I went to the Zoo last weekend, first chance I've had post an update...here's a few things I found interesting - or just enjoyed (I try to go every month or so but for various reasons I hadn't made it there since Boxing Day).
(Sorry, this will be a looong post - and mostly mammal-focussed.)
Indo-Malaysia:
Ashakiran & Kiran inside...and now over a year old, he is getting so big! Still acting like a youngster though, even still "sat" like a dog (as he used to do as a baby).
One of the males was in the main outdoor exhibit - not sure if it was Vishnu or Nandu, as he mostly had his head stuck in the door wanting go back in. My guess is Nandu, seemed "smoother" than I remember Vishnu.
Sumatran tigers being noisy, but not very visible (they were both hanging out in chute areas almost under the bridge).
Didn't look at the outdoor clouded leopard exhibit due to several zillion screaming children in oversized strollers. Did see one asleep in a hammock in the inside exhibit (leopard, not child ).
No butterflies yet, but lots of broody-looking birds.
I was SURE I'd seen somewhere recently that we lost one of the white-handed gibbons...but I was obviously mistaken as there were two in there, and when I went back to look I couldn't find any posts or news stories.
Puppe was out by herself, she'd left her blankets and yogurt cups by the window and was laying lazily on her back in a sunbeam in the middle of the exhibit, one foot hanging onto a rope, while she occasionally fanned herself with a palm frond like a silent screen actress!
African Savannah/Rainforest:
Lots of work being done on the outdoor exhibit public fencing, especially all around the Savannah area, I'd noticed last year that some of the fence poles and railings seemed quite rickety, so this was badly needed.
White rhinos, zebra, kudu, warthogs and river hippos still off exhibit - not that I expected otherwise - although it was a mostly sunny day, there was still ice in the corner of the hippo pool.
Two cheetah were out, happily munching on bones, baboons out being their usual rude selves, one hyena napping in the cave, and the lion pride were up on their lookout, surveying their kingdom and giving the crowd amazing photo ops. Fintan's mane is absolutely magnificent now it's all fully grown back!
The eland were all out, which surprised me. I noticed their coats did look a bit fuller/less sleek than usual, perhaps they're adapted (somewhat) to the cooler weather?
The Watusi were technically on exhibit, but were hiding in their lean-to at the back, could just see them (yet when I was there in November they'd been out in the snow. Go figure!)
Penguins were mostly inside - but they had the freedom to go back and forth - a few were braving the world and checking out the outdoor pool.
Gorillas were of course inside - the bachelor boys in the day room and the rest of the troop in the rainforest. Charlie's getting big - still mostly riding on mum's back, but Ngozi is getting much more casual with her...if she is ready to move and Charlie doesn't hang on quick enough when she is placed up there, Ngozi will go anyway (if it's just a short way), leaving Charlie to waddle behind, hanging on to her mum's rear end for dear life instead (and sticking her head between Ngozi's back legs). Quite amusing! It also seemed as though Ngozi was trying to get Nneka to "baby-sit", but Nneka wasn't having it - she'd take off every time Ngozi came towards her with Charlie.
I think she was more interested in her own "baby" as when I first went in there, Nneka and Johari were carrying around a stuffed animal each. When I popped back in a couple of hours later, Nneka had commandeered both toys and was carrying one in her hand and the other with her foot (or sitting on it).
There was also new (to me) signage at the gorilla exhibit - under the usual "please respect our gorillas, do not yell or tap on the glass", there was another asking people not to show them any videos, as the content could be upsetting and potentially cause problems with the family dynamics. Makes you wonder if there was an incident that warranted putting this up.
Oh, also classy new updated pictures and descriptions of the troop(s) including Charlie, on the wall on the pavilion.
Penelope the pygmy hippo is getting big, and was hiding out on her own in the water under the bridge, while Kindia munched food up on dry land. Later they were both together in the water.
First time I went in, no red river hogs and no signage. I was so disappointed. I asked a volunteer in the area and she honestly had NO clue what I was talking about - first confused them with warthogs, then told me their exhibit was outside and closed for the season, and that the babies weren't on display yet. I had to tell her that they'd been exhibited recently and regularly in the area where Harvey usually is, according to the Zoo's social media. Volunteer looked even more confused so I just thanked her and left. Anyway, I went back later and the whole river hog family were now out, albeit all asleep and huddled up together but even asleep, at least I got to see the hoglets before they completely lose their stripes.
Giraffes. Oh I do love them. They were inside, Mstari at the back diligently stripping bark off branches that had been hung up, and Kiko near the front eating hay.
There were several volunteers inside, and I ended up chatting to someone who (unlike the other lady with the hogs), seemed very knowledgeable, not just about the giraffes themselves but about the whole zoo and what's going on. She mentioned that the new CEO is very excited to push through a lot of the things that the zoo is behind on (she specifically mentioned the outdoor orang space), and said he is also very big on the horticultural side of things (especially with the value of the zoo's collection). I said I'd noticed all the fencing & repair work being done and she said he also wants to replant/tidy up a lot of the plants around the zoo, in public areas where a lot of the species that were planted are being overrun by native plants, and starting to look a bit messy.
She said he is also big on other things the zoo can do to attract visitors, like the light show and other evening events . I commented that these events are all well and good, but for people like myself (and most of my friends) who rely on the TTC to visit, these events are out of reach - as the buses stop running before the events end - and a 2km trek uphill to the main road for a bus is NOT something people want to do, especially at night. She said that was valuable feedback and she would pass it on, and that she knows the zoo is well aware that transit options are an issue, especially for the busy summer tourist season.
But! Back to the giraffes. She basically said that the two have been very busy breeding over the past few months, even to the point of having to close down the Giraffe house occasionally to give them "private time" (and presumably so as to not traumatise toddlers! )
Whether or not there is actually any pregnancy they have no idea, but even if it hasn't happened yet they're very pleased that Kiko and Mstari have definitely figured out what needs to be done.
Australasia:
No kangaroos out yet, as expected. Inside, a komodo standing over a log - no clue which one - it was big and staring at everyone.
One wombat (Arthur?) being very open and animated while he groomed himself...no echidna to be seen (I have NEVER seen it!)
Overheard nearby, a man saying to his companion "I honestly thought wombats were just a made up cartoon animal." She just burst out laughing.
The jellyfish appeared to have shrunk a lot... therefore I conclude they get replaced with new stock every now and then.
Tundra Trek:
I happened to be at the right place at the right time, so got to see keeper Amy doing a training session with Hudson at that side entrance to the "maternity" exhibit (just like the video the zoo posted a few months ago). It was fabulous to see up close!
I didnt go any further into Tundra Trek, but did see the wolves sunning themselves on the hilltop.
Eurasia:
Amur tigers - Vasili asleep on the grass in the back of the large exhibit, Kira pacing back and forth in the smaller one. At least she was going by the window, to the thrill of the very loud kids. My ears weren't so thrilled.
Gorgeous animals though.
The tur were mostly eating - with one inside the feeder - as usual. One male tried to step daintily over a log, only to find himself trapped by a higher branch, he spent some time head-butting it before giving up and backing out.
I didn't go all the way around Eurasia, my feet were killing me, but did go down to the snow leopards - one was sleeping on the ground near the back, could barely see it though.
But...have I been blind for the past few years and completely missed the Chamois exhibit across from the snow leopards? I swear, in all the visits I have never noticed it! Well, there is a signed exhibit and there was at least one in there, contentedly chewing its cud.
Walking back out I was happy to see a couple of Przewalski's horses in that holding area between Eurasia/Tundra. I always make a point of looking as that's the only place I can see them when the zoomobile isn't running. Usually there's a bison or two up there as well, but didn't see any this time.
And that's it! I didn't make it into the Americas this time, and Canadian Domain is, for me, sadly usually just a carefully planned, once-a-year mission. I can't wait until it is eventually moved "upstairs"!
And finally, I did notice that the permanent restaurants (including the Timmie's Peacock Cafe) had Liquor License application notices posted.
Sorry for the long post (and any typos), but hadn't seen any recent "visit updates", so thought I'd take the time to put this all down.
(Sorry, this will be a looong post - and mostly mammal-focussed.)
Indo-Malaysia:
Ashakiran & Kiran inside...and now over a year old, he is getting so big! Still acting like a youngster though, even still "sat" like a dog (as he used to do as a baby).
One of the males was in the main outdoor exhibit - not sure if it was Vishnu or Nandu, as he mostly had his head stuck in the door wanting go back in. My guess is Nandu, seemed "smoother" than I remember Vishnu.
Sumatran tigers being noisy, but not very visible (they were both hanging out in chute areas almost under the bridge).
Didn't look at the outdoor clouded leopard exhibit due to several zillion screaming children in oversized strollers. Did see one asleep in a hammock in the inside exhibit (leopard, not child ).
No butterflies yet, but lots of broody-looking birds.
I was SURE I'd seen somewhere recently that we lost one of the white-handed gibbons...but I was obviously mistaken as there were two in there, and when I went back to look I couldn't find any posts or news stories.
Puppe was out by herself, she'd left her blankets and yogurt cups by the window and was laying lazily on her back in a sunbeam in the middle of the exhibit, one foot hanging onto a rope, while she occasionally fanned herself with a palm frond like a silent screen actress!
African Savannah/Rainforest:
Lots of work being done on the outdoor exhibit public fencing, especially all around the Savannah area, I'd noticed last year that some of the fence poles and railings seemed quite rickety, so this was badly needed.
White rhinos, zebra, kudu, warthogs and river hippos still off exhibit - not that I expected otherwise - although it was a mostly sunny day, there was still ice in the corner of the hippo pool.
Two cheetah were out, happily munching on bones, baboons out being their usual rude selves, one hyena napping in the cave, and the lion pride were up on their lookout, surveying their kingdom and giving the crowd amazing photo ops. Fintan's mane is absolutely magnificent now it's all fully grown back!
The eland were all out, which surprised me. I noticed their coats did look a bit fuller/less sleek than usual, perhaps they're adapted (somewhat) to the cooler weather?
The Watusi were technically on exhibit, but were hiding in their lean-to at the back, could just see them (yet when I was there in November they'd been out in the snow. Go figure!)
Penguins were mostly inside - but they had the freedom to go back and forth - a few were braving the world and checking out the outdoor pool.
Gorillas were of course inside - the bachelor boys in the day room and the rest of the troop in the rainforest. Charlie's getting big - still mostly riding on mum's back, but Ngozi is getting much more casual with her...if she is ready to move and Charlie doesn't hang on quick enough when she is placed up there, Ngozi will go anyway (if it's just a short way), leaving Charlie to waddle behind, hanging on to her mum's rear end for dear life instead (and sticking her head between Ngozi's back legs). Quite amusing! It also seemed as though Ngozi was trying to get Nneka to "baby-sit", but Nneka wasn't having it - she'd take off every time Ngozi came towards her with Charlie.
I think she was more interested in her own "baby" as when I first went in there, Nneka and Johari were carrying around a stuffed animal each. When I popped back in a couple of hours later, Nneka had commandeered both toys and was carrying one in her hand and the other with her foot (or sitting on it).
There was also new (to me) signage at the gorilla exhibit - under the usual "please respect our gorillas, do not yell or tap on the glass", there was another asking people not to show them any videos, as the content could be upsetting and potentially cause problems with the family dynamics. Makes you wonder if there was an incident that warranted putting this up.
Oh, also classy new updated pictures and descriptions of the troop(s) including Charlie, on the wall on the pavilion.
Penelope the pygmy hippo is getting big, and was hiding out on her own in the water under the bridge, while Kindia munched food up on dry land. Later they were both together in the water.
First time I went in, no red river hogs and no signage. I was so disappointed. I asked a volunteer in the area and she honestly had NO clue what I was talking about - first confused them with warthogs, then told me their exhibit was outside and closed for the season, and that the babies weren't on display yet. I had to tell her that they'd been exhibited recently and regularly in the area where Harvey usually is, according to the Zoo's social media. Volunteer looked even more confused so I just thanked her and left. Anyway, I went back later and the whole river hog family were now out, albeit all asleep and huddled up together but even asleep, at least I got to see the hoglets before they completely lose their stripes.
Giraffes. Oh I do love them. They were inside, Mstari at the back diligently stripping bark off branches that had been hung up, and Kiko near the front eating hay.
There were several volunteers inside, and I ended up chatting to someone who (unlike the other lady with the hogs), seemed very knowledgeable, not just about the giraffes themselves but about the whole zoo and what's going on. She mentioned that the new CEO is very excited to push through a lot of the things that the zoo is behind on (she specifically mentioned the outdoor orang space), and said he is also very big on the horticultural side of things (especially with the value of the zoo's collection). I said I'd noticed all the fencing & repair work being done and she said he also wants to replant/tidy up a lot of the plants around the zoo, in public areas where a lot of the species that were planted are being overrun by native plants, and starting to look a bit messy.
She said he is also big on other things the zoo can do to attract visitors, like the light show and other evening events . I commented that these events are all well and good, but for people like myself (and most of my friends) who rely on the TTC to visit, these events are out of reach - as the buses stop running before the events end - and a 2km trek uphill to the main road for a bus is NOT something people want to do, especially at night. She said that was valuable feedback and she would pass it on, and that she knows the zoo is well aware that transit options are an issue, especially for the busy summer tourist season.
But! Back to the giraffes. She basically said that the two have been very busy breeding over the past few months, even to the point of having to close down the Giraffe house occasionally to give them "private time" (and presumably so as to not traumatise toddlers! )
Whether or not there is actually any pregnancy they have no idea, but even if it hasn't happened yet they're very pleased that Kiko and Mstari have definitely figured out what needs to be done.
Australasia:
No kangaroos out yet, as expected. Inside, a komodo standing over a log - no clue which one - it was big and staring at everyone.
One wombat (Arthur?) being very open and animated while he groomed himself...no echidna to be seen (I have NEVER seen it!)
Overheard nearby, a man saying to his companion "I honestly thought wombats were just a made up cartoon animal." She just burst out laughing.
The jellyfish appeared to have shrunk a lot... therefore I conclude they get replaced with new stock every now and then.
Tundra Trek:
I happened to be at the right place at the right time, so got to see keeper Amy doing a training session with Hudson at that side entrance to the "maternity" exhibit (just like the video the zoo posted a few months ago). It was fabulous to see up close!
I didnt go any further into Tundra Trek, but did see the wolves sunning themselves on the hilltop.
Eurasia:
Amur tigers - Vasili asleep on the grass in the back of the large exhibit, Kira pacing back and forth in the smaller one. At least she was going by the window, to the thrill of the very loud kids. My ears weren't so thrilled.
Gorgeous animals though.
The tur were mostly eating - with one inside the feeder - as usual. One male tried to step daintily over a log, only to find himself trapped by a higher branch, he spent some time head-butting it before giving up and backing out.
I didn't go all the way around Eurasia, my feet were killing me, but did go down to the snow leopards - one was sleeping on the ground near the back, could barely see it though.
But...have I been blind for the past few years and completely missed the Chamois exhibit across from the snow leopards? I swear, in all the visits I have never noticed it! Well, there is a signed exhibit and there was at least one in there, contentedly chewing its cud.
Walking back out I was happy to see a couple of Przewalski's horses in that holding area between Eurasia/Tundra. I always make a point of looking as that's the only place I can see them when the zoomobile isn't running. Usually there's a bison or two up there as well, but didn't see any this time.
And that's it! I didn't make it into the Americas this time, and Canadian Domain is, for me, sadly usually just a carefully planned, once-a-year mission. I can't wait until it is eventually moved "upstairs"!
And finally, I did notice that the permanent restaurants (including the Timmie's Peacock Cafe) had Liquor License application notices posted.
Sorry for the long post (and any typos), but hadn't seen any recent "visit updates", so thought I'd take the time to put this all down.
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