zoomaniac's trip to Toronto

Z

zoomaniac

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Hi everyone

As I mentioned in another thread (= Toronto's arrivals, departures etc.), I will visit Toronto for the first time. The zoo of this city was a longtime goal of mine, since I read the book "Das Buch vom Zoo" (= The book of the zoo) from the world famous Swiss zooman Heini Hediger, published by Bucher in the late 1970ies. According to this book, Toronto was (or still is) one of the best zoos in the world. So well, let's see...

I will arrive on Thursday, June the 12th, at 12:55 hours at Pearson Airport and will pick up my rental car immediately to drive to the zoo. For the next 3 days, my base will be a Motel at Kingston Road, Scarborough and I have planed to visit Toronto Zoo at least for another day.

Although @Ungulate already gave my some very good tips/advice, I still need more of them and I would be very thankful if some of you guys can help me by answering the following questions:

1. When I have entered the zoo gate, which is the best way (left or right) to visit the zoo and avoid crowds?

2. Is there a chance to safe the 10 Dollar parking fee or is the next free parking space to far away?

3. I know that the Giant Panda exhibit is new and so very attractive. Still: When is the best time to visit this exhibit with just a few visitors but with active Pandas?

4. When is the best time for taking picture of a ACTIVE Southern hairy-nosed wombat?

5. How is the food in the zoo restaurants and what kind of food can you recommend?

6. What is the price for a bottle of water in the zoo?

7. Is there a chance that I can get any old zoo guides (books), animal inventory lists, annual reports or other reading stuff at the zoo (administration, zooshop)?

8. Is there a good and pricey Chinese or Indian restaurant at Kingston Road (or nearby) that anyone can recommend?

9. What other zoological institutions within 2 hours driving distance from my base can be suggested (e.g. is Reptilia - the reptile zoo worth a visit. And would be Niagara Safari a good choice)?

10. Is it correct that Marineland Niagara Falls has Marine Mammals like Killerwhales, Beluga whales, Dolphins and Walruss, but no aquarias/marine fish species?

Thank you very much in advance for your reply. By the way: Would also be great to meet some canadian zoochat-members there.
 
zoomaniac said:
Hi everyone

As I mentioned in another thread (= Toronto's arrivals, departures etc.), I will visit Toronto for the first time. The zoo of this city was a longtime goal of mine, since I read the book "Das Buch vom Zoo" (= The book of the zoo) from the world famous Swiss zooman Heini Hediger, published by Bucher in the late 1970ies. According to this book, Toronto was (or still is) one of the best zoos in the world. So well, let's see...

I will arrive on Thursday, June the 12th, at 12:55 hours at Pearson Airport and will pick up my rental car immediately to drive to the zoo. For the next 3 days, my base will be a Motel at Kingston Road, Scarborough and I have planed to visit Toronto Zoo at least for another day.

Although @Ungulate already gave my some very good tips/advice, I still need more of them and I would be very thankful if some of you guys can help me by answering the following questions:

1. When I have entered the zoo gate, which is the best way (left or right) to visit the zoo and avoid crowds?

2. Is there a chance to safe the 10 Dollar parking fee or is the next free parking space to far away?

3. I know that the Giant Panda exhibit is new and so very attractive. Still: When is the best time to visit this exhibit with just a few visitors but with active Pandas?

4. When is the best time for taking picture of a ACTIVE Southern hairy-nosed wombat?

5. How is the food in the zoo restaurants and what kind of food can you recommend?

6. What is the price for a bottle of water in the zoo?

7. Is there a chance that I can get any old zoo guides (books), animal inventory lists, annual reports or other reading stuff at the zoo (administration, zooshop)?

8. Is there a good and pricey Chinese or Indian restaurant at Kingston Road (or nearby) that anyone can recommend?

9. What other zoological institutions within 2 hours driving distance from my base can be suggested (e.g. is Reptilia - the reptile zoo worth a visit. And would be Niagara Safari a good choice)?

10. Is it correct that Marineland Niagara Falls has Marine Mammals like Killerwhales, Beluga whales, Dolphins and Walruss, but no aquarias/marine fish species?

Thank you very much in advance for your reply. By the way: Would also be great to meet some canadian zoochat-members there.
Click to expand...

1. I would normally say to turn right because that takes you to the less crowded areas. I'm not sure if that's still right though because the pandas are that way.

2. I don't think there is a free parking area close by, but I might be wrong. Maybe another zoochat member would have a better answer for this.

3. Pandas are generally lazy creatures, but on my visit, I went at 1:00 and Er Shun was walking and climbing around the indoor exhibit. I'm guessing the exhibit will be crowded no matter what time you visit. Less people are at the zoo close to opening though.

4. On my last two visits, the wombat was active closer to the zoo's opening and in the evening. If you don't see it in the indoor exhibit, it will probably be outside.

5. The food at the zoo is ok, but like every other attraction in Toronto, it is fairly expensive. My favourite thing to eat at the zoo are the beavertails.

6. I don't know what the price for bottled water is, but there are water fountains scattered throughout the zoo that I normally use.

7. I don't really know where you can get any old guidebooks, but there are a few lists of past species on other Toronto Zoo threads. The gift shop sells some nice videos called zoo adventure, zoo secrets, and zoo babies which show some past species like tasmanian devils and pangolins. They cost $10.

8. No idea.

9. I've never been to Safari Niagara so I can't tell you how good it is. Reptilia is fairly nice with a decent reptile collection. African lion safari could be another option. It has a pretty good collection of hoofstock, parrots, and birds of prey plus primates, lions, cheetahs, and the largest elephant herd in Canada. The two bird shows are great, but the elephant show is a little depressing.

10. You are correct. Marineland had plans a while ago to add more aquariums for fish species. I don't know what happened with that though.

I hope you have a great time at the Toronto Zoo and whatever other zoos you are visiting. I wish I could meet up with you at the Toronto Zoo, but I'm busy studying for school exams so I won't be able to come.
 
1. Based on my trip yesterday I found going in at 10 am was a good time to see the pandas. The school groups who could be there right away had been through and others were waiting to go in. I went straight to the pandas, skipped looking at the panda center and just joined the line waiting to see them. It was about a 15 minute wait. Generally though I have always prefered going left. Maybe take a look at the panda line, might be short around lunch time and make your call from there.

2. I dont know about free parking.

3. Like I said I was there Wednesay at 10 am and it was fast. Would have been even faster if one or both bears were outside. They were both inside and well lets be honest people were rude and shoving in front of others at the windows, even stepping on toddlers. At least outside they are fanned out. Zoo staff keeps a good eye on line hopping but once inside the indoor house your on your own.

4. I didnt get to see the wombats. I'd trust arcticwolfs info on that.

5. I never eat lunch there. I perfer to pack in something I have either brought from home (not an option for you obviously), or fast food from outside that I carried in my bag. I'd suggest stopping in at a Subway or Tim Hortons for sandwiches. They are plentiful and you shouldnt have problems finding one near your hotel. I did try the beaver tails though yesterday while waiting for the zoomobile to arrive and it was good, expensive but good.

6. I always pack in my water. There are tons of fountains but Im not a fan of germs so I couldnt bring myself to use them. Based on all vending machines I doubt bottled water would cost more then $3.

7. The gift shops sell a guide book. Saw it yesterday. Did a quick look. Didnt think much of it but thats just my thoughts. I have a pretty current list of zoo animals with their names (our white lions are Fintan, Makali and Lemon for example), organized by area. I've posted it here in the Toronto Zoo Animal Names section but for your ease I can send it to you in a Microsoft Word Doc. The movies Arcticwolf suggested are awesome. I had them when I was a kid.

Also try checking youtube for clips from a documentary TV show called Zoo Diaries. It was filmed on location, behind the scenes with keepers and vets and the animals. It was taped 2000-2002 for 74 episodes.

Another option is looking around for an episode of undercover boss canada. The zoos new CEO went undercover last year and learned what it was like to be a penguin keeper, a gorilla keeper, a nutritionis and a custodian. The ending particularly with the custodian was very moving. You might be able to find it on the zoos website or facebook page (look back on it to 2012 sometime in the winter i believe.

THis site is awesome for all things you could want to learn. I just posted a summary of my visit yesterday and tons of photos.

8. I too have to say no idea. I live 3 hours away.

9. Frequent school field trips go to the Reptile Zoo in Peterborough and Bowmanville Zoo are common from my area. I've never been to both but parents and teacher swear by them... Most of those people however have never been to Toronto Zoo so their standards could be radically different from mine.

African Lion Safari would be a better option. For many of the reasons Arcticwolf stated. They have one of, if not the best breeding program for asian elephants. They usually have babies. I havent been in a long time but most people who I know who have been recently enjoyed themselves.

Another option would be to go to the Royal Ontario Museum. While your not going to get living animals. They do have a very nice animal themed wing. Its a nice place to visit while in the city anyway.

10. Marineland does keep a lone killer whale, belugas, walruses, sea lions, dolphins, elk, bears, deer and bison (?). It is no Toronto Zoo. Please dont go there. If you do a google news search on Marineland you will see exactly why you should not go there if you love animals. It is a horrible place and Im ashamed to say I went there several times as a kid. Some of the new articles have been posted on the Marineland thread but you will likely find more online because not many of us on here appear to be fans of the place. Your choice naturally but since you like learning about the place your going you probably will change your mind fast about Marineland.

I cannot possibly come on the 12th. Oh to live in the GTA again. I hope you enjoy your visit.
 
TZFan: Did the zoo have a new guidebook? I bought one last year which still showed the fur seals and other species no longer at the zoo.
 
I honestly didnt look at it that long. Just a quick flip through. And I didnt get to go last year so I honestly couldnt say if its the one you bought. Its yellow if that helps?
 
zoomaniac,

Safari Niagara is pretty decent, but nothing compared to Toronto Zoo. If you wanted to visit a smaller zoo within the area, my recommendation would be Jungle Cat World which is about 45 minutes east of there. If it were just simply a zoo trip, I would probably say just stick with Toronto Zoo. But if you wanted to interact with the animals and go inside the enclosures with animals like hyenas, lemurs, tiger cubs and so on, it's a great experience. Obviously it has a cost to it. But something that might be worth checking out. Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park- Behind the Scenes
 
Thank you so much folks for your recommendations/tips/advices.

As it looks at the moment, I'll visit Toronto zoo for two and a half days and the other day - depending on the weather - Reptilia or African Lion Safari.

So sad that you are not able to lead me thru your zoo. But hey, maybe you Canadians will come over to Switzerland for a zoochat meeting someday?;)
 
To a certain extent you dont need us. What arcticwolf and I forgot to mention is that you can view the zoos outdoor spaces by going to google earth and use the street view feature to tour it yourself. Just dont
Rely on others placement of there photos to be certain of an exhibits location. People are often wildly wrong in their placement. But you will get a feel for the lay of the land. Unfortunately when the google guy toured he didnt go into the buildings. Fun fact when you go past the indomalayan pavilion you can look at the google bikes reflection in the glass. If you want a quick preview of what you'll see that first day get a zoomobile bracelet fom the big grey main gift shop to the right of the carousel. Take a full tour from it and sit right in the front or back seats so you can ask the driver or guide questions. Attend keeper talks and ask the keepers questions. If you see a keeper see if they will stop to chat a moment. Sadly when I went the other day I lacked the time tostop and talk much. With 2 and a half days you will.
 
Have you thought about visiting Buffalo Zoo which currently has a pair of polar bear cubs on exhibit.It is about 2 hrs away but also consider you could see Niagara Falls which is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
You should enjoy the Toronto Zoo its one of our favorites !

Team Tapir223
 
Hi TeamTapir223

Yes, Buffalo Zoo was one of my thoughts for the trip. But according to some reviews in the internet, for Europeans crossing the border from Canada into USA isn't as easy as it is for Canadians and US-Citizens. There seems to be a lot of waiting time, fill-out forms and there is also an "entrance fee" to pay. So because of that and because (according to isis/globalspecies) there are no rarities in Buffalo Zoo (Polar bears aren't that special for me, even when they are cute babies) and the Zoo itself was rated below average in quality, I decided to skip it.
(By the way: When you cross the border between EU-NATIONS and Switzerland, you just can drive thru with no stop and nothing to pay!)

For Niagara Falls: As far as I know, it is also possible to see the falls from the Canadian side. Am I wrong?
 
The views of the falls is spectacular on the Canadian side. If you ar going to stop there try booking a boat tour or helicopter tour of the falls. And if I recall correctly you can even book a tour to walk behind the falls from our side. Ive never done these things but I only went there 3 or 4 times as a small child and 4 years ago for my brothers wedding so no real time to explore.

You could also visit the CN tower and walk aroung the top of it. Go see a Bluee Jays game, professional baseball.... they tend to stink.... thers the hockey hall of fame if your into hockey. You could see a play at any number of theatres.
 
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