Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Developments 2025

[Jefferson]

Further confirmation from the Zoo's Website, that the Red Panda project should be coming up soon, as the RFP for construction is out.

Interestingly, there is also a new RFP for "DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION FOR THE ORANGUTAN INDOOR HABITAT PROJECT"

I had heard rumblings from a keeper about this, but we will see what this actually looks like. In my dream, they make it look more natural, and coverup the keeper access and walkway below the deck and go for a more "natural" appearance. I can't find renderings, so only time will tell.

Bids and Tenders - Toronto Zoo

 

[Van Beal]

Further confirmation from the Zoo's Website, that the Red Panda project should be coming up soon, as the RFP for construction is out.

Interestingly, there is also a new RFP for "DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION FOR THE ORANGUTAN INDOOR HABITAT PROJECT"

I had heard rumblings from a keeper about this, but we will see what this actually looks like. In my dream, they make it look more natural, and coverup the keeper access and walkway below the deck and go for a more "natural" appearance. I can't find renderings, so only time will tell.

Bids and Tenders - Toronto Zoo

The news on the indoor space for the orangutans is nice, and honestly something I've been hoping to hear for quite some time. With the outdoor habitat being so nice, I think it really made the more negative aspects of the indoor space stand out even more. I do agree that it should ideally look more natural than it does at the moment.
As for the red pandas, nice to know that it will be (hopefully) starting sooner rather than later.

 

[Jefferson]

In news I didn't see coming, the zoo has announced the end of its participation in the Black Footed Ferret breeding and release program. Plan will be to shift efforts to other Canadian Species, although no announcement on what that may look like. Overall a nice success story, and interesting to see what will come next.

Source is their social media, but I have copied the text below.

Your Toronto Zoo is proud to share an important milestone in our conservation journey.

After decades of dedicated work, our role in the black-footed ferret breeding program has come to a close.

Once thought to be extinct in the wild, this incredible species has made an inspiring recovery thanks to the combined efforts of conservation partners across North America - and we are honoured to have played a meaningful part in its comeback story.

Between 1993 and 2025, 502 ferret kits have been born and raised in our care, including 18 this year.

This achievement is not an ending, but a new beginning. Now, as Guardians of Wild, we are turning our focus toward other Canadian species that need our help. Our commitment remains the same: to protect, restore, and give wildlife a fighting chance for generations to come.

Together, we’ve proven what can be achieved when science, care, and community come together for wildlife - and our work as Guardians of Wild continues!

Stay tuned for our celebration of Black-footed Ferret Day on Sept. 26, when we'll learn more about this incredible species. A reminder to guests and members that you can still visit with a female Black-footed ferret in the Americas Pavilion. There, she will continue to serve as an important ambassador for her counterparts in the wild. #savingspecies

 

[TZFan]

In news I didn't see coming, the zoo has announced the end of its participation in the Black Footed Ferret breeding and release program. Plan will be to shift efforts to other Canadian Species, although no announcement on what that may look like. Overall a nice success story, and interesting to see what will come next.

Source is their social media, but I have copied the text below.

Wow! That is a shocker. The BBF program has been a huge part of the zoos conservation efforts. Of all the programs they would cut this wasnt one I would have seen coming. Mind blowing really. All I can think is the zoo is finding it harder to get the kits across the border and while there were initial attempts to release in Canada they only release in the US these days. If they are going to invest significant space to a species bred up for release I can see the zoo saying you know a Canadian species could better use this space. I wouldnt be surprised if they wanted to use it to expand the Vancouver Island Marmots and maybe the Eastern Loggerhead Shrikes, maybe the Massassagua Rattlesnakes. I wouldnt be sad if we got in on the burrowing owl program Calgary is part of. Wonder what their future announcement will be.

 

[Zooer]

I think I missed something.

Dolf posted the same image last week - but what is the photo of the building referring to in this post for UofT Scarborough? I thought the were using the front entrance conservation building that’s being built now. Why does the building in the top photo not look like the building in the bottom photo?

 

[Jefferson]

I believe the top part of the photo is of the new Indigenous House at University of Toronto Scarborough that is opening in 2026. I think this is just a post from UTSC about the upcoming future, meaning the opening of this new building on their campus, and their collaboration with the zoo on the Community Conservation Centre, as I believe both UTSC and Centennial college are supporting the zoo in this project. Dolf then reposted their post, with the added caption celebrating them.

That is my best interpretation of the post.