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Yeah, I think it'll be towards the autumn/winter of 2009, but I think it will be worth it! I've read it will be another immersion exhibit.
 
Hopefully the Toronto Zoo's "Tundra Trek" is an amazing exhibit, as after visting the Detroit Zoo's "Arctic Ring of Life" every other polar bear enclosure in existence is disappointing. Brookfield Zoo and at least a dozen others in North America are building polar bear habitats, and I'm seriously hoping that at least one of them is world-class.
 
Just a few questions...

I have herd some people talking about the zoo having white bengal tigers on display one summer, is this true? If so, when? They were also known as "The White Tigers"

Does anyone know if the zoo has finished there plan for the second phase of the North Zoo Redevelopment Site?

How many Musk Oxen's does the zoo have?

Any new news about the elephant exhibit, and African Pavilion?

Where did the 5 baby ostriches go?

Where are the Vancouver Island Marmots, and the Eastern loggerhead shrike kept?
 
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I remember the white Bengal tigers, way back in the 90s, and I believe they had orange ones as well. If I remember correctly, they were on display in the Sumatran Tiger exhibit.

I'm pretty certain there's only one Musk Oxen left.
 
Yeah, Thats what I thought. Do you know when they were displayed? I am shocked that the zoo does not have them in its history. I found a post on the internet about them being diplayed in 2005, is this right?
 
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I think somewhere around 1990 from 1993/1994, just before they got the Sumatran tigers. The last white tiger, Kivali, passed away in 2002 I believe.
 
I have herd some people talking about the zoo having white bengal tigers on display one summer, is this true? If so, when? They were also known as "The White Tigers"

I think you are thinking of "The White Lions" that were on display in 1995. (This was the second highest year in terms of attendance). We've already talked about them in the previous thread ... they were on their way to Germany from Philadelphia, but stopped in Toronto due to us winning the World Series.

Does anyone know if the zoo has finished there plan for the second phase of the North Zoo Redevelopment Site?
I doubt it ... I think they are still working on the first phase, currently under construction.


How many Musk Oxen's does the zoo have?
Meaghan's right ... there is only one male left. He doesn't really have a name.


Any new news about the elephant exhibit, and African Pavilion?
Elephants, no. From what I have heard, the renovations to Africa may be a bit more extensive than I first thought. They may be adding some more aviaries.


Where did the 5 baby ostriches go?
Elmvale?


Where are the Vancouver Island Marmots, and the Eastern loggerhead shrike kept?
Both are kept in off-exhibit quarantine areas at the zoo (the black-footed ferrets also have a dedicated barn). These areas are actually across Meadowvale from the main part of the zoo.
 
Thanks, for the answers.

Some of my family remember them having white bengal tigers at the zoo, but it may not be true.

Shouldn't they be done the Tundra Trek Plan already?

Do you know of any avaries, like what animals, and where they are going in Africa? and Is africa getting a major revamp too? Cause they have plans to do the elephants, hippos, and pavilion right?
 
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Do you know of any avaries, like what animals, and where they are going in Africa? and Is africa getting a major revamp too? Cause they have plans to do the elephants, hippos, and pavilion right?

I have no information besides what I wrote ... even the keepers in the pavilion don't really know what is going to happen.
 
I have done a review of the Australasia Pavilion.

Australasia Review!

The Australasia Pavilion is the newest area in the zoo. In November 2006, the zoo closed the Pavilion and underwent 2 years of construction, which resulted in all new exhibits and a new Great Barrier Reef Area, where the former Edge of Night Exhibit used to be. The Great Barrier Reef consisted of a large seven metre long community tank, featuring sharks, damsel, and angel fish. There is also a Lion Fish, and newly enlarged seahorse tanks. Coral and Moon Jelly fish have also been added to the collection both a first for the zoo. This Pavilion reopened on May 16, 2008.

Outside the pavilion: The TZ did outstanding renovations outside. All the new trees and the new exit, really fits in with the zoo’s surroundings. It looks clean and uncluttered.

Tree Kangaroo: This exhibit is great; the one thing they should change is to put a bamboo background in the exhibit, like the Komodo dragon, a fence running along the back wall, to cover up the ugly background there now, and maybe a couple more trees.

The Outdoor Aviary: This exhibit the public has no access to now. This exhibit was neat because you were able to walk under all kinds of birds. Why did the close it? They should modify it and change it slightly so visitors can still view it. The Kookaburras “cage” mesh is a little too much but, (if I remember correctly) the birds were sometimes housed in the outdoor aviary in the summer.

The outdoor aviary, and the area between the Tree Kangaroo and the updated exhibits was left the same as before, this really kills the updates because they could have made this area look outstanding. The billabong is an amazing part of this pavilion as well, maybe add some new species here, some new birds would be cool, if I am correct, I think Ungulate mentioned cormorants here?

The new exhibits, where the saltwater tanks used to be, are absolutely amazing, the wood paneling and the exhibits here seem to be filled up and definitely gives this area a touch! More exhibits in this area would be cool, maybe a desert snake, tarantula, or something from Australia.

The New Reptile Exhibits/Cave area: These exhibits are all placed inside a cave and really make this area effective. The exhibits here are filled up and look amazing! The hieroglyphics on the cave walls are top of this part of the pavilion.

Komodo dragon: This exhibit is good but more foliage could be cool, especially if they had some mangrove trees. This exhibit should have a lot more foliage and should seem more rainforest like

Wallaby/Wombat: Excellent exhibits, the zoo is in the right direction with providing amazing exhibits. Their new outdoor area is great too. Watching these animals outside is a new and incredible thing to see. This mixed exhibit is one of the best.

Oceans and Island: The doors into the area, the sugar glider exhibit and the rest of these first exhibits are excellent. The video and orientation area is a great addition as well.

Coral Tank: It’s new, and it will improve, it looks ugly now but when it’s established it will be amazing and colorful. They should add some sea anemones, crustaceans and some fish; all these introductions could help establish the tank and help make it less maintenance. These species are a first for the Toronto Zoo.

Lion Fish: These fish are incredible! This tank does seem bare maybe adding some more coral to the background might help a bit. This tank is supposed to be for Kudu Seahorse. When do the Kudu Seahorses go on exhibit?

Common Pot-Bellied Sea Horse tank: The enlarged tank is better for viewing, although the seahorses may not like it. They may become stressed and die, the tanks viewing is almost way to large, for the sea horses safety they should decreased the viewing a bit.

Community Tank: Absolutely outstanding! This tank is a bit disappointing as there are no live coral in this tank. The zoo made it sound like it was going to be a large coral tank in their interviews, writing, etc. This made some people be very disappointed but, the tank is definitely a show stopper!

Moon Jellies: Amazing! This new species are really cool. They are a great addition to the zoo. The tank is very bland, maybe add some things that would be in there natural habitat. Glad the zoo decided to get them. These species are a first for the Toronto Zoo.

Aussie Walkabout: A neat idea, if it was possible to feed them, it would make it an unforgettable experience. It probably won’t happen but it would be neat. Where are the animals kept in the winter and how many kangaroos, wallabies, and emus does the zoo have?

Overall: EXCELLENT, AMAZING, you say it, it’s got it! One of the best pavilions at the zoo! Words can’t describe it; I can’t wait to see it again and especially can’t wait to do my zoo keeper for a day there! The setup of outstanding exhibit, provides a great experience for visitors of all ages, the zoo is definitely on the right track with exhibit construction.

One last question: Where are all the birds that used to be in the pavilion, like the lorikeets, and the diamond sparrow?

Off Topic Questions:
Is the Toronto Zoo going to open the Beaver Tails, or are they going to open when the Tundra Opens, cause I am really craving them!

The zoo planned to start construction on a new animal health centre in summer of 2009 for completion in 2010. Is this still happening cause i havn't heard anything about it recently?
 
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Very nice review, Quartz!
You make some very good points about the tree kangaroo exhibit (which at various times has also held Komodo dragons, Tasmanian devils, koalas ... ). I would like to see it made into a mixed-species exhibit; perhaps if the echidnas ever breed one can go here. Tortoises might also be workable.

The outdoor aviary has been closed since there aren't many birds out there. The rainbow lorikeets have all been moved elsewhere - when they were living outside, they developed "wobbly lory" syndrome from a brainworm, several died and the rest were moved inside until the beginning of the renovations. I am not sure what happened to all of the finches from the small enclosure in the walkthrough aviary (they are the reason the exhibit has such small mesh).

In the barrier reef area, I think the lionfish may be in its tank for a while because it is proving to be quite popular. And I'm not sure how many people would appreciate two types of seahorse side-by-side. The fish in the big tank will soon be supplemented with several more species that are coming close to leaving quarantine. Although the jellyfish tank might look bland, it is really the only way to keep them alive in captivity! The tank is actually a large cylinder with a curved bottom, with a constant current flowing through. Any furniture or decorations could kill the jellies if they bump into them ... there can't even be corners in the exhibit.

I haven't heard about BeaverTails, but they are likely waiting for the construction to end (they don't have any space for people to eat there right now). And I think the health centre has been pushed back until the capital (fundraising) campaign has brought in some more money.
 
Great review Quartz :)

Ungulate - I was wondering if you could tell us the names of the Red River Hogs that are currently there? Thank you!
 
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I never new that exhibit held so many animals, I knew about the Koalas but never the Komodo Dragons and the Tassi Devils, any other animails housed here before? I sort of thought that would be the case for the jellies.

Canadian Domain Review!

I have decided to do some more reviews of the zoo! I have not been to this part of the zoo for about a year so; the exhibits don't pop out in my head. The Canadian Domain is part of the North Zoo Redevelopment Site and may be Phase 3. It will be the conversion of the Canadian Domain into the mixed wood/Boreal Forest.

To start, the Toronto Zoo should acquire many more Canadian animals, not squirrels or chipmunks, but other species like the Mountain Goat, Dalls Sheep, Bighorn Sheep, Caribou, Whooping and Sandhill Cranes, some foxes, pelicans, and wolfs. Would all be a great addition to the zoo.

If I was in charge of building a new portion of the zoo it would have to be the Canadian Domain, because of the unique animals that Canada has. I would have all the animals into new exhibits, and add the animals I mentioned above. I absolutely love the Canadian Wilds section of the Calgary Zoo, and I would copy some exhibits from that.

I would have to add an aviary for many North American birds. Just take a piece of land and cover it with a roof so the zoo could hold many more species, (Like the Montreal Biodome) I would love to have it just like a pavilion, with some fox exhibits and have the otters and beavers in here to, as well as some other small exhibits.

I would also add a chairlift ride to go down to the Canadian Domain to replace the old track that is there now.

I will now start on the exhibits that the zoo has, all of the newer animals may come, but I am not the person to decide.

Cougar: This exhibit has much climbing space for the animals, but it should be much larger, and should have no mesh just glass walls, and an open air exhibit, adding lots of foliage to make it seem like an area out of their natural habitat.

Grizzly Bear: The grizzly bears have an okay exhibit, although it could be bigger, and have an underwater viewing area, where the public can watch them swim and the bears can catch some live fish. They can also add some foliage to the exhibit and make it much more natural. I would not move the exhibit from where it is today.

Bald Eagle: This exhibit could be a bit bigger but the use of vertical space is excellent. They should add a few trees and have a pond with live fish so the birds can catch them for enrichment.

Moose: The zoo moose exhibit is good in space wise, but they should mimic the Calgary Zoos moose exhibit and have a large pond for swimming. I do like Zoogoer's idea of having an observation tower here, maybe position the tower in between the moose and bison exhibits.

Arctic Wolf: These species are getting a new home in the "Tundra Trek" and I hope it will have a small forest for them and a patch of open land, I think their new exhibit will be outstanding when done, and I can’t wait to view them in the winter.

Musk Ox: These species are getting a new home in the "Tundra Trek" and they should have a small coniferous forest and the rest open field. Once again, I think their new exhibit will be outstanding when done, and I can’t wait to view them in the winter.

Elk/Bison: I have never seen the elk but I think they are with the bison, they should add a pond in this exhibit and with the observation tower it would be great.

The Weston pond area is excellent and it truly resembles Canadian live, I also like the aboriginal trail.

Overall: The Canadian Domain doesn't have many flaws but when they are finished this phase I think it will look amazing!

Americas/Tundra Review!

The Americas outdoor exhibits are mainly under constructions, all the old exhibits there were nothing special, even though it was cool to watch a Polar Bear swim. With the new exhibits for the Polar Bears, Musk Ox, Reindeer, and Arctic Wolf I think this area will look outstanding. With the addition of some new species and a duck pond, and another newer Inukshuk, the area will look very real. The Polar Bears exhibit will be tripled in size, as well as a much larger area for the Arctic Wolves, I do think that the zoo should acquire more Musk Ox, and start up breeding again. Although there are some exhibits that have managed to escape the construction, these are the Mayan Temple Exhibits.

Mayan Temple Exhibits: I absolutely love the theme here hopefully the zoo will come up with a great idea for this area, maybe keep it running and add a few exhibits here and have it part of the Tropical Americas.

Jaguar: The exhibit is small but great, if it was made larger it would suit the cats perfectly, if they decide to go ahead and build the new exhibit in the Americas Pavilion maybe have the glass wall (with no hotwire) and an underwater viewing for them.

Spider Monkeys: This exhibit is great for the monkeys, the mesh isn't great but the monkeys use it to climb. Maybe add a tree or two and the exhibit could be better. The water that flows around these exhibits is amazing too.

Flamingos: One of the best exhibits at the zoo, there is almost no fence and the birds still stay in there exhibit, the zoo is smart to have had a deeper section of water so the flamingoes could stay put. They could enlarge the exhibit but that is being picky.

Waterfall/Capybara exhibits: really cool ideas, nothing to change, but the smell of the waterfall.

I like this area because of its theme, and anything that could be changed is just being picky, except for the jaguar’s exhibit in size wise.

Overall: The American exhibits are undergoing construction for the new "Tundra Trek" and the few exhibits that are not, are still great.
 
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I heard its going to be near the old dall sheep habitat and i swear i saw there mountain.
 
It's hard to explain, but the polar bear exhibit is going to be in the same place but expanded north. The new Musk Ox exhibit will be where the Llamas were and was supposed to include the Mara and the Myan Temple Ruins, The Reindeer exhibit is going to be located on the feild beside the Myan Temple Ruins. The Dall's Sheep mountain is actually not going to be apart of any exhibit. The Arctic Wolf is going to be located where the river area is. If you go to the bridge towards the Americas Zoomobile stop and look towards the construction site that will be the new wolf exhibit. That is what the plans say although it may not be acurate because you need to see them.
 
Everyone, I have put a scanned picture of the Toronto Zoo's Tundra Trek in the Gallery, under the Toronto Zoo.

And does anyone else know that the Toronto Zoo and Animal Planet have the same slogan? Same Planet Different World???
 
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Thanks for the info and scan :) Those are some huge enclosures, what a great way of displaying our native wildlife.

And cool! I didn't know that.
 
One of the smaller enclosures will be holding wolverines, beside the restaurant plaza, the animals where metioned in the collections magazine, so I would think they are going in.
 
It looks like there is going to be another camping area like they have in the African area. I also heard something about a free-flight aviary for the Snowy Owls; this would make my mom's day as she LOVES these birds!
 
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