Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2023

Hi @Zoo member, welcome to the Toronto forum, always nice to see a TZ fan find their way here.

A list featuring the names of most animals currently at the zoo can be found here, just scroll down a bit and you'll find it. I also recommend TZFan's family tree series, it's a great way to look through a bit of Toronto history and learn about who came before the animals we have now.
 
@Zoo member, welcome! We can always use another member.

@Hyena142 is correct. Both of those spots will provide you with everything you could want to know. Only thing I would add is go to the last page of the family tree thread because there is an index so you know what page the info is on for a specific species instead of doing a Where's Waldo with it.
 
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Just got back from a visit, I figured with the uncharacteristically nice weather it'd be fun to go take a look around. The zoo isn't quite in summer mode yet, of the summer exclusive animals only the kangaroos were out and the gorillas and river hogs were in their outside exhibits, but the giraffes being inside and the white rhinos and zebras being absent felt kinda weird considering the summer weather. Here's some updates

-The keepers can still get into Malayan Woods even though it's permanently closed, I can confirm that. The entrance isn't blocked off, it's just hidden behind a big billboard now with a QR code that takes you to the Master Plan.

-All the pavilions are in avian flu mode as they were last year, Africa and Americas are unaffected while Indo is one way in and out starting from the exit and ending at the orangs and Australasia starts in the GBR and spits you out at in the old side exit they usually don't use anymore. What surprised me is that most of the birds are on exhibit, the only one I missed today was great hornbill Jonah and he could've easily just been taking the day off.

-The African otter exhibit is officially drained now that the species has been phased out.

-The meerkats and the African porcupine Mr. P are finally mixed together.

-The spoonbill/ibis exhibit and the walkway over the pygmy hippos is open again, I think this is the first time since covid I've been down there.

-The continued construction on the Africa to Americas boardwalk is because they're installing taller barriers on the side, I guess people were jumping off it when it was open for March Break and now they have to fix it. I really hope they have this done soon because walking back to the entrance to go to the other side of the zoo was a pain and the traffic at the Sumatran tigers was nuts.

-The macaws are in the Americas aviary in the new little spot cleared out for them, didn't see any other birds. The two blue-and-yellows were the only macaws on exhibit, no sign of the green-winged so make of that what you will.

-The glow-up Americas has had since I was last in there is crazy, everything just feels bigger and more colourful now especially at the entrance. Work is continuing on the new exhibit in the primate wing, doesn't look like it'll be as big as the other three. The spectacled owls have enjoyed a massive overhaul including a new mural and lots of new trees so their exhibit doesn't feel like a prison cell anymore. Only one of them was in there today.

-The moon jelly exhibit has more jellies in it than it's ever had thanks to the baby boom from a few years back. Even more babies are in the nursery that used to be the lionfish exhibit.

-The zoo mural team is currently painting some really cool new ones for the Australasia reptiles, I got to watch one of them finish up some work in the Fiji iguana exhibit. Glad to see they're sticking around after how killer their work in Americas was. Looks like the reptiles are off exhibit while that gets done.

-The updated Australasia aviary and the third Amur tiger exhibit are both still coming along nicely, not much else to report on that.
 
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@hyena142, there should still be a green winged macaw in all likelihood. We had 2. One was on display with the blue and golds and the other was part of outreach. Unless something happened to both we should still have the outreach macaw.

I had previously heard that there was only one spectacled owl on exhibit about a month or two ago. Spencer is missing and its Jemina on exhibit. The friend I heard it from knows each by sight but to my knowledge hasnt run into a keeper to ask what happened to Spencer.

Keeping that mural team on for the foreseeable future is the way to go. They are an insanely talented group who can do wonders for so many of the exhibits at the zoo. The zoo doesnt even have to do an upgrade if they let those guys repaint backgrounds. The exhibit will look a million times better with just the new paint job.

Thanks for the updates.
 
Sucks to hear that the Savanna to Americas boardwalk is back under construction. But it is what it is. Hopefully once it's done, it'll be done for good. There may have been a rush to complete it to a point for March break, and now it's time to finish it.
 
hyena142 said:
What surprised me is that most of the birds are on exhibit, the only one I missed today was great hornbill Jonah and he could've easily just been taking the day off.
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I actually asked this as well. My initial question was whether due to some genetic differences some birds were more / less susceptible to the bird flu or what since I saw many birds on exhibit when I expected none.

Apparently the bird flu is not airborn. So birds in cages etc are safe as are the parrots in the Americas pavilions from us walking by.

The issue becomes if you step in some goose feces you can carry the contaminated material inside the pavilions where birds roam on trails freely (Australasia and Indo-Malay, presumably the missing Americas birds) and that is how they get sick.

Never knew this before. (They also did confirm as well some types of birds get more sick than others)
 
@kav2001c Oh okay, that makes sense why most of the birds were on exhibit but the walkthroughs and freeroaming peacocks are no-gos. Still a little weird that the Africa and Americas aviaries are open but the Indo and Australasia ones aren't but I'm sure there's a reason for it
 
The other problem with avian flu is the carnivores. If a carnivore eat an infected bird they in turn become infected and odds are not in the carnivores favor. Normally they dont kill a lot of bird but a slow diseased bird will be an easy target. Keepers are also likely to be more vigilant when when they inspect the exhibits for a bird that is down or dead. Overall though they are a less of a risk than the birds.
 
The main problems appear to be the contamination and the problem with having the carnivores hunting the birds when they fly into their enclosures. I had a friend who worked in the nutrition department who said they only feed the big cats boneless or horse meat since any bird meat risks a bone splint that could puncture the insides of the cats mouths which is why the keepers always do a check on the cats when they know that they have hunted one of the birds that have flown into the enclosure.
 
Hello all!

Just thought I’d add two nuggets to the convo.

@hyena142 The African Rainforest aviary is now netted across the old Spotted-necked Otter exhibit, and the Turaco and Hamerkop are now confined to that space. So those birds are secure.

The only walk through aviary that is open right now with birds that can fly and/or access the public pathways is the tanager aviary in the Americas. The macaws probably stick to their climbing structure and are therefore not a risk. Cheers!
 
Got Back from another visit but wen to a function so here is my update that I have been waiting to pound out on the keyboard with so much excitement with the new baby camel being a top tier animal I saw today. All photos will be posted soon.

To Start I immediately went to Indo-Malaya with and saw one of the greater one-horned rhinos. Not sure who but it was either Kiran or Vishnu. Then got to see the chute that will lead the orangutans out to their outdoor home very soon. I really like it and where it will lead. So basically you will enter through the standard entrance but will be greeted with the chute that you really can't miss. But it does snake around a little bit but not till the point that they can get lost in it. Also it is really cool how it snakes behind the gibbon exhibit which really adds to the background. But I really hate the entrance to the chute. It's located on the platform by the upstairs viewing deck. It also takes up one of the windows as you can see in my photos that I will post later.

Africa was next on the list got to see the giraffes, cheetahs, lions, hyenas, Hippos, Watusi and gnu. But two notes I made is that the Gnu are down to just Ben and also the Watusi are down to just Marge and Maggie. Also the penguin habitat is once again under renos but this time on the indoor housing back area.

African Rainforest was a great since I got to see all of the gorillas and they were all active especially the bachelor boys, Sadiki and Nassir. As well the lemurs were really active.

Canadian Domain. The bison herd was so close to the fencing its a moment I will never forget. Also Shintay the last grizzly bear did look very sad and was just lying down the whole time but looked very depressed. There were 2 bald eagles and the moose habitat is no longer in existence since there is now a road going through it that leads to the bison habitat. But I can confirm that a turkey vulture was in the old cougar exhibit.

Tundra Trek was super crowded but somehow with the crazy amount of people I was able to see all 5 bears and the wolf pack was very active. But in the back area of the wolves house there was one that was alone which was quite sad to see but it was probably for an upcoming transfer or a medical thing.

Eurasia Wilds was empty. But I really wasn't complaining at that because all of the animals were out and about and active. To begin Mazy was so close to the fence in the main exhibit and was pacing back and forth. Then I believe Suva was relaxing on the ground which is super rare while Paprika was in the other exhibit high up in the trees. Then, the moment I was hoping for. I arrived at the camel exhibit in hopes that I would see the less than day old camel calf and there it was a nice bright white fur blob at the back of the paddock while mom, Suria, was vocalizing. Then, my luck continued when I got to see Pemba, a scaredy snow leopard, right up at the fence not even giving a care about me being there. It was a magical experience I will never forget so amazing to see the "Ghost Cat" up close. Truly a treat to end my day at the zoo.

Feel free to ask me any questions!
 
@Akula do you know when wildebeest Chuck died. I know Abe had passed but not Chuck. Same for Milhouse. Im actually happy we are down to two watusi. Dolf will replace them with something better so Im cool with the fact none of the boys lived too long.

The domain sounds sad. 1 coon, 1 turkey vulture, 2 eagles, 1 grizzly and the bison. Did you hear if moose Lilly and Trilly died? Totally possible given their age.
 
@TZFan No Clue when Chuck Died but what crossed my mind was that I believe I saw in one of the plans that the Gnu are supposed to get a barn so I wonder if that is still in the works. Also I forgot to mention that the door to the zebra and eland enclosure was open and open range but I didn't see either species. However I did see a zebra in the back area of the kudu exhibit. So I do wonder what is happening. Perhaps someone has any idea?

Also No Clue what happened to the moose. Domain is pretty just a nice nature trek at this point with a few animals along the way down. But I will say it's a great work out!

Oh forgot to mention the flamingos were in the old spider monkey habitat...not sure why?
 
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@Akula the flamingos might be in the spider monkey exhibit because it reduces the risk of contact with wild birds and thus avian flu. That exhibit is fully fenced where as their normal exhibit is open and often shared with wild Canadian geese and mallards. Still not totally enclosed like the aviaires inside, but better than keeping them totally locked up. Just speculation on my part.
 
Sorry to hear Chuck has joined Abe in the stars and that poor Ben is all by his lonesome now. I wonder if when Ben goes if they'll put something new in that exhibit, get more wildebeest or just make use of it as a flex space for zebras and warthogs like they used to, That space is gonna become the Safari Meander but that's many moons from now so there's plenty of time to put something in that exhibit. It'd be fun if they moved the eland boys there and used their exhibit for a new breeding program (addax!) but that's unlikely, that barn was already a bit of a tight squeeze for ostriches and wildebeest so the eland might be too big. Surprising that the watusi are down to two as well, with how easy it is to acquire domestics I have to imagine we'll be getting more of them

Wow the Domain sounds sad. I mean it was always sad but that just sounds depressing. Poor Shintay. Guess that confirms the moose are officially gone or dead if their exhibit is history. Honestly it was the worst exhibit in the zoo but it had a bit of weird charm because of that, I'll miss having it be a liminal space-type area. Cool that they put a turkey vulture down there though, it's probably just the one from the Kids Zoo. Something extra to see for those willing to make the journey down the hill I suppose

Yeah the flamingos are probably in the spider monkey exhibit because it's free and to protect them from avian flu. Shame they've lost their pond for now but safety first.

Congrats on catching the newest arrival! Fingers crossed that her white fur is here to stay.

Thanks for the updates!
 
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