Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Future Developments 2014
- Thread starter TZFan
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Mr. Hudson while far away in Winnipeg is having a blast with his new best buddy Storm.
Boys Will Be Boys: Hudson and Storm Play in the Snow - YouTube
Boys Will Be Boys: Hudson and Storm Play in the Snow - YouTube
The zoo is celebrating its polar bears this weekend with Polar Bear Fest. All kinds of polar bear related activities located around the caribou cafe and of course our favourite baby bears first weekend out greeting his fans.
Toronto Zoo | Special Events
Toronto Zoo | Special Events
A fire has broken out at the zoo in some storage buildings not near guests or the animals... sounds like in the Canadian Domain based on the small description. They are hoping to let it just burn itself out but firefighters are on scene.
No animals or humans hurt in one-alarm fire on Toronto Zoo grounds | CTV Toronto News
No animals or humans hurt in one-alarm fire on Toronto Zoo grounds | CTV Toronto News
The fire is now out and luckily it was an abandoned storage building so the zoo really didnt lose anything of value. They had to bring in snow ploughs just to get the engines to the fire. A cause hasnt been determined yet.
No humans, animals hurt in Toronto Zoo blaze | CP24.com
No humans, animals hurt in Toronto Zoo blaze | CP24.com
The building shown in the overhead image on this article is of a house on Kirkhams Rd (can be seen on Google maps). The snow-covered road going to the left leads down into the valley. If the fire department was using this road to get to the burning structure (and not roads from the Domain or the off-exhibit holding), I would guess the structure is an old holding building for animals that used to live in the valley and were visible while on the monorail. I find it a little suspicious that a building in the valley would spontaneously catch on fire in the middle of winter when there's no electricity to it.
Oh I thought it sounded very fishy the moment they said it was one being used. I just didnt want to say it myself. However considering the deepness of the snow wouldnt they see tracks and therefore know something wasnt right? I will be interested to find out what happened.
The zoo has put out a proposal request for a consultant to help them craft a new strategic development plan for the next 5 years as this year the old one will be complete. We could have a lot to discuss in the coming year if parts of it are slowly publicized or mentioned in board meetings.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/RFP 03.2014.01- STRATEGIC PLAN CONSULTANT.pdf
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/RFP 03.2014.01- STRATEGIC PLAN CONSULTANT.pdf
Ya theres nothing really revealing in it. No mention of whats been accomplished in the last 5 years and nothing about what they would like to do in the next 5 years. No mention of animals or exhibits. It really just mentions that they were rejected for independence, they need to explore partnerships with the province and feds. Nothing we havent heard before. But that funding is needed for what? They would have to know so they can work to secure those funds and tell the zoo what can reasonably be done.
Interesting thing I found was that to run the zoo it costs $11.5 million and $6 million used to for capital projects (if Ive remembered the numbers correctly). Oh to be a billionaire because the zoo would be affordable with that much money and I would be all over buying it if only to get it away from the city and then offer it financial support until turning it over to an independent zoological society. I kind of thought the numbers would be higher. Unless I miss read something and thats what they need.
I did go through the planned topics for the next board meeting (Feb 24) and nothing big popped out. Reports on attendance (its up over 2012 but lower than expected due to the late arrival of the pandas and the severe weather in the summer). They are slightly behind pace with this year because Jan and Feb have had so many super cold days but they expect baby bear to really drive up attendance going forward into the spring. No biggy though because Jan only accounts for just over 1 % of attendance. There was a report on getting schools to come more because they are 10% of all attendance and the numbers there are dropping by up to 10% a year. No real concrete answers to that were given. THere was another report on education... zzzz.... A report on safety but not the fun look how stupid people are examples in that part... hopefully the full report will come out after the meeting and we can again laugh at the ****** who hurt themselves. There was a safety report on workers. Nothing huge in there other then a new venomous snake handling policy is in place after the massassauga bite last summer and the worker in question has been trained in it. Oh and theres some BS about the new advisory panel the city forced on the zoo that includes zoo haters but its just very vague rules to help set up the panel. THats it I think.
Interesting thing I found was that to run the zoo it costs $11.5 million and $6 million used to for capital projects (if Ive remembered the numbers correctly). Oh to be a billionaire because the zoo would be affordable with that much money and I would be all over buying it if only to get it away from the city and then offer it financial support until turning it over to an independent zoological society. I kind of thought the numbers would be higher. Unless I miss read something and thats what they need.
I did go through the planned topics for the next board meeting (Feb 24) and nothing big popped out. Reports on attendance (its up over 2012 but lower than expected due to the late arrival of the pandas and the severe weather in the summer). They are slightly behind pace with this year because Jan and Feb have had so many super cold days but they expect baby bear to really drive up attendance going forward into the spring. No biggy though because Jan only accounts for just over 1 % of attendance. There was a report on getting schools to come more because they are 10% of all attendance and the numbers there are dropping by up to 10% a year. No real concrete answers to that were given. THere was another report on education... zzzz.... A report on safety but not the fun look how stupid people are examples in that part... hopefully the full report will come out after the meeting and we can again laugh at the ****** who hurt themselves. There was a safety report on workers. Nothing huge in there other then a new venomous snake handling policy is in place after the massassauga bite last summer and the worker in question has been trained in it. Oh and theres some BS about the new advisory panel the city forced on the zoo that includes zoo haters but its just very vague rules to help set up the panel. THats it I think.
Heres a budget plan for the next 10 years. Honestly I got bored half way though and then skimmed so I probably missed some gems.
Hightlights
The new hoofstock barn (giraffes area) is expected to be complete by years end. Which must mean Twiga and Mstari are on the move by sometime in the summer. And it must mean the species has been selected or at least size of animal because designs should be completed with some clue what is going in and what its needs are. Right?
Euraisa constuction will be done by the end of March. I assume that doesnt include plantings because how can you do that in the winter.
Like I said I skimmed so there is probably other gems but I dont have the patience needed to sort through all of it.
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-65963.pdf
Hightlights
The new hoofstock barn (giraffes area) is expected to be complete by years end. Which must mean Twiga and Mstari are on the move by sometime in the summer. And it must mean the species has been selected or at least size of animal because designs should be completed with some clue what is going in and what its needs are. Right?
Euraisa constuction will be done by the end of March. I assume that doesnt include plantings because how can you do that in the winter.
Like I said I skimmed so there is probably other gems but I dont have the patience needed to sort through all of it.
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-65963.pdf
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
I also skimmed through the document. Another interesting thing that I found was that the orangutan renovation will not happen until at least 2018. Also a renovation of the entry bald eagle exhibit should happen sometime soon, but I don't know if they're renovating it for the eagle or for another species.
Lol by the time we all skim it and find our interesting tibits we will learn lots of things.
Im not surprised about the Orangs delay. First off the guars havent been moved so that means they cant do anything. Cant build an exhibit in a space occupied by another animal... especially one as big as a guar. Secondly the outside exhibit is supposed to be funded by outside sources so it will be delayed until the money is there to do the work. And if your going to renovate that area you would want to do the whole pavilion all at once because Im thinking to get the orangs the space they need inside it will require major renos to the pavilion. I could see the the place essentially being gutted and getting rid of species.
Considering how small the aviary is I would like to see some other animal in it. A bald eagle is just too big. Im sure shes a non flyer but she deserves more space to hop around and climb. There has to be an exhibit around somewhere she could go and have more space. I dont know what else would go better in there. But odds are they are just freshining things up. It is a rather dark exhibit and I've been by it several times with kids on field trips and they tend never to notice her.
Oh a big thing I forgot at the beginning is that they would like back into the AZA and the majority of the projects to be conducted are to address prior concerns. Unfortunately they can improve the zoo as much as they want, spend billions, create state of the art facilities on the cutting edge, but that wont address the concern that got them kicked out of the AZA... city council and their control over the animals.
Im not surprised about the Orangs delay. First off the guars havent been moved so that means they cant do anything. Cant build an exhibit in a space occupied by another animal... especially one as big as a guar. Secondly the outside exhibit is supposed to be funded by outside sources so it will be delayed until the money is there to do the work. And if your going to renovate that area you would want to do the whole pavilion all at once because Im thinking to get the orangs the space they need inside it will require major renos to the pavilion. I could see the the place essentially being gutted and getting rid of species.
Considering how small the aviary is I would like to see some other animal in it. A bald eagle is just too big. Im sure shes a non flyer but she deserves more space to hop around and climb. There has to be an exhibit around somewhere she could go and have more space. I dont know what else would go better in there. But odds are they are just freshining things up. It is a rather dark exhibit and I've been by it several times with kids on field trips and they tend never to notice her.
Oh a big thing I forgot at the beginning is that they would like back into the AZA and the majority of the projects to be conducted are to address prior concerns. Unfortunately they can improve the zoo as much as they want, spend billions, create state of the art facilities on the cutting edge, but that wont address the concern that got them kicked out of the AZA... city council and their control over the animals.
The zoo is looking for exhibit design technician assistants. They are to be working on exhibit elements for twenty weeks. That would take the job until roughly July depending on when they start work. They are to be working on artifical trees, rocks, murals and exhibit features. Any bets this is for the giraffes? If its to be done by Julyish thats too late for any final touches on Eurasian Wilds exhibits. And I cant think of any other exhibit due for renos that would involve fake trees and rocks. Plus add in the fact that the zoo expects to knock down and rebuild the new hoofstock barn by the end of the year that must mean the giraffes need to be gone from the area sometime over the summer. Interesting to note what could be in their new indoor exhibit.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/jb/Exhibit Design Technician Assistant_1.pdf
I checked on the board meeting and nothing new was added. They just recieved most of the reports. THe next meeting will be March 27th. Maybe they will be discussing the consultants for the master plan by then as all bids are in and final.
http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/jb/Exhibit Design Technician Assistant_1.pdf
I checked on the board meeting and nothing new was added. They just recieved most of the reports. THe next meeting will be March 27th. Maybe they will be discussing the consultants for the master plan by then as all bids are in and final.
From what I've heard, the new health centre is essentially being built in the same footprint as the current one, plus an addition that takes over a grassy area/staff path (see attached picture). The quarantine building was built recently and won't be touched. I'm not sure where the public viewing area will be or what area will be viewable, but knowing the Zoo and the fact that to get to health centre, you need to walk on a service road and through a parking lot for large machinery, I doubt this will be open to the general public on a daily basis.
Attachments
There is an interesting update from the Board of Management meeting that was held yesterday regarding the Animal Welfare Advisory Panel that city council told the Zoo they had to set-up with representatives from animal rights groups (governance meeting from October 2013).
Agenda Item History - 2014.ZB27.3
The Zoo put forth the terms of reference for the panel for the Board to approve and I'm glad to see that the Board decided to use some common sense in coming up with the decision below:
Conclude that the establishment of the Animal Care Standards Advisory Panel, as proposed by City Council, is not necessary for the following reasons:
The Toronto Zoo
- Is currently accredited by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), a professional association, and by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), as recently as June 2013; both are independent external oversight bodies;
- Is licensed to operate by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMFRA), a provincial agency;
- As a matter of practice with its professional staff including expert animal care staff and veterinarians, operates a first class zoological institution for the betterment of animals and wild populations;
- Is a valued educational resource to the City of Toronto and surrounding areas with an international reputation for its programs in conservation, research and wildlife care; and
- Already maintains an independent Animal Care and Research Committee (ACRC), with external veterinarians, scientists, and lay people (as required by legislation) to ensure the welfare of the animal collection;
And as a result, the Toronto Zoo meets and exceeds all relevant animal care and welfare standards.
It's interesting that 3 of the 4 city councillors on the board (those who seem to be more anti-zoo) did not vote on the motion. Raymond Cho attended at least part of the meeting, as he carried a diffferent item, but I'm not sure if the other 2 were present.
Agenda Item History - 2014.ZB27.3
The Zoo put forth the terms of reference for the panel for the Board to approve and I'm glad to see that the Board decided to use some common sense in coming up with the decision below:
Conclude that the establishment of the Animal Care Standards Advisory Panel, as proposed by City Council, is not necessary for the following reasons:
The Toronto Zoo
- Is currently accredited by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), a professional association, and by the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), as recently as June 2013; both are independent external oversight bodies;
- Is licensed to operate by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMFRA), a provincial agency;
- As a matter of practice with its professional staff including expert animal care staff and veterinarians, operates a first class zoological institution for the betterment of animals and wild populations;
- Is a valued educational resource to the City of Toronto and surrounding areas with an international reputation for its programs in conservation, research and wildlife care; and
- Already maintains an independent Animal Care and Research Committee (ACRC), with external veterinarians, scientists, and lay people (as required by legislation) to ensure the welfare of the animal collection;
And as a result, the Toronto Zoo meets and exceeds all relevant animal care and welfare standards.
It's interesting that 3 of the 4 city councillors on the board (those who seem to be more anti-zoo) did not vote on the motion. Raymond Cho attended at least part of the meeting, as he carried a diffferent item, but I'm not sure if the other 2 were present.
Oh thats great news. Maybe I checked the board meeting a little early and therefore missed that change. Fantastic. Im glad they recognized the zoo is run by pros who are overseen by pros and they dont need meddling anti Zoos or stupid city officals telling them how to handle the animals in their care. This cannot hurt the zoo in any way when they reapply to the AZA. Too bad the heart of the problem still exists. At least this wont make things worse.
arcticwolf
Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing all of this adams7.
I'm really interested now about the health centre public viewing. Maybe they will only make it at certain times.
I'm really interested now about the health centre public viewing. Maybe they will only make it at certain times.
