Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Future Developments 2013

When I saw the 4 orangs I assumed at first it was Ramai, Sekali and the kids but having seen them 2 weeks ago up close and with each other they didnt seem very different in size. The size difference today was very noticable. But maybe I was wrong 2 weeks ago and it was Budi and Kembali out with their mothers then. Is Jingga significantly smaller than both boys? And thats great that they are starting seperation for all 3 particularly the boys who will be starting puberty soon and should probably be moved within the next year or two to a new zoo where they can one day breed. I wonder if Jingga will stay on to replace Puppe as a future breeder since Puppe is getting on in years and Budi could very well be her last.
 
Just so we're clear, when I say separation... I don't mean permanent, weaning type separation. Separation as in being apart from the mothers to interact and then going right back. I have no idea regarding future plans with the orangutans.
 
Oh I knew what you meant. Seperation is a very slow process especially with animals like apes who have such strong family bonds. Having the kids together alone for even short periods of time is a good first step towards their eventual independance. Given the kids ages they need to start spending time away from their moms like they would do in the wild. Its a good move for everyone. I know theres no immediate plans for them. But they are now at the age where decisions will need to be made within the next couple of years and they need to slowly be made ready for that day so that it wont cause as much emotional damage to such sensitive creatures.

Zoogoer do you know anything about plans to breed Ngozi and Charles in the near future?
 
No idea on that either, although I wouldn't be overly surprised if Ngozi and Charles do receive another breeding recommendation eventually (granted that Charles is still in good shape).
 
I also haven't seen the male babirusa on my past two visits. I hope he is ok.
If the babirusas were in the indoor and outdoor exhibits, where was the tapir?
 
Id think any recommendation to breed would come sooner rathern than later given Charles age and wild heritage. Hes rather valuable and his next baby could and likely would be his last. Id also think they would like to ensure the baby would be as old as possible when Charles goes so a new breeding male can be safely brought in and integrated with the whole troop. Right now Nassir is also at the sameage where wild gorillas usually have to adjust to a new baby.

Vishnu was outside wallowing. Asha was in the back pen, according to the keepers. Tanuck was in the right indoor exhibit while Olive or Muna was in the left. In the left outdoor pen was the other female babirusa. Had I known this before I made the kids talk to the keeper I would have asked if Muna was beginning seperation from Olive and if that meant she would be transfered soon and breeding would begin again for Olive and Bucky. I didnt see Bucky but he could be in a back pen or if theres not space with Muna being spereated from Olive at the health center or some other building.
 
I was talking to some of the other kids who went on the trip last Friday with me and they say their were young capybara, based on their demonstration of size, babies. Not last years batch which would be grown or nearly grown by now. Has someone else seen them? If there are babies I could kick myself for not dragging my batch of small people down there, especially since I struck out on almost all other babies.
 
TZFan said:
I was talking to some of the other kids who went on the trip last Friday with me and they say their were young capybara, based on their demonstration of size, babies. Not last years batch which would be grown or nearly grown by now. Has someone else seen them? If there are babies I could kick myself for not dragging my batch of small people down there, especially since I struck out on almost all other babies.
Click to expand...

There are 2 baby capybara. I reported them on page 9 of the births, deaths, etc. thread (and you responded).
 
Well I thought there was some confusion as to whether they were new or last years. I could be mistaken. I knew there was a chance they were little but in 4 1/2 hours I had to prioritize the kids desires. Maybe I'll get lucky enough to go again this year and can see them then. Of course those elusive lemur babies will be my top priority now that Ive seen a panda move.
 
With a Board of Management meeting this week, the Zoo has provided a document with updates on various projects happening around the zoo (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-59872.pdf). Items of interest:

-The projected opening for the rest of Eurasia is spring 2014. The snow leopard/bird holding building is almost complete and there will be some sort of entrance/gateway/sign into the area

- Design work has been completed for future renovations to the Elephant house to accommodate giraffes. Work with start once the elephants are moved.

- A new hoofstock building will be constructed where the giraffe house is and demolition is tentatively planned for summer 2014.

- The tank and filter system for the Giant Salamander Exhibit is on order

- Design development is in process for a refurbished crocodile lizard/newt exhibit (maybe people will be able to actually see into it)
 
Good to hear they are already planning for future exhibits. I'd love to see the plans for the giraffes and hoofstock buildings and exhibits. I'd love to see the elephants just go so we can move forward with new plans. I'd miss them but they are now just a distraction and sore spot for the zoo. Hopefully PAWS and zoocheck will get their act together and we can move forward to hopefully an incredible giraffe exhibit and some new hoofstock. I read the document but does anyone know what they might get as the new hoofstock? Personally Id like bongos or Okapi (i know the reality on that option). Anything else would be ok. An addition is an addition.
 
Oh Im also excited to hear the snow leopard and sea eagle building is almost done. Hopefully they will get it done soon and the animals can have the fall and winter to get used to their new home before being bothered by all of us. I can hardly wait to see them and the red pandas again. I've always loved snow leopards and red pandas and Im very interested to see the sea eagles.
 
adams7 said:
With a Board of Management meeting this week, the Zoo has provided a document with updates on various projects happening around the zoo (http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-59872.pdf). Items of interest:

-The projected opening for the rest of Eurasia is spring 2014. The snow leopard/bird holding building is almost complete and there will be some sort of entrance/gateway/sign into the area

- Design work has been completed for future renovations to the Elephant house to accommodate giraffes. Work with start once the elephants are moved.

- A new hoofstock building will be constructed where the giraffe house is and demolition is tentatively planned for summer 2014.

- The tank and filter system for the Giant Salamander Exhibit is on order

- Design development is in process for a refurbished crocodile lizard/newt exhibit (maybe people will be able to actually see into it)
Click to expand...

This document was very interesting to read. In addition to what you said, here are some other things I noticed:

- It has been confirmed that Amur tigers will be replacing the pandas after 5 years. I know some of us were wondering about this.

- The document mentions something called moat crossing-spider monkeys. Does anyone know what this means?

- Does anyone else find it odd that it talks about renovating the crocodile lizard/newt exhibit, but not any of the other exhibits that are being renovated like the Americas tanks and Lake Malawi aquarium?
 
I was just reading descriptions of the giant panda exhibit and it mentioned misting systems in the enclosures, yet there are none, judging from the photos posted. Why's that? Low on funds??
 
The zoo is once again promoting their keeper for a day program for people 14 years and older. Im not sure where I'd want to spend my day most. I like the African pavilion. It'd be cool to be close to the meerkats, lemurs, pygmy hippos and red river hogs... cant go near primates boo but I understand we could get them sick. The african savannah would be cool too. I'd like all of the animals there. Again no primates. I've been in back of the Australiasian pavilion when I was a kid and loved that so I wouldnt mind doing that again. I love kangaroos. Indo Malaya would be a harder choice. I love the primates most of all in that section. I do like the tigers and rhinos though. But then theres the Tundra/Americas choice. It'd be cool to be close to the polar bears, capybara and jaguars... but the Americas pavilion holds little interest for me. Id have to say it falls a distant fifth. I have no interest in the discovery zone/outreach/shows choice. If Im going to shell out $300 I want to spend it with the animals I find the coolest. Might have to seriously consider this for a special treat for myself next summer... oh wonder if a Eurasian Wilds will be an option then... pandas, snow leopards and red pandas would be very interesting... I'd probably go with one of the African choices...

Heres the info for anyone else interested.

Toronto Zoo | The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)
 
When would a realistic timeframe be for the start of the Canadian Wilderness construction be ? I'm wondering this because that side of Eurasia will look so dull and outdated in comparison to the new Eurasia once it's finished. It will also be quite empty since there is only really a couple of exhibits on that side of Eurasia, and the only public access is via the zoomobile. It would be such a shame to leave it like that for too long. Lets hope the zoo does not wait too long after Eurasia is complete, as it would be nice to have 2 new areas side-by-side. Then again, I guess it all comes down to the big issue of money
 
Visited the zoo yesterday, here is some updates;
-The Amazon Fishes Tank is still under construction
-However one of the new tanks is flooded with red light, any one know why?
-Prehensile-tailed Porcupines have been moved to the exit outdoor enclosure to the Americas Pavilion
-There are some Jumbo Gourami in the Orangutan moat
-And there is a soft shelled turtle in the Gibbon moat as well
-The African Cichlids Tank appears to be going through some serious reno, appears like there is new rockwork in the back of thier tank as well as a load of scaffolding
-The new lemur babies are a hoot and a half, tonnes of energy, lots of laughs
-Overall not really impressed with the Giant Panda Enclosure, with all the hype and money that went into it, the main enclosure is pretty much the same to the old one, though the new rock work is nice and all, but I would of like to see some more changes
-Had a great visit overall, great weather
 
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