Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2025

A couple updates from the Zoo's FB:

Petal's Care
Tomorrow, 39-year-old Petal will be placed under anaesthesia so our veterinary team can investigate what we suspect is an infected lower canine tooth. We’re fortunate to welcome back the veterinary dental specialist who previously treated one of her molars in 2024.

By referencing the skull of her late brother Samson, we believe extraction may be possible if that proves best for her. Our priority is to confirm the issue and determine if it can be effectively treated. There is concern that more serious issues, like extensive bone involvement or a tumour, could be present. If it’s clear Petal cannot recover comfortably or maintain a good quality of life, we may have to make a difficult decision while she is under anaesthesia.

For now, our team is focused on giving her the best chance possible.

Outdoor Orangutan Habitat
With input from orangutan experts, we’ve completed modifications to the outdoor habitat, allowing our male orangutans to explore it again. This week, they’ll access the space individually from 9am–1pm. The area will be closed during this time for careful monitoring, then reopened for female access in the afternoon.

We’re hopeful the updates will safely contain these intelligent and resourceful animals. We’ll continue monitoring closely and make adjustments as needed to ensure their well-being.
 
Cowdoy1010 said:
A couple updates from the Zoo's FB:

Petal's Care
Tomorrow, 39-year-old Petal will be placed under anaesthesia so our veterinary team can investigate what we suspect is an infected lower canine tooth. We’re fortunate to welcome back the veterinary dental specialist who previously treated one of her molars in 2024.

By referencing the skull of her late brother Samson, we believe extraction may be possible if that proves best for her. Our priority is to confirm the issue and determine if it can be effectively treated. There is concern that more serious issues, like extensive bone involvement or a tumour, could be present. If it’s clear Petal cannot recover comfortably or maintain a good quality of life, we may have to make a difficult decision while she is under anaesthesia.

For now, our team is focused on giving her the best chance possible.

Outdoor Orangutan Habitat
With input from orangutan experts, we’ve completed modifications to the outdoor habitat, allowing our male orangutans to explore it again. This week, they’ll access the space individually from 9am–1pm. The area will be closed during this time for careful monitoring, then reopened for female access in the afternoon.

We’re hopeful the updates will safely contain these intelligent and resourceful animals. We’ll continue monitoring closely and make adjustments as needed to ensure their well-being.
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Is Petal an orangutan?
 
Great news from the zoo's Facebook:

We are happy to share that Petal, the 39-year-old river hippopotamus, is doing well after her dental procedure and examination yesterday

Your Toronto Zoo team, and two external veterinary dental specialists, successfully extracted an infected canine tooth (tusk) from the lower right side of her mouth.

Due to the large size and naturally curved shape of the tooth, a small section of bone was removed from her jaw in order to facilitate complete extraction. While under anaesthesia, Petal also had a complete health assessment that revealed she is generally in good health (aside from the tooth of concern).

She is currently receiving pain medication as she heals, and we’re pleased to report she’s eating and returning to her normal self. Our team will continue to closely monitor her post-anesthesia recovery.

Weather permitting, Petal and her sister Perky may be visible in their habitat in the African Savanna in the coming days.

Please note: although most of the dental work was performed inside her mouth, you may notice a patch of abnormal skin on the outside of her jaw. Rest assured, our team is monitoring this closely as part of her ongoing recovery.

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Btw if you want to see what a hippo's tooth looks like deff check out the post.
 
Jefferson said:
There is no 2025 discussion thread, I started one, but because my initial post didn't have enough "discussion" it was removed by the mods. Honestly doesn't make a lot of sense, if anything mods should be creating these new posts. Feel free to start one please.
Click to expand...
I just made a new one. Feel free to post.
 
I sort of missed the boat in these as I think I saw some Instagram posts from Dolf - but while I was at the zoo last I did see they made the changes to the orangutan outdoor exhibit.

You can see the “second level” of electric wiring/fencing on the towers that I’m pretty sure weren’t there before to prevent any further escapes.
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And they finally fixed the stairs to the visitor tower in the same exhibit. Originally they built them - then decide they weren’t to code and took them down - but they are finally back.
IMG_9709.jpeg
 

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I'm beyond relieved Peacock Cafe is still there, tbh, given how much of the entrance plaza got completely removed and drastically remodelled.
 
I do think Peacock will be on the way out if they get around to phase two of the front entrance. But I think that will be after the Savannah Pavilion, so you probably have another 10 years to get your use out of it.

It is nice to have the front entrance open again, right now there is a bit of a maze of ramps, all of which I think are temporary until the project will be completed, then I think they will be taken down, as the natural paved ramps will be fully open and accessible.

Was there last week, short visit, but the highlight was the orangutang: Jingga has be successfully reintroduced to Kembali for a few months now (they apparently tried a few years ago and he was too rough, but he has calmed down now). Over the long weekend she started to go outside with him, but when I was there she actually went outside first (for the first time) and he followed. She then proceeded to go out a further 3 times all on her own. It is so magical to see them out there. Hopefully they keep going out.

I have to say, while I know she will eventually be moved, which is important for her to breed, it is so nice to have another orangutang using the outdoor space.

Otherwise not much to report on off the top of my head.
 
Looks like the Kookaburras have moved outside?
 

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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.
 

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I spoke to a zookeeper today and was told that they are upgrading Vishnu's viewable outdoor exhibit. Hoping that means that we will continue to have Greater One Horned Rhinos at our zoo.
 
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?
 
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