Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2021

Going back to Orang exhibit progress, it seems like they have built a Malaysian themed temple after you exhibit the Pavilion but this just a theory. Perhaps the new project is outdoors with a bit of style, but it seems to be the way that most zoo going with a cultural theme to newer exhibits.
 
A benefit concert to support AZA zoos during covid called All Together for Animals, is being hosted Mar 31. It will feature performers such as Brad Paisley, Old Dominion, Ashley McBryde, Wynonna Judd, Riley Green, Jessie James Decker, Shy Carter and more. By buying tickets through the zoo's website 50% of the $30 ticket price will go directly to Toronto Zoo. Good on the AZA for setting up this benefit concert. Their facilities are all hurting but probably some far more than others.
 
More on the orang progress. Dolf's social media story was the orang habitat and the caption was Taking off the ground or something like that. So hopefully since weather is increasingly getting better progress goes a little quicker.
 
I know this is kinda random, but I wish they changed the "brake for snakes" sign to "brake for bunnies" a lot of international visitors have aversions to snakes, and many people miss out on the wetland area and the interactive booth they sometimes have open. I also have seen wayy more rabbits there than I have snakes, the cute factor is much better at getting people to see the wetland area and the amphibians, birds and experience the volunteers help build.
 
Some new tidbits on the orang exhibit from the newest Facebook livestream. The lot talked about an “orangutan vending machine”. Apparently they will hide tokens in the exhibit for the apes to find, and can be exchanged for treats. Also, the zoo will be using Artificial intelligence cameras in both the current and outdoor exhibits. This will allow scientists to track the daily habits of each individual orangutan for research. Pretty cool!
 
For those interested in giraffes the zoo is taking part in a premier of a documentary with little Amani's name sake Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, 'The Woman Who Loves Giraffes' on May 6 and on May 12 at 7pm, a Q&A will be hosted by Dan Riskin and Dr. Innis Dagg. The cost is $25 for the event with all proceeds going to our Room to Grow campaign at the zoo. Not quiet something that peaks my interest but I think its a brilliant move on the zoo's part to start hosting live talks with world renowned experts online. They can reach so many more people then they would if it was hosted at the zoo itself which the zoo used to do on occasion. I hope it is a success and they look at others they could do something similar with. I would probably be more interested in a gorilla or orang talk. And being online first off anyone in the world can attend but it also opens it up to reaching out to experts who are elsewhere in the world and wouldn't come to Toronto for a talk but who is more than happy to sit in front of a computer for awhile. I could see it being a successful thing for them.

Toronto Zoo | Events
 
The zoo has announced they have concerns over gorilla, Charlie. She has had a hand tremor for awhile now and its not been improving. She is going to be brought into the health center soon and assessed veterinary neurologists from the Ontario Veterinary College and a paediatric neurology specialist after their initial observations last month. Hope they can find out what's wrong and help her. It would be a shame if its something that they cannot fix, or might prevent her from being a breeding candidate or worse require her to be put down eventually. She will be in great hands though so we can only hope for the best.
 
The zoo is running a contest through May 19 on Facebook to win a prize of 2 free month long passes to Zoolife so you can watch the web cams. All you need to do is like the photo and share with 5 friends to enter. Great 2 people can test it out for longer than 5 minutes! Two people actually being able to test it out will definitely drive sign ups for something that costs yearly what you can pay for an individual membership and 1 Wild encounter.
 
Update on gorilla, Charlie. She was knocked out by the staffs vet team and provided with a police escort to Toronto Animal Health Partners clinic for an MRI and collection of cerebrospinal fluid for testing. Brain lesions were found but they think its part of inflammation tied to whatever her issue is. There is no diagnosis just yet. She was safely returned home to Ngozi and the group the same day and is back to her usual self. They are hoping that the big team now working with her, both inside the zoo and out, will figure out the cause of her hand tremors soon.
 
I apologize if it's been mentioned before but is does the zoo still have tomistoma?
 
@PSO, unless something has changed since the zoo closed like a death or unexpected transfer the answer is yes. The zoo has an unsexed nearly mature sub adult named Fernando. Currently there are no plans I know of for it to leave or for a possible mate to arrive. The exhibit is currently too small for a breeding pair so if anything Fernando would probably leave and a new juvenile or group of hatchlings would arrive.
 
TZFan said:
@PSO, unless something has changed since the zoo closed like a death or unexpected transfer the answer is yes. The zoo has an unsexed nearly mature sub adult named Fernando. Currently there are no plans I know of for it to leave or for a possible mate to arrive. The exhibit is currently too small for a breeding pair so if anything Fernando would probably leave and a new juvenile or group of hatchlings would arrive.
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Would be nice if they got that sorted in tandem with the orang utan facility and deciding what they will have for alternative to the Indo-Malaya area!
 
@Kifaru Bwana, not gonna happen. The orang exhibit is just including the orangs. A major pavilion reno should be on tap come the new master plan. When that project will come up is anyone's guess right now but it needs a massive reno to compete with the rainforest which is one of the best projects the zoo has done. There are several high needs areas throughout the zoo.

Based on where the exhibit sits I have hard time figuring out how you fix the space issue. Its bordered by a path leading up to the orang upper level viewing, the orang exhibit, a stair case back down and a pond/free flight aviary. The only space to move into is the pond/aviary but it would need to be so significantly altered to house a crocodilian it would ruin the beauty of the area. Its the area I like most in the pavilion so Im not a big fan of changing it other than my constant desire for more species. Its the pavilion that is probably hardest to renovate based on layout, orang needs and overall size. It will be one heck of an expensive project to fix the pavilion up.
 
Hello all, I managed to get a time for the zoo yesterday and on my visit it was a nice walk to get outside. But I do caution those with family or even themselves to watch for the big crowds. Tundra Trek and the Americas were loaded with people so I did avoid those areas. Africa wasn't too bad since most guests were leaving by the time I made it up there. this was close to closing so some of the animals had already gone inside such as the Hippos and Zebras. Then in Indo-malaya you will get a behind the scenes look at the back paddock of the rhino enclosure due to construction in the main yard.

If anyone has gone please let us fellow zoo goers know how your experience was.
 
As well not many people were wearing masks or social distancing. Especially at Tundra Trek and the America’s.
 
During my 2 visits, I noticed that people mostly did wear their masks in areas with less distancing space. Personally, I put my mask on in the Polar Bear area, as that's the one area i noticed people tend to gather when looking at the bears.
 
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