following a redesign of what the priorities were. Obviously there are going to be cost implications if you've completely changed the scope of the project.
It's not like the zoo isn't "getting something" for the increased cost. It's a completely different project than first envisaged.
I'm also not surprised that Coun. Jamaal Myers (who represents the area) is supportive, while on the other side of the city, the councillor for Etobicoke isn't. I did think it was odd that Coun. Jamaal Myers was asking so many questions at the Board meeting earlier this week. I'd never seen him on one of the meetings before, let alone had him (or anyone - it's a very quiet board, maybe they ask their questions in advance to avoid the public scrutiny), interrupt to ask questions. Maybe he saw this coming.
Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
I think it is worth it to make this new entrance, it will make people think that it is a beautiful zoo. the old entrance is from almost 50 years ago.
Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
Will the third Amur tiger habitat continue to be built? Now that Vasili is leaving the zoo soon, Mazy is alone. If Mazy dies, what pair of tiger will come to the zoo, any clue you think that they will come to Toronto zoo
It's entirely possible the zoo will just wait Mazy out even with three exhibits. She's 16. If the new European female arrives shortly in Calgary and the new female from Seoul arrives in Granby (plus they have Simsa who is unrelated) we could in 2-3 years end up with cubs from each we then can breed. Granted those cubs will still be descendants of Tonghua but thats hard not to do given how many descendants he has in Canada. Granby's Jack is his son while Vasili is his great grandson. Way better than some of the other pairings we are using now or have used before.
Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
That's great using other country's genetic to breed with the genetics from the zoo. Do u know when the Seoul and the European female will come
Not a clue. Granby could take the female from Seoul in whenever. They have space for four adults. Calgary might be a little longer since they need to send off Samkha and Samra as well as get and quarantine both Vasili and the European female. I feel like since Toronto announced Vasili's move he will go sooner rather than later. But Calgary can also hold at least 3 adults as well so that doesnt mean the female is due in soon. Given we are in mid November and temps for plane travel are gonna be frosty I think both females wont arrive til spring at the earliest. Vasili would have a much shorter flight so he still might be able to go given the right conditions.
Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
Where are they gonna send Samkha and Samra?. Thank you for the information
@Rev705, welcome to the group! What a way to kick it off with great info like that. Well not great in that Vasili is gone but great in that you got a good scoop. And while there might be a lot of sad faces amongst the Toronto keepers there will be a ton of happy faces in Calgary. For Calgary keepers their baby boy is coming home.
@Zoo adventures, I dont know where the duo is going. All I know is it is out of the SSP so they arent coming here. They could be going somewhere else in Canada or the US but they also might be going overseas to secure one or both of the incoming females. My guess if they are going overseas would be Europe because Seoul's Amurs are considered part of the SSP. But in all honesty I don't have a clue.
@Zoo adventures, I dont know where the duo is going. All I know is it is out of the SSP so they arent coming here. They could be going somewhere else in Canada or the US but they also might be going overseas to secure one or both of the incoming females. My guess if they are going overseas would be Europe because Seoul's Amurs are considered part of the SSP. But in all honesty I don't have a clue.
Thank you so much! I was glad I got to see him twice this week before he left. Heard some comments on Tuesday about him possibly leaving this weekend so had to go again to make sure I could say bye! I’m happy that he’s at least going back home and can hopefully help make some babies
Zoo adventures
Well-Known Member
Yeah Vasili is a good SSP tiger. He has good genetics. Maybe Calgary is a great home for him to breed.
Vasili wasn't a decent option until recently. He was one of the lowest ranking tigers in the SSP. However with the deaths of daughter Mila, uncle Vitali, distant cousins Yuri, Thumper, Helina, his brother Samkha and distant cousin Samra leaving the SSP and sister Kira not being able to breed for medical reasons has moved him up from way overrepresented to middle ground. There has been a thinning out of Tonghua's bloodlines which is a good thing because it was way too overrepresented. Even as overrepresented as Vasili was at the time of Mila's birth she was still very valuable because of Mazy. His next litter will be even better with no siblings (Mila already had 3 half siblings from Mazy) and less representation form their great great granddad Tonghua's side.