Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2024

[Jefferson]

Perused the Bids and Tenders section of the website tonight. The Zoo is looking for bidders for:

"CONSTRUCTION OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) THEATER FROM SHIPPING CONTAINER AT TUNDRA SITE"

I suspect this will be similar in design to the new Ontario Bat info exhibit at the Tundra Cafe right now.

Smaller tenders for asphalt repairs and new misting fans. Otherwise nothing too exciting.

 

[Zoo adventures]

Update on the entrance construction and the plaza and the Indo-Malaya boardwalk: The entrance is going to open in 2026
Hard Hat Update - Toronto Zoo Construction | Your Toronto Zoo is turning 50 this year and there are exciting changes happening here! During your visit you may have noticed significant fencing and... | By The Toronto ZooFacebook

 

[Jefferson]

Latest updates from the Bids and tenders section:

POLAR BEAR LSS AND REDIRECTION OF TUNDRA TRAIL PROJECT
Looks like they are going ahead with some construction near the Polar Bear LSS building. I think from a guest perspective it may just be some movement of some paths. There was something up on this last year, but I didn't manage to grab any photos.

PARKING LOT 2 (AREA 4) ACCESSIBLE PATHWAY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Looks like more accessibility is coming which is great too see. Given how full the lots have been lately this is great to see. I imagine this means some switchbacks on the path from Lot two down to the main lot, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[Van Beal]

Hopefully most of the future losses come from inside the pavilions- both the Indo-Malaya and African Rainforest pavilions are complete disasters to navigate

Personally never found Indo-Malaya to be hard to navigate. Besides the little staircase that leads to the upper orangutan viewing deck (I've used it twice but that's my family being unwilling), it's one straight shot. The African Rainforest, on the other hand, has a tangle of habitats with the pygmy hippos, the aviaries, and the lemurs all in the 'central' region. Plus the tanks up until the Malawi cichlids can be a bit of a pain to see all of.

 

[Dimples]

Problem Solved

1 - Python to Softshell Turtle
2 - Up to Red Hogs - through window
3 - Down wooden stairs to spoonbills ( Egypt Goose )
4 - Up to Aba Aba - now Naked Mole Rats
5 - Down to Meerkats / Porcupine
6 - Up past fish tanks to circle Gorilla area.

You've seen everything now.

Problem Solved

 

[Dimples]

@Blitz Sorry emu in the Canadian Domain? Was that a auto correct error? Not trying to shame I'd love to have emus back.
Also disappointed to here about Preswalski's Horse.
Wonder with Dolph the CEO becoming the Vice President of IUCN Canada were going to switch from Amur and Sumatran to Mainland and Island, ugh don't understand how morphological data can overrule DNA evidence.

I think they have Emu in the "free", non-AZA, High Park Zoo - which is also City of Toronto or government owned.

Not sure if it's the same animals as the Toronto Zoo in High Park, could have moved them.

Btw - High Park in Toronto has a small zoo. I'm curious to see it, maybe next month.

 

[Riverdale Zoo]

I think they have Emu in the "free", non-AZA, High Park Zoo - which is also City of Toronto...

Btw - High Park in Toronto has a small zoo. I'm curious to see it, maybe next month.

That's as old as Riverdale Zoo and was supported by the same. Also the Toronto Island Farm/Zoo, both were historically staffed by local 43 and 79

 

[antilio capra]

Do they still have Aba Aba at all?

 

[Kalvin]

A Galah named Rosie has arrived in the Australasia aviary. Additionally, signs for Eastern Rosella have gone up.

 

[Van Beal]

A Galah named Rosie has arrived in the Australasia aviary. Additionally, signs for Eastern Rosella have gone up.

guess I'll need to persuade my family to make a trip soon then. Any word on where the tamanduas are on display, if they are?

 

[Zoo adventures]

guess I'll need to persuade my family to make a trip soon then. Any word on where the tamanduas are on display, if they are?

I remember reading in the forum that the tamanduas, sometimes bring them out. They might live in a Kids' zoo.

 

[Jefferson]

I was at kids zoo last week and no sign of them, there isn't an enclosure that is signed for them either. So my guess is they are backstage.

The armadillos are on display, although it is through a window in the building, so not the best chance to actually see them.

Kids zoo definitely needs a little love and a few more critters to make it an interesting part of the zoo.

 

[Van Beal]

The armadillos are on display, although it is through a window in the building, so not the best chance to actually see them.

I got a couple pictures of one of the armadillos (I'd have to look back at the images to confirm which one) back in March. Will probably end up back at the zoo sometime between now and September, so hopefully I can get more.

 

[Kalvin]

(one of?) the Eastern Rosella has been named Rosé. A little confusing since the Galah has been named Rosie. I'm not sure whether there is just a single bird or multiple.

 

[Kalvin]

Who's even worried about the collection size? At least 4 Zebra Finches also call the Australasia aviary home now. And to update my last post, it seems like there is just a single Eastern Rosella. Mesh was also installed at the Cockatoo enclosure just this morning.

Hotwire has been installed at the third Amur Tiger yard. Work looks to be finishing up. I'm told the Sumatrans are also using the big yard now. Over in Indo, the fence poles have been placed tentatively in the habitat. From what I can tell, it looks like the habitat is slightly smaller than it used to be.

Orangutans have been given access to the chute which leads to the front of the pavilion. Sekali, with Wali in tow, explored the first two feet of it, grabbing a branch with leaves and taking it back to a safer spot (progress is progress!).

 

[Van Beal]

Who's even worried about the collection size? At least 4 Zebra Finches also call the Australasia aviary home now. And to update my last post, it seems like there is just a single Eastern Rosella. Mesh was also installed at the Cockatoo enclosure just this morning.

Very exciting, but I must ask... any idea if there are plans to bring in a new Komodo Dragon, or what's happening to Kilat's old space?

 

[Kalvin]

Very exciting, but I must ask... any idea if there are plans to bring in a new Komodo Dragon, or what's happening to Kilat's old space?

The Komodo Dragon habitat is currently occupied by Crested Seriema Nadine, but that's almost certainly a temporary measure to keep the exhibits looking full for the 50th. Not sure if/how soon they would be looking for a replacement for Kilat.

 

[StellarChaser]

The Tamanduas are not on regular display currently, if you are lucky enough you may see the keepers walk them around the Kid's Zoo area, they are probably kept as ambassador animals.

 

[Judache]

Very exciting, but I must ask... any idea if there are plans to bring in a new Komodo Dragon, or what's happening to Kilat's old space?

I know this doesn't answer the question, but talking of Kilat, they have moved the Komodo dragon bronze(?) statue that used to be on the path near the Australasia exit (just before the kangaroos), to a spot outside the entrance instead. I hope they keep it there permanently, much more visible than its most recent location. The 'remembrance sign' that was in front of his habitat since his passing is currently outside with the statue.

 

[Zooer]

Dolf posted a video thanking the staff for getting the habitat ready for Bucky (a babirusa).

Is that the rhino exhibit and they’re going to rotate them? He could have just meant ensuring it was safe/contained enough for the much smaller animal?