Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2023
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Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Awesome. Thanks for the info. Visiting at least once this summer so I’m glad I can get a look at them.
@Van Beal, dont count on it. You are looking from some distance. No way to get super close. If you have a camera with a really good zoom you would stand a better shot. And you have to remember to look. I often forget because the ibis and spoonbills are right in front of me or I'm staring down at turtle, Dotty. I'm like a five year old. I only see whats right in front of me.
Looks like Ted the Turkey Vulture has settled into one of the aviaries in the Canadian Domain and is now on display.
Van Beal
Well-Known Member
Are the cougars completely phased out or do they have a new exhibit?
Bailey (the cougar) died in April 2022 - hence the "phase out". It's temporary as the cougar is in the 2022 Master Plan for Wilderness North - see link below on page 51:
https://www.torontozoo.com/!/pdfs/temp/TZ_MasterplanBooklet.pdf
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Van Beal
Well-Known Member
I’ve seen the Master Plan, just wasn’t sure what happened to the cougar. Thanks for the info though!
I don't think we will know for sure what the future of cougars, moose (both in the master plan) and grizzlies (not in the plan) will hold. Remember the master plan is a rough idea of what will come and we are still a long time away from the Canadian Wilderness kicking off. The zoos next massive project will be the north side of the entrance which I think is to start sometime later this year. It will probably take 2-3 years. Plenty can change in that time. The AZA just did their accreditation inspection so something they noted might rise on the list. Regulations could change too again making a priority change. Or if we look at wild scenarios that could again force their hand. One just needs to look at the Australasia aviary. The zoo had no intention of doing any major work on it. Thanks to significant damage from a winter storm and avian flu and it gets funding for pretty big changes that no one saw coming a year ago.
I do hope we get cougars and lynx back though. I also dont want to loose moose or grizzlies. I think there is the space in the area available to do Canadian species the justice they deserve and I would be absolutely thrilled if they took the land they want to use for exotics rescues and just give it to more Canadian species. I dont need random rescued exotics. I think the Canadian section of a Canadian zoo should be impressive and not skimp like we are used to in the Domain.
I do hope we get cougars and lynx back though. I also dont want to loose moose or grizzlies. I think there is the space in the area available to do Canadian species the justice they deserve and I would be absolutely thrilled if they took the land they want to use for exotics rescues and just give it to more Canadian species. I dont need random rescued exotics. I think the Canadian section of a Canadian zoo should be impressive and not skimp like we are used to in the Domain.
AJ the TZ Guy
Well-Known Member
Jeez, I've had a lot to catch up on due to my absence... <:3 So just to be clear, is the new outdoor orangutan area finally finished and open, or close to it? Also, how goes construction of the new Core Forest path, are the aviaries back in business yet, and most important to me, are the naked mole rats still at the African Rainforest Pavilion? Sorry for so many questions, I just want to make sure I'm caught up, and even that's not all the questions on my mind.
Also caught the mention of Ted being in the Domain, that sucks for me since I don't go down there anymore. :c
Also caught the mention of Ted being in the Domain, that sucks for me since I don't go down there anymore. :c
@AJ the TZ Guy, yes the orang exhibit is officially open but the orangs haven't gotten used to it just yet so odds of seeing one of them outside right now is pretty low. Its gonna take time to get the 7 of them comfortable being outside. 6 of the 7 have never been outside of Indo their whole lives other than unconscious for a trip to the health center when necessary and for Puppe its been 49 years. They will get there though.
The core woods boardwalk is open and has been for awhile now.
All of the walkthrough aviaries have been modified for avian flu safety. I'm pretty sure they are all open now except Australasia which is physically open but is still without the birds while they finish up some work.
I think the mole rats are still in place in the chameleon nursery. No one has mentioned them moving.
The core woods boardwalk is open and has been for awhile now.
All of the walkthrough aviaries have been modified for avian flu safety. I'm pretty sure they are all open now except Australasia which is physically open but is still without the birds while they finish up some work.
I think the mole rats are still in place in the chameleon nursery. No one has mentioned them moving.
Dolf announced today on his Instagram account that orang Puppe has been outside for the first time. Sadly he just shared a bunch of videos of her playing in the in the indoor research area and not the outdoor yard. I await the first videos or photos of the queen enjoying sunshine. Thrilled though to hear the old girl has been outside for the first time in 49 long years.
I know Diego the capybara is the only one in the big Mayan temple/waterfall exhibit. Are there any plans to house any other species or acquire more capybaras once he's passed? If there are no plans once he's passed, hat area will just have the flamingos and Luca which is quite sad.
There are no plans that I know of currently to replace the capybara but there probably isnt much point in considering it until he passed. The plans once they get to Temple for redevelopment capys arent part of the plan as they have shown thus far. Hopefully they change their minds, I like capys. But I think the real answer will depend on when he dies. The longer he lasts the closer we get to redevelopment. And while he is 10 he could live to be 20 so its not like he is definitely in his final years like jaguar Luca. He could be around a whole lot longer. Getting more capys does mean having to relocate animals when construction does come whether thats within the zoo or to another zoo. Its something they would have to consider carefully the closer they get to the redevelopment.
Luca on the other hand, he could go at any time which could leave the temple down to flamingos and a capybara. Problem with that is the zoo needs to expand the jag exhibit to meet regulations and right now where they were planning the temporary expansion is the spider monkey exhibit which until avian flu dies down is the flamingos home. It creates a bit of a problem because the replacement jag we do get will need to be relocated during construction. The zoo has been hoping to let Luca pass and then do the work before the next jag arrives. Less headaches that way but if the flamingos need the space? Point is the Temple has become a boring place with little in it like the Domain and Tundra Trek. At least though we now the problem with the Domain and Temple is they are purposely emptying them in preparation for big changes. Tundra Trek has been a problem since it opened with too few animals to begin with.
Luca on the other hand, he could go at any time which could leave the temple down to flamingos and a capybara. Problem with that is the zoo needs to expand the jag exhibit to meet regulations and right now where they were planning the temporary expansion is the spider monkey exhibit which until avian flu dies down is the flamingos home. It creates a bit of a problem because the replacement jag we do get will need to be relocated during construction. The zoo has been hoping to let Luca pass and then do the work before the next jag arrives. Less headaches that way but if the flamingos need the space? Point is the Temple has become a boring place with little in it like the Domain and Tundra Trek. At least though we now the problem with the Domain and Temple is they are purposely emptying them in preparation for big changes. Tundra Trek has been a problem since it opened with too few animals to begin with.
AJ the TZ Guy
Well-Known Member
@TZFan
>yes the orang exhibit is officially open but the orangs haven't gotten used to it just yet so odds of seeing one of them outside right now is pretty low.
Great to hear it's open, and great to hear about Puppe going outside! I hope they're all a bit more used to it when it's time for my visit.
>The core woods boardwalk is open and has been for awhile now.
Good, I can take my usual path and not spend a ton of time finding another way around. XD I'm surprised they finished it so quick!
>All of the walkthrough aviaries have been modified for avian flu safety. I'm pretty sure they are all open now except Australasia which is physically open but is still without the birds while they finish up some work.
I did catch a mention of the Australasia aviary being remodelled a little--either way, glad they're mostly back!
>I think the mole rats are still in place in the chameleon nursery. No one has mentioned them moving.
Yay! ♥
>yes the orang exhibit is officially open but the orangs haven't gotten used to it just yet so odds of seeing one of them outside right now is pretty low.
Great to hear it's open, and great to hear about Puppe going outside! I hope they're all a bit more used to it when it's time for my visit.
>The core woods boardwalk is open and has been for awhile now.
Good, I can take my usual path and not spend a ton of time finding another way around. XD I'm surprised they finished it so quick!
>All of the walkthrough aviaries have been modified for avian flu safety. I'm pretty sure they are all open now except Australasia which is physically open but is still without the birds while they finish up some work.
I did catch a mention of the Australasia aviary being remodelled a little--either way, glad they're mostly back!
>I think the mole rats are still in place in the chameleon nursery. No one has mentioned them moving.
Yay! ♥
Jefferson
Well-Known Member
Couple of interesting finds on the Zoo Website in the Business Opportunities Section.
1. The Red Panda Habitat Project:
Highlight include an entirely new Holding building with two indoor holding sections that will have a covered viewing area for guests. The idea being that the Pandas are viewable even when in their back of house holding, thus allowing guest to see the pandas when the weather is not up to their standards.
The Holding 1 is the maternity side with an extra outdoor area that is out of view and then Side two would be for the male. The indoor areas are ~100sq and 12 feet high and they are air conditioned.
They are also exploring changing the barrier on side 1 to match the second enclosure.
Per documents the plan for construction to Start Jan 2024 and Finish by Sept 2024.
2. African Savanna Indoor holding. This is the big one. One of the first big projects from the new Master Plan. There are no pictures so check out the Master Plan for those ideas. But here a few highlights from the document. I have just posted screenshots as I did not feel like typing it all out.
Highlights include:
A large indoor viewing area, a connection to the penguins, and a redo of the first aid centre as well as washrooms and classrooms/event spaces. Additionally outdoor viewing area on top of the building over looking the savanna exhibits from the other side is very cool.
The time line posted is the design process over the next year and a half with construction from Jan 2025 to with completion in Jan 2027.
Very exciting to see them already starting on this now while looking forward to the new entrance as well. Lots of big and exciting things coming up for the Zoo!
1. The Red Panda Habitat Project:
Highlight include an entirely new Holding building with two indoor holding sections that will have a covered viewing area for guests. The idea being that the Pandas are viewable even when in their back of house holding, thus allowing guest to see the pandas when the weather is not up to their standards.
The Holding 1 is the maternity side with an extra outdoor area that is out of view and then Side two would be for the male. The indoor areas are ~100sq and 12 feet high and they are air conditioned.
They are also exploring changing the barrier on side 1 to match the second enclosure.
Per documents the plan for construction to Start Jan 2024 and Finish by Sept 2024.
2. African Savanna Indoor holding. This is the big one. One of the first big projects from the new Master Plan. There are no pictures so check out the Master Plan for those ideas. But here a few highlights from the document. I have just posted screenshots as I did not feel like typing it all out.
Highlights include:
A large indoor viewing area, a connection to the penguins, and a redo of the first aid centre as well as washrooms and classrooms/event spaces. Additionally outdoor viewing area on top of the building over looking the savanna exhibits from the other side is very cool.
The time line posted is the design process over the next year and a half with construction from Jan 2025 to with completion in Jan 2027.
Very exciting to see them already starting on this now while looking forward to the new entrance as well. Lots of big and exciting things coming up for the Zoo!
