Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2023

TZFan said:
Rarest animal Toronto has in terms of North America is our white headed vulture Lloyd. He is one of only 2 in North America. We also have Southern hairy nosed wombats which are also less common. Lion tailed macaques are getting rarer to find and we have at least 2. We do have 2 moose but they are currently off display so will they be out by the time you come? Maybe. You missed out on some recent phase outs which were rarer species. Unfortunately our Vancouver Island marmots are all in the breeding centre off display. I have seen one but I got lucky that one was in the health center undergoing an exam while I was visiting.

Babywise this summer is rather light. We have a 1 year old orang infant Wali, 1 year old giraffe calf Matu, Bactrian camel Carrie, and probably some tur. You will miss the fall arrival of a white rhino calf.

All of the zoos aviaries have been altered to handle the threat of avian flu. This has meant some changes in layouts. Nothing super noteworthy.

A new Amur tiger habitat should be ready for the tigers this summer. It's just a new enclosure expanding existing space. But still nice to get more.

The big ticket for all of us though this year is our brand new outdoor orang habitat which opens June 30. Before now our orangs have never been outside.
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Wood bison aren't as common, although they probably are significantly composed of cattle genes.

What subspecies of caribou is at the zoo or are they domestic?

Are there any other birds to look out for? I am not sure what has happened to the zebra doves.

Seeing rare reptiles and amphibians would be nice, as well.
 
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No clue on the purity of our wood bison. I would assume the zoo is trying to maintain as pure a bloodlines as possible but with wood bison domestic cattle and plains bison genes could be present for sure.

The zoo has Porcupine Caribou according to the zoo's Facebook page.

No way to confirm if the zoo still has zebra doves. The last one lived in the Malayan Woods which has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic. It was quite elderly so odds are strongly against the zoo still having it.

The most cool bird we have is whited headed vulture Lloyd clearly. Um... anything else I can remember that is super cool? Oh we have Steller's sea eagles. They are less common. There is also our great hornbill, Jonah. Not too many of them in North America. Im not sure anything else is that rare but Im not really a bird person either.

Reptiles? We have the most successful breeding program for painted terrapin in North America, more than doubling the next closest facility. We also have the largest collection of Eastern Massassagua rattlesnakes and Blanding's turtles but the majority are off display as they are being reared for release. You can see some of the turtles from the zoo's head start program in the Americas pavilion. Those are more cool facts though rather than rare or cool species. We do have an elderly komodo but lots of zoo's have them. Fun fact most komodos in North America descend from his father. Really scratching my head for cool reptiles. Oh we have Fiji banded iguanas who just had babies this year. Not super rare but neat animals plus young.
 
TZFan said:
No way to confirm if the zoo still has zebra doves. The last one lived in the Malayan Woods which has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic. It was quite elderly so odds are strongly against the zoo still having it.
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I don't think we've had zebra doves for a long time now. Even back to 2018 they did not appear to be amongst the species housed in the Woods. I can remember Red-billed Leiothrix, Luzon Bleeding Hearts, Emerald Doves, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Malayan Crested Fireback and Palawan Peacock Pheasant.

I think Echidnas are relatively uncommon in AZA zoos but with the zoo's current hours and the daylight hours you're extremely unlikely to see her.

Pretty sure we are one of the few zoos that has Guatemalan Beaded Lizards in the Americas pavilion. I remember someone on here asking questions about this recently.

We used to have so many more interesting birds but it seems like we've really axed our collection in the last 5 years, which is unfortunate, but if smaller numbers leads to better care and breeding success with those we do have, and facilitates upgrades to buildings that might allow us to improve our collection down the line, then that's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept.

There are some Madagascan cichlids in the first aquarium at the top of the stairs from the Pygmy Hippo boardwalk that are part of behind-the-scenes breeding efforts at the zoo, however, they keep the critical species (likely surplus or low genetic value) with their less endangered congeners in a ratio that I can't remember, and they look extremely similar, so have fun with that who's who. I doubt they are held at many other facilities in NA. Any other fish at the zoo we are not actively breeding is likely commercial aquarium stock, so those may be the only ones of note.
 
Could be the zebra dove has been gone longer. I remember seeing one pre pandemic but I couldnt tell you the year. Pretty safe to assume its gone.

I think the last tinamou passed sometime in the past year or two. I could be wrong though. I just feel like someone mentioned it passing at some point.
 
TZFan said:
The big ticket for all of us though this year is our brand new outdoor orang habitat which opens June 30. Before now our orangs have never been outside.
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Waiting waiting

Funniest thing is part of me wants to not go this weekend so I can go once its opened :)
I almost feel like its anti-climactic going knowing it opens so soon
 
TZFan said:
I think the last tinamou passed sometime in the past year or two. I could be wrong though. I just feel like someone mentioned it passing at some point
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Elegant Crested Tinamou Chester has been moved from the jay aviary back to the primate wing - the one with the waterfall feature.

The little frog exhibit in the Americas with the bubble for kids to poke their heads into has been removed, and at least two red poison dart frogs, Adelpobates galactonotus, are finally visible in the permanent dart frog enclosure.

The zoo seems to be putting all the final touches on the orangutan exhibit, they were installing the netting around the transfer chute/poles this afternoon.
 
Just saw on Dolf's instagram that apparently our gorillas were in an episode of a show called Titans (season 4, episode 7). Never watched the show and have zero inclination to watch it but just thought I would point it out for anyone who wants to see our friends on the show.
 
All right, I finally seen quite a few good photos of the new orang exhibit, and I have mixed thoughts. Overall, it is extremely nice, fairly Leslie planted for being a new exhibit, has natural trees, and it’s quite spacious. Plus of course there’s the o lines which will let the orangs get up high and really climb around.

Howver I have to admit, I’m rather disappointed with the lack of climbing opportunities presented in the exhibit beyond the o lines. A few measly tree trunks with some rope between them, and that’s it. That’s the one thing that’s a bit of a letdown with the exhibit for me, I would’ve expected a lot more ”low level” climbing opportunities being offered than what there currently is. In my head I was visualizing something a bit more like the gorilla outdoor exhibit, but better/more natural looking and going up higher.
 
I feel the same way after watching the video the zoo posted. I wish there was mid to large sized tree trunks and vines that were man made to replicate the forests of Sumatra. I'm hoping when everything grows out the exhibit feels more filled up and like a jungle. I hate how the back of the exhibit there's rock work and then a giant brown wall. I guess they ran out of money to continue that through, but even if they grew bamboo in the exhibit it could easily cover that up and bamboo is notorious for growing fast. It also feels closer to the vegetation seen in tropical jungles.
 
I get what you guys are saying about the drawbacks. We will have to wait and see how it all shakes out. They may add and change things as the orangs test the exhibit out. Definitely will see a change in the plants in the exhibit as things grow and mature over the summer and coming years.

But from what I can see its the best exhibit we have had built since the gorilla exhibit opened. The others lived up to the zoo's good enough standards. This one is the first in a long time to aim for something cool for both the orangs and guests.

I cant wait to see your guys photos and reviews of the next several weeks.
 
TZFan said:
I get what you guys are saying about the drawbacks. We will have to wait and see how it all shakes out. They may add and change things as the orangs test the exhibit out. Definitely will see a change in the plants in the exhibit as things grow and mature over the summer and coming years.

But from what I can see its the best exhibit we have had built since the gorilla exhibit opened. The others lived up to the zoo's good enough standards. This one is the first in a long time to aim for something cool for both the orangs and guests.

I cant wait to see your guys photos and reviews of the next several weeks.
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Hoping to get there multiple times this summer! I suddenly have a weird temptation to lure my friend under the splash zone as an orangutan presses the button :p
 
Thoughts on the new exhibit from the members preview today:

The outdoor orangutan exhibit is brilliant. Hats off to the exhibit design team as well as the interpretive team and everyone else involved for their amazing work. Once the trees have time to grow and the plants grow in it'll look even better. I think the placement of the exhibit is great, surrounded by forest on all sides so it all just sort of blends in.

The behavioural research station is visible right next to the main viewing window as you exit the pavilion - happy to see this level of transparency and access to otherwise behind-the-scenes work. There is a large screen that rotates with the names and descriptions of the orangs. Another screen shows a video of the construction of the exhibit. There is a playground with the same fake trees as the ones in the exhibit, with some rope as well. The raised viewing deck is supposed to be accessible to guests but they have removed the staircase leading up because it was too steep.

I'm a little confused by the mister. Looks like a shower head more than a water gun. Although I think I would much prefer getting a light mist than being sprayed with a hose, so no real complaints there. Interested to see it in action and whether we'll have usual suspects of orangs that use it.

The towers are separated by hot wire, so the three towers at the back of the exhibit are all traversable, but the orangs will only be able to reach the first platform of the tower in the front of the exhibit; the second platform is connected to a separate network of ropes and towers. The towers in front of the pavilion are a third network, so this would constitute three separate spaces for the orangs to use, allowing four groups to be out simultaneously.

The zoo will begin introducing the orangs to the new exhibit over the next two weeks, giving them time to adjust to just seeing it before letting them outside. However it will likely take until the end of the summer before they are regularly using the space. Introductions will be to the main exhibit first, and once they're accustomed to using the towers inside, they'll be introduced to the other tower spaces. Puppe has already been outside (though, not for anyone to see), which I'm thrilled to hear.

Three cameras are in place around the exhibit. I'm guessing the orangs will be viewable from zoolife or directly from the website, so it may be a good tool to see when the orangs are out, and when to plan a quick trip to see them.

My one big complaint is there's a lack of any seating space, even though all the walkways are certainly wide enough to accommodate them. Putting in benches though would just be a day's worth of work, so I'm sure they'll have them in time. The rails over the exhibit also seem like a hazard for things dropping in.

But otherwise I can't wait for the orangs to start using the exhibit! What exciting times we live in
 
I should clarify that the tower *platforms* are separated by hotwire, so that the closest tower to the front of the exhibit actually comprises two separate spaces (top platform/bottom platform) that may be used by two groups of orangutans at the same time.
 
Having just got back myself, I can echo Kalvin when I say the exhibit is jaw-droppingly good. Like, easy contender for best exhibit in the zoo level of good, and I'm saying that without having even seen an orang in it yet. Huge congratulations to the entire Toronto Zoo team for this achievement, and I can definitely see how it'll only get better with age as the orangs get out there and the plants grow.

First off, as someone who saw the old gaur exhibit this replaced probably a couple hundred times, it's amazing how little I recognized it. The only thing that kind of resembles the gaur exhibit is that it's roughly the same shape as well as the forest backdrop. This might be the biggest single exhibit glow-up in the zoo's history.

The exhibit is easily up there as one of the most natural-looking in the zoo. Having the Rouge forest as a backdrop definitely helps (I can't wait to see how this exhibit looks in Fall colours), but I'm happy to report that there was none of that classic TZ gray concrete in sight. I did notice some steel walls here and there, but they're coloured to blend in with the background and are very easily ignored.

Visibility is an easy 10/10. There are four main viewing spots, two with glass, two without, and I came away feeling like I got a great view of everything. The exhibit's big but not too big, there's plenty of room for the orangs to roam while still making it easy for guests to see them at all times. I especially liked the raised treehouse-looking platform on the far part of the exhibit, I can see myself hanging out there quite a bit. I definitely agree that a lack of benches or even fake rocks to sit on feels like an oversight, I have a feeling that benches will be added before long though.

If I were to compare this exhibit's overall vibe to another TZ exhibit I'd say it reminded me most of the giant pandas when they were here, and I mean that as a compliment. There's a lot of signs everywhere about orang conservation as well as profiles on the TZ's orang gang, and I do really enjoy that the behavioural research station is part of the exhibit, not something hidden away behind the scenes.

The interactive stuff feels a bit unnecessary but still very fun. The water sprayer resembles a hose more than a Super Soaker, and I have a feeling like it'll probably be a light mist rather than a blast of water. I'd say this is for the best, as I don't think I'd be too thrilled if I had to go home and change clothes mid-visit because I stood in the wrong spot and Budi decided to be funny. As for the kid playground, I'm a little too big for it (okay, a lot too big) but the kids that were visiting at the same time as me looked like they were having a blast climbing on the ropes. Huge props to whoever decided to design it to look the same as the climbing structures in the exhibit itself, that's a really neat idea.

The towers are cool, I didn't 100% understand exactly how they worked and how they connected to each other without seeing the orangs using them but I'm looking forward to seeing them in action.

It definitely does feel like we're more in the beta testing stage of the exhibit rather than the grand opening since the orangs will probably be in the exhibit sporadically this year (at the moment there's a horde of orang plushies in there so there's still something to see) but even then the exhibit is gorgeous enough that I don't mind. It was worth the long wait, because this exhibit alone is heads and tails above pretty much everything else the zoo's in the last 20 years, and it truly feels like a modern spot in a zoo that too often calls back to it's 70s roots. I'm so glad that after so many years of being stuck in the cramped indoor exhibit the orangs finally have a spot worthy of them.
 
@Kalvin @hyena142

Thanks both! Really interesting to read about. I don't fully understand how the towers are designed to work - but will have to keep an eye out on my next visit with that in mind. It is exciting they can have more of the orangutans out in the exhibit at the same time in distinct spaces, as I have been wondering about that.
 
Excellent reports on the exhibit. Glad to hear it did not fail to impress... well other than the lack of orangs being out there. However I think we all get that you have to move at the orangs pace and Puppe is the only one who had ever been outside, and even then that was more than 49 years ago. Totally understandable that it will take time to convince them to come out but thrilled to hear Puppe has been out. I have been afraid for years she might not live long enough given her age to see it. Just wonderful she has been out and I hope she can enjoy as many days outside as possible before her day comes.
 
The new exhibit looks really cool
Still incomplete when I went today (when steps / ladder (?) complete the viewing observation tower is quite high)

There are also some opportunities for mischief (the water sprayer which was mentioned above) and there are some areas on ropes where there could be interaction

Right now exhibit is filled with stuffed Orangs to simulate what could happen once the real live ones are introduced to the new space
 
Starting today until further notice the outdoor orangutan exhibit will be closed until 1pm daily as the keepers will be using the morning to test the orangs out in the exhibit
 
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