Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2023

[cypher]

It’s the New Year, so I decided to head to the zoo. Weather was perfect, not being too cold or too warm.

For anyone that hasn’t been to the zoo in a while, note that there are multiple points of construction going on around the zoo. Some areas are completely blocking pathways that lead to detours to reach certain areas of the zoo. I’ll cover these more in the Developments 2023 thread, since most of these are developmental projects around the zoo.

First time seeing the Winter Zoo mobile in action. It’s on the new Winter Zoo Mobile path, which at point shares the pathways normally reserved for walking only. Be sure to get a map which points out the new path and the new stops.

For anyone wondering, the Cheetah cubs are still on exhibit with mom Emarah, although they’re all the same size, so not really fitting the cub moniker.

All 5 Polar Bears were out on exhibit. 1 in the field yard. 1 in the Maternity yard. And 3 in the pool yard. Does anyone know the groupings of the bears? I would think the 3 girls (Aurora, Nikita, Juno) are together, and the boys are solo, but I’m not entirely sure.

I visited just about everywhere except for the Australia Pavilion and Americas Pavilion. So, if anyone has questions, I’ll be happy to try and provide an answer.

 

[TZFan]

I think you would be right about the polar bears, @cypher. They are coming up on breeding season and while both boys are now neutered that doesnt necessarily mean they will get along while the girls are cycling. They usually have to separate the boys for a few months over the winter.

 

[cypher]

That's what makes the most sense to me, but I wasn't 100% sure.

 

[Kalvin]

I wouldn't be too sure about Juno being with the old girls. I was told during a wild encounter that Juno and Nikita were not getting along during introductions. That being said, Humphrey is not completely neutered, apparently they "couldn't find one" so they left it in, and somehow it has caused him to be extra aggressive during the breeding season. They hope to transfer him out to a bachelor group, and are trying to get Hudson and Juno together or all four, and have all the doors open for them to move around freely.

 

[TZFan]

@Kalvin, you always have the most interesting insights! Far as I knew Humphrey was neutered, not that I don't believe you. You always have concrete info. Cochrane might be able to take Humphrey in. They have successfully integrated Inukshuk, Ganuk and Henry. Im not sure on the progress Aquarium Du Quebec has made integrating Eddy, Kinuk and Shouka. Probably fine since Eddy is so much older than the brothers. Winnipeg probably isn't an option because they house so many females which would just be the same problem for Humphrey just in another location. Nikita and Juno have had lots of time to work out their social issues so hopefully all 4 bears can hang together eventually. It would be nice for the bears if the doors can just be left open and they can roam and socialize however they want. It will be so enriching for them.

 

[cypher]

@Kalvin, interesting about Humphrey. I didn't know that. It'll suck having 1 less Polar Bear, but it could help with giving all bears more space in general.

 

[hyena142]

Good to know that the zoo is divided at the moment, if I make a rare winter visit I'll have to keep that in mind. It'll be cool to see how the hill looks when they're finished with it, hopefully they'll be done by the summer

Makes sense that of all the polar bears they'd want to send away it'd be Humphrey, they've paired up Hudson with Aurora and Nikita in the past and from what I've heard it's worked, and I imagine they'd want to hang onto Juno in case they ever find a way to restart the breeding program. I'll miss him but it's the right move if it does happen.

 

[cypher]

We've seen what the plan for the new boardwalk is supposed to look like from the RFT the zoo put out a while ago. It'll be more of a zi-zag design to reduce the steepness rather than a linear decline we're all used to climbing.

 

[hyena142]

Okay, that seems like it'll make the road from Africa to Tundra a longer walk than we're used to but it's a small price to pay for accessibility. It'll be nice to see a bit more of the core woods.

 

[cypher]

Not having such a steep hill to go up and down, I doubt we'll notice that it'll take longer to venture.

 

[TZFan]

I avoid that hill because its steep. Its not the domain hill but it is a bit of a hike. I much prefer walking the boardwalk in Indo or taking the zoomo just to avoid up hill all together. Whatever gets me where I want to go without a steep incline or feeling like I'm running down a hill. Honestly I will probably walk it once and then go back to my usual zoomo. Might as well use the zoomo since a trip to the zoo isnt a trip without the zoomo. The end of my day at the zoo still feels like its missing a full monorail run and thats not been a possibility for nearly 30 years!

 

[cypher]

I usually plan my visits around the core woods hill. If I'm up to it, I'll trudge through the incline. If I'm not, I'll plan so I'm going down hill. It can be a tough hill for sure, so I can see why it's not AODA compliant. It should be waaay more tolerable when complete.

 

[Zooer]

Just saw that Dolf posted Bucky (babirusa) was in Australiasia for the winter



Is that Puzzle’s old exhibit? I can’t picture the water trough in there.

I was just at the zoo last week but didn’t see anything (although the aviary is still shut down).

 

[Kalvin]

Interesting, I saw him rotating in the rhino house when I was there last week.

The only other pool in Australasia is in the aviary, but I think it's far more likely that it is the old tree kangaroo exhibit.

 

[cypher]

I was at the zoo Sunday, but the aviary and entrance at the old Tree Kangaroo exhibit are inaccessible at the moment. This does look like the Tree Kangaroo exhibit though.

 

[TZFan]

Ok this is disappointing. Send Bucky, the babirusa, back to Indo where I want him to bond with gibbon Hoot. I loved the look of him in there. If they cant be friends fine rotate them. I know the tree kangaroo exhibit is empty but stick the wallabies in there for the winter. They desperately need more space. And I need Australasia to be more Australia than Asia. The komodos already make me sad because I want them in Indo too but know there isnt the space. I know technically the fit there geographically. I still dont like it and accept my compulsive need to organize the way I want doesnt work for all. Please let this be temporary and do something different with the space come spring.

 

[Zooer]

While I was there Hoot (white handed gibbon) was very quiet and huddled in the back corner, which made for a very quiet exhibit overall considering it's size. I know they have turtles in the water - but that doesn't make for much activity.

 

[Kalvin]

Confirmation that it is the old tree roo exhibit that Bucky the Babirusa is wintering in

 

[cypher]

Nice catch @Kalvin. Hopefully this is just a winter home, and he'll move out come Spring/Summer.

 

[hyena142]

Here's an official announcement from Dolf's insta story about Bucky in the tree kangaroo exhibit, looks like the main entrance to Australasia is open again. Not sure if this implies if the move is permanent or not though