Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2025

[TZFan]

I also noticed that the Scarlet Ibises are not in the big Australasia aviary (having their sign taken down). Does anyone know if they are a phase out species or if they have moved somewhere else in the zoo?

The scarlet ibises are indeed gone. They were transferred to Vancouver Aquarium.

And dont count on the zoo keeping greater one horned rhino, Vishnu, for too long. He has been recommended to be transferred out once a new home is found. Sure they are doing upgrades but there is likely a larger plan afoot. The zoo is motivated to move him out as we get closer to the start of the savanna pavilion project. Just think about it. The zoo is going to have to rehome the eland, zebras, white rhinos, kudu, marabou storks, ground hornbills and beloved vulture, Lloyd. The birds can be redistributed easily enough. The eland, zebras and kudu will likely shift to the new savanna barn with the ostriches. The hardest to rehome is the rhinos. There is only one other rhino tough exhibit at the zoo and its the greater one horned rhino barn. Its barely big enough for three grown rhinos. They cant keep Vishnu and move white rhinos Tom, Sabi and Zohari there (young Kifaru will be transferred out too). I would place money on this over the zoo farming out the trio for 2-4 years while the pavilion is being built.

 

[Cowdoy1010]

The scarlet ibises are indeed gone. They were transferred to Vancouver Aquarium.

And dont count on the zoo keeping greater one horned rhino, Vishnu, for too long. He has been recommended to be transferred out once a new home is found. Sure they are doing upgrades but there is likely a larger plan afoot. The zoo is motivated to move him out as we get closer to the start of the savanna pavilion project. Just think about it. The zoo is going to have to rehome the eland, zebras, white rhinos, kudu, marabou storks, ground hornbills and beloved vulture, Lloyd. The birds can be redistributed easily enough. The eland, zebras and kudu will likely shift to the new savanna barn with the ostriches. The hardest to rehome is the rhinos. There is only one other rhino tough exhibit at the zoo and its the greater one horned rhino barn. Its barely big enough for three grown rhinos. They cant keep Vishnu and move white rhinos Tom, Sabi and Zohari there (young Kifaru will be transferred out too). I would place money on this over the zoo farming out the trio for 2-4 years while the pavilion is being built.

Sorry, just for my understanding why is the zoo rehoming all the savannah animals listed above??

 

[Jefferson]

The next major project after the front entrance is the Savanna Pavilion. An indoor area built behind the penguin exhibit, connecting the holding spaces of the Eland, Zebra, Rhino, Kudu and bird species. The idea is that it will have indoor spaces to see these animals year round.

You can see more about this in the zoo's master plan. https://www.torontozoo.com/!/pdfs/temp/TZ_MasterplanBooklet.pdf

While doing construction, the animals will need another place to go. So the above is an idea of how that might pan out.

The idea being the only rhino proof exhibits are the GOHR and White rhino exhibit. While the white rhino barn is undergoing construction he while rhinos will need to go somewhere.

If the zoo does phase out the GOHR then in theory they may be able to go there, but not all 4 of them. There is already talks of little Kifaru moving out, and keeping our three adults, to breed again after the construction is complete (come on double rhino baby summer!)

 

[Cowdoy1010]

The next major project after the front entrance is the Savanna Pavilion. An indoor area built behind the penguin exhibit, connecting the holding spaces of the Eland, Zebra, Rhino, Kudu and bird species. The idea is that it will have indoor spaces to see these animals year round.

You can see more about this in the zoo's master plan. https://www.torontozoo.com/!/pdfs/temp/TZ_MasterplanBooklet.pdf

While doing construction, the animals will need another place to go. So the above is an idea of how that might pan out.

The idea being the only rhino proof exhibits are the GOHR and White rhino exhibit. While the white rhino barn is undergoing construction he while rhinos will need to go somewhere.

If the zoo does phase out the GOHR then in theory they may be able to go there, but not all 4 of them. There is already talks of little Kifaru moving out, and keeping our three adults, to breed again after the construction is complete (come on double rhino baby summer!)

Thank you for the context!

So the idea would not be to rehome permanently but during the duration of the construction. I'm assuming their outdoor spaces will remain intact?

 

[Jefferson]

As far as I know yes, it is a new building behind the outdoor areas.

 

[Cowdoy1010]

I wonder if there'll be any new species introduced as well.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Cowdoy1010]

Saw an interesting article from CBC this morning about a Wildlife rescue based out of Ottawa wanting to transfer a blind baby moose to the Toronto Zoo eventually. I hope this happens!!!! That way the zoo keeps moose on the species list and they're helping a rescue.

It says the province will need to sign off on approval.

Article can be found here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/cedar-the-moose-toronto-zoo-1.7592435

 

[Jefferson]

Will be interesting to see what happens. I believe the drop in species count that th new strategic plan talks about does not include resumes, so this would be a great way to get a species, without it counting towards our new limited number.

 

[Toronto Zoo Guy]

Why is the Zoo dropping its number of species to 175? It just doesn't make sense!

 

[AJ the TZ Guy]

Looks like the Zoo has officially announced that the Highland Cattle have taken up residency. Again, I'd imagine they'll be moving into the Kids Zoo which is great because it needs new recruits asap.

Aw, yay! Highland cows were on my wishlist for new animals, and the Kids Zoo would be the perfect home for them! ^o^

Also, I have to question why a savannah pavilion building is necessary, honestly part of the appeal of that whole area is the outdoor location and how natural it all looks...

 

[HawkAlot]

Aw, yay! Highland cows were on my wishlist for new animals, and the Kids Zoo would be the perfect home for them! ^o^

Also, I have to question why a savannah pavilion building is necessary, honestly part of the appeal of that whole area is the outdoor location and how natural it all looks...

Because you can't see said animals for ~6 months of the year. They have to pay to house and keep all these rhinos, zebra, antelope, birds, etc - they may as well be viewable year round.

 

[Rev705]

Not 100 percent confirmed but sounds like the highland cattle will be a zoomobile exclusive.... right after the yak, p-horse and tur gates close there's this little pen. Don't know what used to be housed there but I heard from someone who works at the zoo that it sounds like the plan is just to have to highland cattle there. Pretty annoying if true so fingers crossed that isn't what happens

 

[Jefferson]

Oh I think that is where the donkey lives? To be fair the yards in the kids zoo barn are pretty small. It might be nice for them to come up on weekends perhaps? And then down in the other yard other days?

 

[Judache]

Re the Highland cows, I did hear the same thing about their possible location viewable only from the zoomobile (it's a bit before the donkey/alpacas) - but I also heard that they will be ambassador animals, so may be going for walks around the Discovery Zone and that end of the zoo for everyone to see, just like donkey/alpacas and birds etc.

 

[Jefferson]

That would make sense, as they would be well suited, and that locations is near all the other back of house holding for the outreach and discovery team.

 

[Jefferson]

Per Dolf's Instagram, Hari (1.0 Sumatran Tiger) is moving back to the outdoor enclosure by the Indomalaya Pavilion. He had a healthcheck yesterday and I imagine he was moved to the house there to wake up, so I imagine he is there as we speak.

 

[Blitz]

Question RE the highland cows...How old is Sterling the donkey? I have it in my head he's in his mid-late 20s. Seeing as he's a big part of their outreach into Kid Zoo and having him be walked around the zoo in general, could the Highland cows being introduced to the zoo and to a similar role be prepping for once Sterling passes? (Seeing as the average donkey lives to be like 25-30 years?). I'd imagine it would take some training for even the friendliest of Highland cows to be comfortable to be lead through the zoo with the amount of people plus "strange" animals (to them anyways).

Not that I'm wishing death on my guy Sterling. Just a thought I had as to why they might have brough in the cows but have them for Zoomobile-only.

 

[Rev705]

Question RE the highland cows...How old is Sterling the donkey? I have it in my head he's in his mid-late 20s. Seeing as he's a big part of their outreach into Kid Zoo and having him be walked around the zoo in general, could the Highland cows being introduced to the zoo and to a similar role be prepping for once Sterling passes? (Seeing as the average donkey lives to be like 25-30 years?). I'd imagine it would take some training for even the friendliest of Highland cows to be comfortable to be lead through the zoo with the amount of people plus "strange" animals (to them anyways).

Not that I'm wishing death on my guy Sterling. Just a thought I had as to why they might have brough in the cows but have them for Zoomobile-only.

I was told from someone on the wildlife care team that the highland cows will be a part of the "parade" team just like Sterling and the goats so they will be making their way around the zoo. They're still a part of the outreach program so people will have up close access to them and they are also planning on having an encounter with them. And ya you'll be able to brush a highland cow because they always need brushing and they love it!

 

[Zoo adventures]

Vishnu the greater one-horned rhino is back on exhibit finally. The zoo removed slopes in the exhibit and made the exhibit more safe for him. It is amazing that we can see him once again on exhibit.
The Toronto Zoo

 

[Blitz]

Vishnu the greater one-horned rhino is back on exhibit finally. The zoo removed slopes in the exhibit and made the exhibit more safe for him. It is amazing that we can see him once again on exhibit.
The Toronto Zoo

Coincidentally, I was at the zoo today. Right before I left to go I saw the FB post and thought "YES!". Typically when I go to the zoo I go to the right and start in Eurasia. Today I specifically went left to go see my man Vishnu [the greater one-horned rhino] (and to do Africa before the heat fried me to the cement path like an egg). He was outside chomping on his hay without a care in the world

The adaptations they've made to his outside area is to remove the pond water area that was at the far right by the fence, and made more of a gradual descent with fresh "fluffy" dirt (aka not packed down). He also had white patches on him, so I asked a volunteer if it was like sunscreen to protect bad skin spots. Volunteer said it's actually a kind of honey that's doing the all-natural healing thing for him, and it goes on white. He also said that Vishnu gets the "bad" spots with his sensitive skin from rubbing himself against the scratchy stuff in his enclosure that is for the rhino natural instinct to rub against stuff (like the stuff that looks like plastic broom).

On the Highland Cow front, while my trip around on the Zoomobile there was a new area with a new roofed shade-provider structure being built/fenced between the Asian Wild Horses free-roam area and the fenced in spot for the two alpacas and Sterling the donkey. Zoomobile commentator just said that something new and exciting is coming soon and to keep an eye on the socials for hints.

Other random things I noted, if anyone's interested. Most of this is stuff that was different since my last visit on March Break (I typically do the zoo twice a year because I'm not local):

• Zoo entrance is back at the front where it should be. Last time I was there you had to detour around and came in at the Kid Zoo.
• New wooden boardwalk ramp right after ticket scan. There's also a new wooden ramp down to the main entrance Tim Hortons that wasn't there in March.
• New entrance/conservation building is looking like it isn't just a hole in the ground anymore (lol).
• Olive the Babirusa was out in the smaller side area of the Greater One-Horned Rhino house and had some sort of tortoise in with her (it wasn't as big as an Aldabra nor was the shell as tall).
• Malayan Woods pavilion was the busiest I've ever seen it (even more busy than when it had butterflies!). Mingma the Clouded Leopard was also the most active and visible I've ever seen him, so he wad drawing a bit of a crowd.
• Puppe the orangutan was in the outside area, in the hammock about to take a nap. Indoor area it was Budi and Ramai. Ramai was under a blanket and Budi came over and got under it with her for a bit, then left...it was pretty entertaining to watch!
• There's a new offshoot of the boardwalk that goes up by the Sumatran Tigers that attaches to the David C. Onley Trail boardwalk that I don't remember even seeing the turn-off for the last time I was there.
• Two gorillas were indoors napping...Nassir and Sadiki? I'm realizing I didn't go out to see who was outside.
• Two radiated tortoises over behind the Pygmy Hippo enclosure. Only one hippo was out, and it was entirely underwater on the opposite side of the bridge from the rest of the enclosure.
• Only one giraffe was outside (and the sign on the giraffe said "we're outside!" so I didn't go in). Looked kinda round, so might have been Mstari?
• 3 White Rhinos out, all napping together under a tree. Hard to tell without them all standing, but looks like Kifaru is getting big!
• 3 Zebras were out grazing together (all females? based on the picture I took, 2 definitely were, other one I can't see the key area to know )
• One cheetah was out and was not only visible considering how hot it was today, but was also strolling around in the middle of the habitat. Man, they have long legs!
• Zoomobile...I rode from Africa back to the main entrance. Commentator said the zoo has four caribou, all females. The first exhibit after the Tundra stop (on your right) was empty with a sign about things changing. Next exhibit (left) was Cedric the Wattled Crane. Commentator said they have him back here because he loves greeting and following the zoomobile when it goes by. Then on your right while waiting for the gate to open, there's a big field exhibit. Looked like nothing was in it (not sure what was before...geriatric Asian Wild Horses?). 6 female Yak. Think it was the closest the Asian Wild Horses have ever been to the road which was cool! There were I think 3-4 Tur in that part as well, all males.
• Kid Zoo: Most areas had nothing in them with signs about things changing. Saw 1 guinea pig in the glass area of the entrance building to that area, a Eurasian Eagle Owl (Sheldon?), Raven (Bran), a big grey rabbit on one side of the structure that at one time had a capybara in a pool), and a tortoise on the former-capybara-pool side. Oh, and another guinea pig in the enclosure that I think used to have the skunk? For the lack of animals in that area...they're rethinking that area, right?
• Eurasia Wilds: One Amur tiger was in the first indoor area, but it was hidden behind the wood structure at the back and you had to practically lie on the floor to see it underneath (and I wasn't doing that!). No tigers in either of the other areas. Both Red Pandas were out in the second enclosure when I walked up, but one immediately went inside, and the other was way up a tree. Camel shed had 3 camels in the shade (one of which had its first hump all floppy). Camel field had Carrie, the one with the sideways tongue hanging out the side of its mouth, and one other.
• Tundra/Mayan Temple: 4-5 wolves were sleeping in the shade just up from the covered bridge. Flamingos were all sleeping. Both spider monkeys (Eve and Poppy) were out but sleeping. No capybara in sight. They did remove the structure the macaws used to sit on from that island though...gives a better view of the waterfall! Bald Eagle (Wambali) was out giving me the stare down. They have a sign up about how she was born in 1988 and is now a geriatric bird who moves more stiff and has impaired her ability to fly. None of the polar bears were out, which made me even more tempted to jump into the pool lol.
• Australasia pavilion: saw 2 Kookaburra in the new outside little walkway in with the...cranes? (can't remember the type of bird that is).
• American pavilion: Axolotl tank is now no longer filled with water. Looks like a new habitat is about to open with something...frog or lizard? Sign above says Lemur Leaf Frog, but that's what's in the next tank or two over? Two otters were having fun swimming back and forth. Wish I could swim that strong lol. The snapping turtle was just flopped floating in the water it almost looked like it was dead.

Also, shout out to the purple-haired security guard who found my prescription glasses I managed to lose around the camels and had a minor freak out about losing 2 months after I bought them!

I've attached a few photos...one of Vishnu (you can kinda see the white patches on his cheek and on his front leg), the sign about the bald eagle, the former axolotl tank, and the new enclosure being made for the highland cows(?)