Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Future Developments 2012

Hahah you're torturing me! Though I did have a dream during a nap there were Capercaillie and I had to keep telling people they were not turkeys :D
 
Bit of both, I'd say. Politicians should really stay out of the animal field unless they are actually helping them. It just makes my head spin though that they are OK with some roadside zoos having AZA accreditation.
 
I really have no sense of what it means to lose AZA accreditation. In my humble opinion, city council ought to have listened to the keepers and as you all know I don't think the zoo should be in the hands of politicians. So on the one hand I hope for the sake of the zoo, the keepers and the animals that the loss of the accreditation has no practical consequence. But on the other hand if something bad has to happen in order to take the zoo out of the hands of politicians, or to force the politicians to learn to listen to the keepers then maybe that's what is needed.
 
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I really feel bad for all of you up there in toronto:( im sry where are all those poor animals going to go now leaving the beautiful and careful homes at the toronto zoo?:confused: and what animals are going to stay at the zoo? I hope this incident doesnt become a problem for all zoos in the world in the future. stupid AZA:p
 
I am certain the zoo will get its accreditation back but in the meantime breeding of the green list animals will probably be paused. I'm especially eager to see the snow leopards in a new enclosure too!
 
I agree with Meaghan here, it is most certain the zoo will get its accreditation back.
 
Was at the zoo last weekend, here are the development updates:

-- America's pavilion bug wing half done. Green Bottle Blue tarantula, Black Widow, Peruvian Fire Stick Bug, and Vingaroon are along the long wall across from the Alligators with new exhibits. Giant Centipede is now in the old Vingaroon exhibit. South American Bird Eating Spider's exhibit is completely new. It is more vertical now and larger.
--Yellow Spotted Amazon Turtle now sharing turtle exhibit with Mata Mata`s and Spiny Softshell Turtle
--Many exhibits being redone including Boa Constrictor, Rattlesnake, Emerald Tree Boa and Painted Turtle
--Eurasia`s closing includes the Kangaroo Walkabout, but you can still view it from the fence
--Unidentified bird in with the Green Winged Doves in Australasia. The bird is medium sized, brown to grey, with a crest (not a Kookaburra)
--Blue Faced Honeyeaters are squeezing underneath the door from the aviary and joining the Tree Kangaroo in their exhibit
 
Bob Barker will fund the move to PAWS. He just won`t tolerate the use of his money for stalling the move indefinately and using it for something else, which is totally understandable. What infuriates me is the refusal of the zoo staff to do what their boss and employer, the city of Toronto, ordered them to do, which is getting the elephants ready for their move to PAWS. This needs to have serious consequences, like firing zoo staff if this doesn`t change VERY SOON.

And yes, I am aware of the so-called TB problem at PAWS. I think this is totally blown out of propotion and I will write something about this when I have some time time the next days.
 
The keepers aren't stalling anything, contrary to what the activists are saying. A "little TB" is still TB. I am not a keeper (as many ike to think and I'm flattered; I'd rather be accused of working at a place known for it's conservation work than being one with PeTA) but I am among many concerned citizens who want them to go somewhere where this utmost transparency. PAWS has been asked to deliver vet records and they still haven't sten them.

I am one of those who is presenting facts, and of course the ARists are blowing it out of proportion with saying the zoo staff are "attacking", even if they are the ones hurling insults :rolleyes:

From a keeper:

I woke up this morning, a slight pain in my lower back, both my knees aching, my wrists sore, all there to remind me of what I have chosen to devote my life to doing… and that is ensuring that the elephants I work with are given the highest quality of life that I am capable of providing them with. I go into work everyday and look at the exhausted faces of my friends and coworkers knowing that they had the same sleepless night as I did… again, to utilize every minute of the day (willingly or not) to try and think of something that we can do to ensure that a terrible mistake is not made. One that we are all terrified could put these three amazing animals, Toka, Thika and Iringa in harms way.

But we do this with pride, despite the fact that online there are those who can’t wait to take their next shot at us and explain to the public their newest conspiracy theory on why the Toronto Zoo elephant keepers are fighting the fight we are. Some of these people KNOW that they are lying when they post these statements, and others have just been caught up in these lies. In this fight we are completely outgunned. They have money, connections, and friends in high places. All we have is our devotion to these animals and the truth.

There are two reasons we continue to fight. The first is an admittedly sometimes wavering but never undying belief that the truth and facts will win out over the lies of select government officials, “sanctuary” (a term I use loosely, “sanatorium” would be far more accurate) owners who are manipulating this situation as best they can to ensure their next $880,000 donation is right around the corner, and the animal rights activists that for some reason can’t see that the keepers are not the ones who stand to gain by spreading falsehoods.

These people accuse us of sabotage, abuse and only being in this to protect our jobs. I can assure you that we have never done anything to hurt these elephants or sabotage their training. I can also assure you that we do this despite threats of disciplinary recourse rather than promises of job security and I would gladly give up my job and find a new career to if it would ensure that these elephants get to spend the remainder of their lives in the best place possible, one chosen by the experts that know them and their needs best. The second reason is the elephants. While most people are still in bed we keepers are with the elephants giving them their breakfast. When people are settling in for the evening we are with the elephants. While people are enjoying their weekends and holidays we are with the elephants. When you watch your family opening their gifts on Christmas morning we are with the elephants doing everything in our power to ensure that all their physical and emotional needs are being met as best we can. I spend more time with these three elephants than I do with my own family because in many ways these animals are my family. That is my motivation.

They are amazing animals that I have been fortunate enough to work with. Iringa is incredibly smart, and has an unwavering faith in us. That faith is a testament to this elephant program that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of. Toka’s enthusiasm is enough to snap any person out of a bad mood, she is eager to please and an amazing elephant to work with. Thika… well, Thika is a brat… and is the favourite of many keepers because of this.

I am not going to get into all of the reasons that we feel there is a better option than PAWS because these reasons have been made available online for anyone who wants to look, but I will state one -it is hard to place any faith in an organization that openly lies about the elephants it houses. Only after vigilant people found proof that PAWS was treating elephants for TB did PAWS go public about the issue stating that they had two elephants that had tested positive for the deadly airborne disease. They continued to say however (and I am admittedly paraphrasing) that just because their elephants tested positive and they are treating them for TB doesn’t mean they have TB and that things are safe. This argument would not hold up in any courtroom. They then insulted zoo officials for trying to find this information (that they admit to hiding in the same article) by accusing them of being on a “witch hunt.” They also tried to invalidate the test. They claimed it couldn’t be trusted and the only real way to know was with a trunk wash, despite the fact that they had flown out to the Toronto Zoo a month earlier insisting that our elephants get the very same blood test they now claim is useless. They insisted upon this because of the fact that our elephants had ONLY been tested by a trunk wash which could not be trusted. These contradictions do not inspire confidence. If you say the test means nothing why do it in the first place?

If we keepers were shown the medical records from PAWS perhaps we could sleep a little easier, but they refuse, so rather than sleeping easier we are more restless, increasingly concerned about what else they could possibly need to hide if they have already openly stated that their elephants have tested positive for Tuberculosis.

Select Toronto City councillors are planning another visit to PAWS to evaluate the facility, again, without any of the Toronto Zoo keeping staff or veterinarians. Perhaps on the way they can also do the safety check for the plane they will fly in without the help of any engineers or airport staff because they are equally unqualified to perform that task, and about as unlikely to spot any errors. Some things call for a trained and educated eye.

In many ways I am broken from this experience, but I owe it to these elephants to continue this fight. People are welcome to continue to lie about my coworkers and I, we’ve gotten used to it. We live in a society where those with the loudest voices are not always those with the right answers. I ask anyone who reads about this issue to keep that in mind. Look at the facts, they speak for themselves. Their story does not add up. I write this for the elephants. People can sit at their computers and post their opinions all they like, but I deeply care about these animals and the ultimate proof is that I go in everyday and do everything I can to do right by them. To me they are not names and pictures on a computer screen, “city property”, or my ticket to another donation from a retired celebrity. They are living, breathing creatures that are relying on my coworkers and I to ensure they are safe and taken care of. That is my job and that is what I am doing now. Please prove to me that common sense and logic will win out in this battle. Help us do what is right for Toka, Thika and Iringa.

On an end note, I would like to sincerely thank the many people (locally and internationally) whose unwavering dedication to ensuring that the elephants have a happy and healthy future has been nothing short of inspirational. You have never given up and neither will we.
 
There was a study done in Sweden that pointed to the contrary. 500+ trunk washes showed up negative on TB positive elephants.

Here is the latest, from the zoo CEO. I think this is most responsible. A responsible animal shelter or child adoption charity will not let a child or animal be adopted without the interested party being throughly scrutinized.

Elephant Relocation to Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Site Due Diligence Update

TORONTO, April 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Toronto Zoo issued an update regarding the move of the elephants, Iringa, Toka, and Thika, to the PAWS Sanctuary in northern California. Currently, the Toronto Zoo is trying to fulfill the due diligence reporting requirements that are needed to ensure the successful and safe relocation of the elephants to their new facilities. An agreement has been signed between PAWS and the Toronto Zoo specifying information to be exchanged between the parties. However, this process has reached an impasse due to the inability of the PAWS facility to provide medical records for its elephants. Without this information, Zoo Management is unable to fulfill its due diligence obligations.

"Obviously, we are disappointed that the health information that we require is not being made available," said John Tracogna, CEO, Toronto Zoo. "We remain steadfast in our repeated requests for the medical records. It is entirely irresponsible to move members of our family to another home without proof of operations and medical history."

The discussions, until this past Friday, April 27th, have been entirely between the parties and the Toronto Zoo now feels compelled to respond to spurious allegations made by ill-intentioned sources.

"We acknowledge that the PAWS facility has many redeeming qualities and we are fully prepared to move the elephants under conditions that ensure the health of the elephants involved. However, our respect for the due diligence process - one that is legally defined for all parties, requires that we act in specific ways. As directed by Toronto City Council, the Toronto Zoo must ensure that the transfer of the elephants is completed in accordance with all applicable legislation and the standards of our profession," said John Tracogna.

About the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier zoo and a leader in animal preservation and environmental protection. More than a tourist attraction, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping animals and their natural habitats - from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational center for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day except Christmas, and attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors each year. Toronto Zoo | Canada's premier Zoo
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Toronto Zoo | Elephant Relocation to Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Site Due Diligence Update

Michelle, the definition of insubordination: :rolleyes:

Insubordination is the act of willfully disobeying an authority. Refusing to perform an action that is unethical or illegal is not insubordination; neither is refusing to perform an action that is not within the scope of authority of the person issuing the order.

Not wanting an animal to go somewhere where the vet records still haven't been sent, is not insubordination. Lying to your peers to the zoo and on council, Michelle, is.
 
Just wanted to put it out there, if you are on twitter follow @zootoronto its a fan based twitter account but is constantly updating with cool facts and stuff, hopefully it goes viral as its slowly taking shape...
 
the TB is not blown out of proportion and the one of the lead criteria last year when the decision was being made about where to send the elephants was that no facility with TB would be chosen, paws withheld information about TB at their sanctuary so the deal was made on false pretences. There is a mountain of factual evidence to support the zoo current position on this. Hundreds and hundreds of hours of research done, not by insubordinate staff but by citizens. It was citizens who brought this to the attention of council and the zoo. Council members didnt even care if the sanctuary had TB so they didnt investigate it or ask to include stipulations regarding TB medical documents in the deal. It amazes me how many people simply chose to ignore the facts about this just because they really like PAWS. There is nothing wrong with the National Elephant Centre and if you are a fan of the Toronto Zoo you should be supporting their bold move to protect these elephants from TB. I have literally 150 pages of documents and research to support my personal stance and claims.
 
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