Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2022

Looks like we hit the zoo the same day!

I have to say it was a blast seeing some of the zoo after years, and see what has changed. I will have to come down in the summer and catch more of the zoo without my family slowing me down. Though, I did convince them to go for opening! Probably would of been one of the first in the zoo if it wasn't for the computer going down, so they were letting members in first. They were taking all tickets down by hand. Just my luck technology had to fail :D

Everything else was great, though! I got some great photos. Even got sun burnt! It is a little sunnier in Ontario...
 
I have been to the zoo twice this month, I saw Suva was in outdoor alone, didn't get any chance to see Paprika
 
Visited the zoo today. The Australasia Pavilion currently has a temporary entrance due to the avian flu that skips the tree kangaroo and aviary sections (entry is by the wombats). Another interesting note: some of the birds from the Americas Pavilion aviary are in the Australasia aviary; I saw both a scarlet ibis and a sunbittern with a crowned pigeon. Additionally, there are still some other birds on exhibit, as I was also able to see grey-crowned cranes, spectacled owls and plush-crested jays in their respective pavilions.
 
I saw the river hippos were out today on the zoo’s instagram page, and a friend sent me a shot of the zebras out this weekend!

I need to make a trip out to the zoo to finally see the savannah animals again (although this weekend does not look great for weather).
 
Did a quick visit today! Couldn't see everything because I couldn't stay long but here's a few updates for you guys. I did Indo and the Savanna.

They're still in the process of transitioning over to summer mode. The rhinos, hippos and other Savanna hoofed mammals are out but the Aldabras and Savanna birds aren't out yet, the Lemur Summer Home hasn't started and babirusa Bucky is still with the gibbons.

After this visit I'm 100% convinced that Johari leaving is the right move, sorry @TZFan. She's looking pretty tired and thin with how Ngozi and her kids are treating her, so I'm starting to think she might be better off elsewhere.

One big surprise is that a ton of the Savanna exhibits are currently under construction. The hyenas and penguins were both off due to renovations, and the baboons and ostriches were off too (couldn't tell if it was for the same reason because I was in a hurry but there were keepers doing stuff in the ostrich exhibit). Dunno how long until they're back but they were actually doing some groundbreaking at the hyenas so it's nice to see they're giving the Savanna a bit of a tune up before the summer season.

Some big white rhino news: Tom was out with the girls today, so it looks like they're trying for another baby! That puts an end to the rumours that there was already one pregnant and as we know Tom likes to take it slow with the ladies so nothing could come of it but hey it's something!

oh and the baby orang is just as cute in person as he is in videos
 
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@hyena142, dont count on the savanna birds being out this summer. With avian flu seems unlikely they would risk them, especially since they are all very valuable to their respective populations with the exception of the ostriches.

I bet they leave babirusa Bucky in with gibbon Holly as her companion since they seem to get along just fine. Gives her someone to keep her company and leaves more free space in the rhino house.

No need to apologize about gorilla, Johari. I hate what is happening and wish Ngozi wasn't such a jerk. I would happily give her up. I want Johari to stay but clearly no one with power thinks my plan to split the group and then dump Ngozi when the time comes is good. I have resigned myself to the sad fact she will go, unless possibly Charles dies and they flip the script to keep the more valuable Johari.

The ostriches are probably off due to avian flu but the construction there is probably to modifications to the barn to help the wildebeest boys in the winter. The penguins might be off display for the summer too if they are at risk as well but it would give the zoo the summer to replace their pool as planned. Would actually work out for the zoo to do it this year when they need to be penned up anyway. No clue whats happening with the hyenas or baboons. The hyenas deserve work. The baboons might just need exhibit sprucing up.

Don't count white rhino Tom out. It took awhile the first time because he wasn't quite mature enough or assertive enough and the girls worked together against him. Now that he knows what hes doing it could be quick. The hope for a rhino calf this year died by about March as Zohari could be pregnant that long. Plus didnt help that the zoo didnt say anything since they now love announcing pregnancies. Come on 2023 calf... heck calves! Nope hoping for too much to think Sabi will get lucky too.

You got lucky getting to see the orang infant since there is no real fixed schedule yet. Congrats on getting to meet him.
 
@TZFan Ah didn't think that we might not get any Savanna birds this year, that'd be a shame but what can you do I guess. I guess the eagles in Eurasia might take some time off too then, maybe some behind the scenes breeding can take place.

Olive was out at the babirusa outdoor exhibit so you're probably right about that, Bucky may be Holly's roommate for the time being. He seemed pretty content checking out all the people visiting him at the glass so I imagine it's a good pairing, I'm glad Holly still has a friend even though Lenny's gone.

The penguin indoor viewing looked accessible but there was a big truck blocking most of the path and the signage seemed to assert that they were off-exhibit, not indoor only, so I didn't try it. Hopefully whenever they come back they'll be sporting the new pool they deserve. The hyena construction looked exciting, it may take some time because they had a specially designed sign with the hyena icon from the maps explaining why they were off exhibit, meanwhile the baboons just had the basic green off exhibit sign. It's probably not too much but now that they have a hyena that does more than just sleep all day I can see them installing some fun enrichment stuff for her.

I love that now that the giraffe, orang and cheetah babies are all here we're already looking towards 2023 potential lol. I can't judge, when I saw 3 rhinos all out at once my zoo fan mind went bananas. Calves plural might be a bit pie in the sky but hey it could happen! Two baby rhinos running around the exhibit together would be the best thing to ever happen.

News seemed to have spread that Sekali and the baby were out because Indo was the busiest I've ever seen it. Plus with half the pavilion closed everyone was bunched up at the orangs and that was a big yikes. Despite all that it was so exciting to see him! Can't get over that we finally have another orang baby after 15+ years. Poor mom looked exhausted but she was happy to let the guests get a peek at him from a distance.
 
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Went to the Zoo on Sunday! Crazy Boiling temperatures for a Canadian. Began with Indo. Got to see both Babirusas Olive and Bucky, but Bucky was still in the gibbon exhibit nonetheless a great way to view the difference between male and female babirusas even though olive is growing small tusks. I also got to see Vishnu and Kiran. Kiran is still a tiny bit smaller but a big boy still. Orangutans, Jingaa and Ramai, were out which was nice to see a mother and daughter duo. Kemala was right up to the glass as well so it was really neat to see such a beautiful Sumatran Tiger up close sleeping next to the one-sided glass.

Africa was great! began with the rainforest first and got to see the family gorilla troop in the indoor exhibit. Johari is looking skinny and is getting the food scraps from Charlie and Nneka. But Charlie and Nneka were head turners playing and zooming around the exhibit with a stuffed dog plush that was bogger than Charlie which was awesome. Only saw Harvey for Pygmy hippos so not sure where Kindia and Penelope were? But the Whole red river hog fam was out and about despite the blazing heat.

The savanna was full of action packed animals. Mstari and her kids were inside as Matu is still being trained and is learning how to deal with crowds. But a nice a detail in the herd was that Kiko was actually spending lots of time in the south paddock! I know keepers wanted him to get more comfortable with it and he seems that he has done just that. Even having a few neighbors, Groundhogs! Perky and petal were fully submerged in probably the clearest water that I have ever seen in a hippo pool. As well Tom, Zohari and sabi were all getting along together! Great news! On the first day apparently Tom was really into Sabi but Zohari was being a protective older Sister and charging a little it every time he would go in for his move. So a bit of a shame but still nice to Sabi still has a chance. Hopes for me are high for the White Rhinos iin the 2020s. As well all of the Zebra girls were out and watching the White Rhinos,I guess they too normally don't see all three of them out together. Oh and the Kudus were out but hiding way in the back, hard to see them.

After that was Canadian Domain nothing interesting besides a full on water pool party with Samson and Shintay! Absolutely worthy of my time.

Then Zoomobile. Went around twice since I got on at Canadian Domain. The Gnu boys seem to be enjoying their new shade cover. I really think they would go well with the Watusi for the time being. As the Watusi are barely using that large open field and they actually have a nice sized barn now. The Eurasia drive through is looking more full. As the Male west caucasian tur were added in the mix and the mouflon males were taken out I guess? Colton the most recent P-horse born last year, was right at the front for a nice greeting. Zoomobile commentator said he was pushed out of the group since he is not the alpha male. Yaks were mainly snoozing avoiding the sun.

Then got off on the Eurasa stop. Camels were all divied in too 2 groups, Zuri, Jamarcus and one other, and Zip and 2 females in the large field. Zip was following one of the females but I did not witness any breeding. The Sea eagles have a new pool but were in the shade way at the back of their exhibit. Pemba finally was right up at the glass sleeping but still nice to finally see him up close. The Amur Tigers were all asleep avoiding the Hot Sun and so was I, So after Eurasia I left, as the Sun was just getting to be too much.

If anyone has questions feel free to ask! I try to upload pics soon.
 
Thanks for the detailed update @Akula!

That's awesome that Tom is interested in both girls, I still think hoping for double calves might be a bit unrealistic but it'd be amazing if it happened.

Male tur in the drive-thru is interesting. I wonder if they moved all the males over there to finally get started on phase-out?

That's odd the sea eagles are on exhibit when pretty much every other bird is off right now because of the avian flu. Good to hear they're still working on improvements to their exhibit.
 
Dont count on the tur phase out. They did take a year off calves in 2020 and all the boys were in the drive thru. They had a pair back in for 2021 and 2022 calves. Learned my lesson when I was happy about phase out in 2020 that they were separated and so sad when there where calves in 2021.

They might not have a lot of choices with the sea eagles. There is holding space for them but they would be pretty cramped. The holding space never looked that big. Also they might have eggs in the nest the zoo wont risk disturbing. Not that I have heard anything, because I havent. Just spit balling ideas.
 
As if people weren’t unimpressed enough by the food options at the Zoo already - I don’t suggest anyone visit DQ today
 

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I had only one of two kids today - so we got in a decent amount of the zoo. He was dressed up with a “creature power suit” and brought some of his creature discs to match against the animals from Wild Kratts if anyone remembers the various versions of the Kratt Brothers shows - which was either hilarious or setting a painful precedent depending on how I look at it. The day was relatively uneventful (quiet with the weather) - but I did take note of a couple things:

Australasia
  • Pavilion - they moved the entrance again to the usual exit (into the Great Barrier Reef), and exit out beside the wombats
  • Tree kangaroo - I couldn’t see Puzzle through the windows, and we usually can, but the crate was still in there so I suspect no news there.
  • Wombats - half the exhibit is back together (with one of the wombats chilling on exhibit), and the other half looking more settled, but still a work in progress
Eurasia
  • Red panda - two were out and active - they didn’t mind the rain (although I don’t think either were Paprika)
  • Other side of the pond - I think I have to start taking the Zoomobile - too many trees back in bloom to see across the pond
  • Baby Tur - were out and playing and very little

Canadian domain
  • Unlike most - I love the Domain - but even I have to admit with the lynx gone, Bailey (cougar) passed, and Jade (eagle) off display, and Todd (fox) escaped there is really not much down there. Shintay and Samson (grizzly bears) are still a good draw, and the bison herds were out and about in the rain. I have to admit I skipped the moose - so that one is on me because I was running short on time
Africa savannah
  • Hyena - I like the new water feature! It looks good and relatively natural
  • Cheetahs - the cubs were out! Even though it was a quiet day at the zoo they had quite the crowd and the zoo seemed to be putting in some effort by having a volunteer posted there for the day
  • Rhinos - Tom is still out with the girls - so might be for the summer?
  • Kudu - I forget who told me where to look - but since they let me in on the kudu secret I’ve been able to reliably see them. I suspect it’s more about knowing they are in fact there and putting a little more effort in
  • Hippos - I have never seen the water look so clean - I don’t know if it was a lucky day, or if they put any money into fixing it
  • Giraffes - Kiko was in the back field, and the rest of the family was up top - but everyone was out and looked in good spirits

African Rainforest
  • Aldabra tortoises still aren’t out - I guess it’s not reliably warm enough yet
  • Ring tailed lemurs - my mother-in-law tried to convince me she saw the lemurs giving birth this week - but I refused to believe her until she sent pictures - and immediately realized she was at the Elmvale Zoo - not Toronto. So that was a bit disappointing

I’ve already shared my raccoon sighting - I called the general inquiries phone number to let them know a raccoon had been rummaging around the DQ for 10 minutes with the door open. Whenever it tried to leave people would notice and try to take a photo so it would run back in. They sent someone to look for it after it had already left - so they told me it had been locked all day and couldn’t have been there - so I sent them the photo from inside the African restaurant. I really hope they do clean it down and take a good hard look at what they might want to toss out.

Other than that - most animals were out and unless they were hiding from scattered showers were moving around as the temps were relatively reasonable and the crowds sparse.
 
@Zooer, hate to burst your lemur bubble further but there is zero chance of lemur babies. All of our lemurs descend from an unknown origin so are not to be bred. I know they did at first but that was while the zoo was out of the AZA and really didnt care what the rules were... there were quite a few questionable decisions made around then. Since then either all the males were neutered or the females were spayed. I dont recall which direction it went. But there cannot be any babies from the group unless they brought in a new individual which is unlikely since the babies still would be of no genetic value to the SSP. At least when you have no hope you cannot be disappointed. Lol.

Im sure they will clean up after the coon. Does look from the photo like he made a mess. Would be hard not to notice and with a photo of one in there they have to clean. Bet he had his fill of soft serve.

Glad you had a nice day there with you little one.
 
that pic is amazing, this was the best day of that raccoon's life

According to the zoo website the moose are currently off exhibit until further notice for whatever reason so you definitely made the right choice in skipping them. I'm not a Domain fan at the best of times but considering that it's just bison, grizzlies and raccoons at the moment I think I might forgo my annual Domain trip this year.

Nice to hear Matu finally made it out on exhibit. Hopefully they'll be able to integrate the whole family at some point instead of keeping Kiko separate but if they can't they can't, it's very unlikely Matu is gonna be a longtime resident anyways

That's really weird the aldabras aren't outside yet, they're usually there by now. I guess there's still been a few days where it's dipped below 20 a bit.

Thanks for the update!
 
Just got back from a big visit, I did everything except the Domain and the zoomo. Not the most exciting visit in the world, a lot of animals hiding from the sun and I think they've hit the record for the most off-exhibit signs used at once, but I really enjoyed myself and I saw pretty much everything I could. Some updates for you guys

-The greenhouse gift shop has been turned into a stroller rental place. They've added some new decals on the outside promoting orangutan conservation and even some concept art for the upcoming Conservation Campus.

-Did all 4 pavilions to see what they're like under avian flu conditions. Indo is a nightmare with a shared entrance/exit, if it wasn't for the baby orang I'd recommend avoiding it entirely until this is cleared up. Africa and Americas are normal aside from the aviaries being empty. Australasia is fine except you enter in the GBR and exit at the old side entrance next to the marsupials. Aside from Indo they're all perfectly fine to navigate although I question why they can't empty the Indo and Australasia aviaries the way they did for Africa and Americas just so we can keep those pavilions running normally. I'm sure there's a reason for it, it's just weird.

-Burrows and Caves sign is down and it's been converted into a multifaith prayer room

-The aldabras are officially outside for the season. No lemurs in the indoor exhibit today, I thought that was odd. Got to hear the crowned crane vocalize though, that was a first for me.

-The penguin indoor viewing is open again, their redone interior looks great. Snuck a small peek into the main exhibit, the pool has been completely drained.

-No sakis inside or outside today. Probably nothing but maybe they're giving them some breeding privacy?

-Snapping turtles are officially back after vanishing for a few years, right now we have 3 in the beaver outdoor exhibit. Everglades Loop is still closed.

-The Temple Ruin has seen better days. The only animals there right now are jaguar Luca and capybara Diego. The flamingo pool is full of algae since the birds aren't coming out until avian flu is done, the macaws are absent, and the spider monkey exhibit was empty and overgrown. Makes me feel the monkeys might've been phased out over the winter but the sign inside said they were "temporarily off exhibit" instead of the more permanent-sounding "off-exhibit" signs used in places that are definitely empty like the old Arctic fox exhibit. I dunno, I'll definitely be checking in on them over the summer to see what happens.

-There's ambient music in the GBR now. Why? Who knows. I'm not against it or anything I just think it's weird they only added it now instead of back when it opened. Kinda sounds like spa music lol

-Right half of the wombat/echidna exhibit is still under construction, no sign of anyone in the left half or outside today. Couldn't see Puzzle from outside but her exhibit looked functional, I don't think she's left yet

-No chamois to be found at their exhibit, that said Bailey was always the shier of the two so I wouldn't be surprised if he was just hiding.

-It's so nice to see the Eurasia zoomo stop finally operating again

I also kept a tally of every bird that was and wasn't on exhibit just so people here can know before they go.

On exhibit - Great hornbill, grey crowned crane, African penguin (indoor), white-breasted cormorant (indoor) spectacled owl, Steller's sea eagle, crested serima, marabou stork (Kids Zoo), that raptor in the Kids Zoo that I don't know the species of

Off exhibit - all Indo aviary birds, peacocks (I assume, I didn't see any free roaming), all Africa aviary birds, African spoonbill, sacred ibis, marabou stork (Savanna), ground hornbill, white-headed vulture, ostrich, I've heard the bald eagle in the Domain isn't there right now, all Americas aviary birds, great horned owl, flamingo, blue and yellow macaw, snow goose, all Australasia aviary birds (though I did see a Victoria crowned pigeon through the door), raven, Eurasian eagle owl

I'm sure I'm forgetting some but that's what I kept track of

Anything else you guys wanna hear about?
 
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Oh I almost forgot, they're rebuilding the little house that used to be near the camels. Looks like the new one's gonna be a lot more detailed.
 
Great to hear the snapping turtles have finally returned! Are they regular ones or alligator snappers? Also did you happen to see if the naked mole rats are still on display anywhere?
 
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