Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2021

That would be extremely exciting if another wild population was found that is unrelated to the original 7 and thus all descendants. Just like it would be amazing to find an unrelated herd of Przewalski's horses because they too descend from less then 10 individuals. Sometimes it feels small but its a big world and not every inch has been explored. Things get missed.

I too would love to see more waterfowl in general at the zoo. It's an area where the zoo is sorely lacking not just in the Canadian collection but the whole zoo. Just think about all waterfowl and how many species there are in the world. The only SSP anseriform the zoo keeps is the trumpeter swans who are left virtually wild. They could keep more. And you are right being we are in Canada the zoo could easily build a big space to either encourage other species of waterfowl other than the Canadian geese, mallards, sea gulls and less common herons. The zoo isnt in the middle of a city far from a coast. Its in a wooded area on the edge of the city not all that far from the lake but also with a major river running at the back of the zoos property.
 
For those who dont know the zoos Facebook live from Feb 26th was a really cool one on the zoos bio facts (skulls, skins ect). The lion pelt the zoo has is from Rowdy. They have hippo, Samson's, skull. The collection that we could see in it looked really neat. I would love to see the zoo set up an actual exhibit displaying all of this. I don't need to be able to touch all of it. It could be behind glass. But it would be cool to have all kinds of skulls laid out for comparison. Or skins hanging up beside each other (compare sizes between a polar bear and lion). Lots of things could be done. Even tell the stories of some who have passed at the zoo and are now part of the collection in a different way. It was a really fun look into a part of the zoo we just dont get to see that often.
 
On Dolf DeJongs social media he gave a sneak peek at a new exhibit, but it was not the orangutan exhibit, anyone know what it could be? In the background you could see one of the pavilions but I can’t tell which one it was. And the texture was like the vertical twigs like logs used for the red river hog outdoor exhibit when you walk up the boardwalk coming from the tiger. Could it be a possible expansion? Who knows but it would be cool if it was.
 
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@Akula On the Instagram story he has 3 voting options over the photo, new exhibit, new food services and new washroom. From my knowledge, they are renovating the bathroom at the top of the boardwalk next to the Burrows & Caves. Not so exciting, I know!
 
@Akula Oh, you’re right! I clicked on the new washroom option and it turned red! New exhibit was green! Wow. I haven’t heard anything about this. I’m very curious now!
 
Can’t wait to go back and see what has changed, let’s hope this new “Exhibit” is worth the wait! I would like it if it is an expansion or something towards the new phases of Africa since they are years behind on some of their plans.
 
Budi and Sekali have been integrated so let’s hope for some good news in time. Budi’s Cheek pads have really grown since I last saw him. Who knows maybe the Zoo put them on exhibit since there were no visitors, so maybe a good thing from COVID??? Plus they have observed breeding behaviours and next week Sekali will be ready for breeding.
 
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They would have introduced the orangs on exhibit most likely so that they had plenty of space to escape from each other if someone had a temper tantrum. No one likes people invading their space, even animals.

Normally I would say its not the wisest time to attempt breeding because a March conceived baby would be born in November but given that Sekali had rejected him in the past best to start early as it may have taken a few months before she would accept him. Still could take a few months to get pregnant. Besides once they know Sekali is pregnant they will move on to Ramai. Those introductions might be slower because it will be to Ramai and Jingga. Ramai's baby will probably be no more than year behind Sekali's, though likely far less. And as we all know an orang baby will still be so tiny by spring 2022 no one will know the difference.

Budi is looking so different! I would love to have seen Kembali too since his development is still behind Budi's. The comparison would have been neat. The zoo could have just posted updated photos of the boys and snuck it in before or after the live stream. Oh well. Maybe another time.
 
I really think that the zoo, just needs a baby orangutan, it’s been about 15 years since we’ve seen “New Baby orangutan” on the News or Social media. So they really need to get the word out if all goes well, I think that if Sekali does follow through with everything, the next time they’ll try and time it better. They have only talked about Sekali so I do hope that Jingaa will leave soon to get the process going with Ramai but since COVID Jingaa will probably still be here in 2022. If anything let Budi and Ramai breed, then Jingaa will get some experience in rearing an infant. Also @TZFan, I asked the zoo and they said that, it is possible that Budi’s cheek pad development may be slowing down Kembali’s since Budi is the Dominant male out of the two currently.
 
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It is actually much better for Jingga to be with Ramai when she delivers and at least at the start of rearing the baby. She should have had a little brother or sister by now that she could practice mothering on. For Jingga's sake and her future first born, I do hope she sticks around until her sibling is at least a year old. Get a little baby experience under her belt. Zoo's try hard to make sure young females get a chance to participate in their younger siblings life to make them better mothers. Jingga being at the zoo has zero impact on Ramai's ability to breed.
 
Oh also forgot to mention on Friday they observed breeding behaviours and the same on Saturday. Also on the Toronto Zoo Conservancy Facebook page, they have a video of the orangutan outdoor habitat currently and a close up photo of Budi from Feb. 10.
 
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Survey | SurveyLab Finally the zoo is taking visitors views for the new master plan! We need to get our voices through, we want our sites come to life! Plus it’s all anonymous and you can submit more than once. About 3/4 of the way through they ask about an indoor African Savanna area... can’t wait for the Master Plan to be released. Toronto Zoo | Master Plan.

Background Research
(Fall/Winter 2020)
Internal Stakeholder
Workshops
(January 2021)
Project Website &
Online Survey Launch
(Early March 2021)
Online Survey Closed
(Late March, 2021)
Toronto Zoo Staff Webinar
(Late March, 2021)
General Public Webinar
(Late March, 2021)
Deadline for Public
Feedback & Submissions
(Mid-April 2021)
Public Engagement
Report Submitted
(Early May 2021)
Master Plan Submitted
(June 2021)
Master Plan Approved
(July 2021)

try and get those submissions in by April please. :)
 
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The ideas they are pondering are interesting.

I am 100% onboard for an indoor savanna as long as they dont do the Toronto thing and cheap out on it. Get so far in with great vision then scrap it all for serviceable. Don't do it unless it will be African Rainforest level amazing. I dont need my love of the savanna being tainted by a Eurasia of the savanna. I'd rather wait 25 years for it to be amazing then get it next week and its just a barn.

The idea of them opening an area for rescues scares me. I get the message they are going for but I would rather not compromise the SSP species we have for rescues. Sure we might get a unique species but at what cost? If its to reuse the Indian rhino space I vote no. Its the cost we have to pay in terms of a possible species or animals of the same species who could contribute to conservation. They wanna build something off site for that... I was going to say fine but again I would rather an offsite breeding facility or work being done at the zoo itself.

I loved the idea of a daycare at the zoo. I'd have been a happy toddler if my preschool had been at the zoo. If I had kids or lived in Scarborough I would love it for my kids. Really neat idea. Pretty niche but super cool.

Yes my god they could improve the food. Dump Compass Group and bring in others who will serve good food for a good price. I dont like pay $15 for a burger and fries and knowing I could have paid less for a Big Mac and like it more. No qualms paying $15 if it was worth it. It is not. And while I am on this has anyone else realized for an extra large pepperoni pizza from Pizza Pizza at the zoo you pay $21.99. If I ordered it online and picked it up it would be $17.99. Price gouging for no reason! I get there is some deal with the zoo but Pizza Pizza don't rip me off you have a captive audience. Im sure you make plenty. I'd like to see improved fast food options that are either cheaper to match the quality of the food or improved quality to match the hefty price. But it would be nice if there was a great quality sit down restaurant on site maybe as part of an adjoining hotel (which was kind of suggested in overnight lodging but might be glorified huts). Plenty of adults visit and would rather have a nice meal instead of a burger and fries. And by nice I dont mean super fancy. Until that day comes I will continue to pack in my own meals. Your loss zoo because I would happily hand you the money.

A microbrewery is interesting. Non drinker but I can see it as a potential money maker for the zoo. Perhaps a really good money maker as they currently dont sell alcohol and it would invite a more adult crowd in.

The idea of going to the zoo for my dentist or optometrist is weird. Did anyone else scratch their head seeing that one?
 
TZFan said:
The idea of going to the zoo for my dentist or optometrist is weird. Did anyone else scratch their head seeing that one?
Click to expand...

Ya same here, I'm, completely confused on that proposal. What the hell does a dentist or optometrist visit have to do with the zoo? I am struggling to see the thought process behind it. Maybe the zoo thinks they can bring more guests to the zoo with the convenience of getting a medical appointment done while there. Something along that line of thinking perhaps? Don't even know where the zoo would have a dentist's office, possibly in the new front plaza. It does not make much sense though.
 
New video on Facebook of Budi and Sekali, they have officially observed successful breeding! That’s huge since Sekali is in cycle this week! As well TZFan, the video is fairly close up and you can get a good look at Budi’s face. Sometimes ask and you shall receive.
 
The only thing I could think in relation to the dentist optometrist was maybe they were thinking of ways to service the community while getting them in, but it seems way out of place and off message.
A zoological/environmental focussed library open to the public would be much better.
In relation to the rescued exotics I thought maybe they were expanding on there education animals.
Since a lot of rescued exotics, not counting recently smuggled, have been pets a lot of them are used to human contact.
It would make sense to use these animals as ambassadors since they usually can't be added to the SSPs anyway.
 
@kingoffreaks that is an excellent point about the exotics I hadn't considered. I suppose if they don't push out an SSP species or limit the zoos ability to participate in an SSP then using them as ambassadors wouldnt be bad. I mean if I look at the zoo with that in mind could they be looking to reimagine the Discovery Zone. If you retooled the area it could probably serve as a decent home for a number of exotics that can also be used as outreach. They could certainly improve the selection in there with rescues. Yeah the more I think about it from an outreach perspective and sprucing up the Discovery Zone the more I can get behind it. As long as the zoo is just using or minorly improving space it already has animals not important to conservation its not so bad.

It's these kinds of things I appreciate zoochat for. We all come together and talk and other ideas pop up.

I still don't get how medical appointments meets with the zoos conservation message but you are right they are looking at ways to bring people towards the zoo. I guess parents don't need to lie to their kids and tell them they are going to the zoo if their dentist is at the zoo. Really seems the odd ball idea in the mix but I will give credit to them for looking at unconventional options. With them looking at any idea to draw people in the new master plan could be innovative for the zoo. Whether or not that is a good thing has yet to be determined but for ages we have all been saying they need to get out of their tired old thinking. This master plan could well show us the strongest signs that they are going to do just that.
 
Quick update ion the “new exhibit” they have gutted the women’s bathroom so far, we have more evidence that it is the burrow and caves section since there is a bathroom located their, he did also mention a new water pump system, but that could be unrelated.
 
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