Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo Future Developments 2014

The zoo will be holding a month long countdown to their 40th anniversary this August, starting on July 7th and lasting 40 days until the main celebration. Each day a species will be highlighted and the animals will receive special enrichment or feeding, all adding up to 40 species being shown off. Sounds like a very smart way to build anticipation for the anniversary!

The calendar for those interested:
Toronto Zoo | 40 Years
 
Theres 2 interesting things in that calandar. One, did anyone else notice that Dottie, the nile soft shelled turtle, has completely changed his appearane. When I saw him last week he looked like himself, now he looks like some species of North American turtle! What a fascinating trick for the anniversery.

Second and more seriously, the bactrian camels are scheduled for August 6th... wait just read the description... I thought that meant the eurasian wilds would be open but they are bringing the camels out to the camel rides. Darn. But looking at the rest none of the other Euasian stars like the red pandas or snow leopards are listed so it looks like it still wont be open. Maybe thye will aim for the anniversery weekend itself. It would be a fine time to open a new exhibit.
 
TZFan said:
Theres 2 interesting things in that calandar. One, did anyone else notice that Dottie, the nile soft shelled turtle, has completely changed his appearane. When I saw him last week he looked like himself, now he looks like some species of North American turtle! What a fascinating trick for the anniversery.
Click to expand...

I am unsure if this was a joke, but I think it is but and you are correct they did use the wrong photo for the nile soft shell turtle. The photo they used is of a yellow belly slider turtle or a red eared slider (I am not an expert on turtles but I think those names are correct) which are a species of North American turtles.
 
It was intended to be a joke. Someone obviously made a mistake and hopefully it will be correccted shortly.

I will take your word on what species photo they did use. Im not a reptile expert either. Both sound like good options.
 
That picture is actually of a red bellied short necked turtle from Australasia.

I think it's a great idea that the zoo is highlighting a different species every day until its anniversary. My favourite part is that in addition to the popular species like gorillas and penguins, other animals like tarantulas and catfish are highlighted too.
 
Take a look at the zoos facebook page to see how they moved giraffes, Twiga and Mstari, to their new home. Sounds like they will be participating in the keeper talks this weekend so they are officially on display in their new exhibit. Of course this would happen the week after I visit. Oh well next year.
 
Went to the zoo yesterday and today. On both days the Giraffes were out in the first yard. They can't go into the second or third yard yet. They seemed pretty curious about their new surroundings.
 
It's good to hear they seem interested in their home. Now if the zoo could only scare up some herd mates for them.
 
Seen Twiga and Mstari in their new home.Twiga loves to eat the trees and back corner and Mstari love to explore the yard and play with the tree bracnhes :)
 
Oh man the Eurasian Wilds is taking forever to complete. They are just now puting out a contract for paving the pathways! The job is to be completed July 25th. Could that mean a possible grand opening in August? I want to say perhaps but something makes me think twice.

http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/RFQ 42 (2014-06) Eurasia Wilds Asphalt Paving.pdf

There were two pictures available but the were photos of designs and not very good photos.
 
This is pretty disappointing news. I've been patiently waiting for Eurasia to open up. Last time I went through there before the construction began, I had yet found my passion for photography. So I'm really looking forward to getting shots of the snow leopards and other animals.

I think the idea that was floating around about it opening on the 40th anniversary weekend might be true, although I'm not sure it'll bring as much people as it would've if it opening in the spring like it was suppose too.
 
I dont know if there would be any less people coming to see the Eurasian Wilds finally open in August than there would have been in the spring. Those who would go just for the opening of the new exhibit would go no matter when because their are zoo fans. Everyone else would just find it a nice bonus to their day. It would work in nicely to the anniversery weekend. Too bad its not supposed to be a totally rebuilt area like the savanna, the african pavilion or tundra trek. Its those kinds of massive renos that pull in big numbers and be a show stopping massive improvement. The Wilds has always been presented as just a facelift with one new holding for the eagles and leopards. Guess we will have to wait and see if whats done there compares to the rest.
 
TZFan said:
Oh man the Eurasian Wilds is taking forever to complete. They are just now puting out a contract for paving the pathways! The job is to be completed July 25th. Could that mean a possible grand opening in August? I want to say perhaps but something makes me think twice.

http://www.torontozoo.com/pdfs/rfp/RFQ 42 (2014-06) Eurasia Wilds Asphalt Paving.pdf

There were two pictures available but the were photos of designs and not very good photos.
Click to expand...


It sure takes them a while to open Eurasian Wilds but hopping we will have a chance to see it in August :)
 
Forgot there was a board meeting July 15th. Important highlights...

Wildlife Health Centre
The contractors have been chosen.

Current issues: traffic flow problems; multiple functions of clinical and surgery rooms; inappropriate animal holding rooms which do not provide adequate environmental control for sensitive species, and which do not permit separation of sick animals from healthy ones; lack of recovery facilities; lack of appropriate holdings for large hoofed-stock; narrow hallways; inadequate storage for equipment and supplies; lack of crate-washing facility; and limited vehicle access.

Start date fall 2014 with a projected finish date early in 2017, which we all know means late 2017 to sometime in 2018.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-71349.pdf

Fundraising
A fundraising charitable organization is being developed.

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2014/zb/bgrd/backgroundfile-71350.pdf

My twice a year favorite report Visitor Accidents.
Good news accidents were down.

Nearly half were slip and falls which with this past winter is understandable. Ice was a big problem for everyone everywhere.

One was animal related but no details were offered.

Sadly there were no fun little stories in this one.
 
Nothing was mentioned in the board meeting about the CAZA or the AZA. Maybe next time which I believe is early September.
 
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