Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Discussion thread 2024

Nile Hippo Expert said:
I have a question, are there any remaining animals who have been at the zoo since day 1 in August 1974? I thought Charles the gorilla might have been the last when he died in October, but I want to know if there are any other original animals still there.
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Last original to opening day is Puppe the Orangutan I believe she's the oldest Sumatran in North America if not the oldest Orangutan in NA.
As for just older animals we have Pinky, Brain, and, Phoebe, 47 year old American Flamingos who have been here since 1977. As well as Jonah, 51 Great Concave Casqued Hornbill not sure when he arrived but he's been here quite awhile. Not sure the age of the Aldabra Tortoises Queenie and Malila but they arrived in 1975 before leaving briefly in 1999 and returning in 2016. I think those are all the oldest animals from a human standpoint rather than just life span of individual species.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
I have a question, are there any remaining animals who have been at the zoo since day 1 in August 1974? I thought Charles the gorilla might have been the last when he died in October, but I want to know if there are any other original animals still there.
Click to expand...

Gorilla, Charles was not in fact an opening day animal. He arrived in September 1974, thus making him an opening year animal. Orangutan, Puppe, is the last opening day animal and has been so since I think the death of West African dwarf croc, Monty, time I think around 2021? Before that I think was a ball python, nicobar pigeon and gorilla Samantha.

If we look at animals who were opening day but aren't still at the zoo the only one I know of is elephant Toka. Other than that I think that's it. The original 7 gorilla infants are all gone. The original orangs all gone but Puppe. The elephants just Toka and Thika are alive still. There could be some long lived birds or reptiles but I would not be shocked if its just down to Puppe and Toka.

Opening year animals. I think a pretty accurate inventory has been given by @kingoffreaks. The gators might be older Im not sure. The painted terrapins are likely fairly old they were wild captures in 1989. I dont know if they were hatchlings or adults at the time.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
I have a question, are there any remaining animals who have been at the zoo since day 1 in August 1974? I thought Charles the gorilla might have been the last when he died in October, but I want to know if there are any other original animals still there.
Click to expand...
I'm going with the Aldabra Giant Tortoises seeing as they have a long lifespan and I use to ride them when I was just a small boy at the Riverdale Zoo in the 1960's.
 
I love this, also how sweet that they named the penguin after our Flap.

These are honestly some of the coolest stories that come out of zoos and their collaborations.
 
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