The Toronto Zoo

04/17/2024

We’re from the Ontario Bat Exhibit 🦇🪧Together with our partners at the Native Bat Conservation Program, we’re celebrating . We’ll learn more about this species, while also taking a quick tour of the new interpretive station - located just outside of Caribou Cafe.

We acknowledge that the land we are on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

04/17/2024

Curious about how we examine and weigh a fruit bat? 🩺

As we celebrate , the African Rainforest and Wildlife Health teams conducted an annual check-in with the straw-coloured fruit bat colony 🦇✨

Learn more about their prognosis and what's involved in a full examination ⬇️

04/15/2024

Dive into the beauty of our underwater oasis 🐠🔉

Journey to Africa to spend time with the African Cichlids of Lake Malawi 🌊
By subscribing to zoolife, you be up close with them. 80% of proceeds support continued conservation efforts at your Toronto Zoo: torontozoo.com/livecams 🌱

04/15/2024

Today's mood: cat nap 💤

Have you met Bowen yet? Bowen is a 1.5-year-old male cougar joining us from British Columbia 🐾 How can you say hello? You can make Bowen feel welcome (and encourage him to share his presence with us) by being respectful and observing him quietly! Bowen has shown himself to be quite the talkative feline - so listen carefully for some cool vocalizations, including purrs, chirps and yowls 🐾

04/14/2024

Volunteering matters. As we celebrate 2024, we call to mind the extraordinary Volunteers who donate their time so generously to making your Toronto Zoo the best place to work, visit and study all things conservation!

By sharing our important conservation messages daily, weekly and monthly, our volunteers connect people, animals, and conservation science to fight extinction – an endeavour in which .

Thank you for all you do for every guest and staff member. We're so much better because of your commitment!

04/14/2024

April showers bring May flowers 💧🦁

Don't forget to join us next weekend (April 20 & 21) for our annual Rain Barrel Sale and E-Waste Collection. Details: https://www.torontozoo.com/events/EcoDrive 💧

04/13/2024

This Mother's Day celebrate the queen of your crash by symbolically adopting white rhino Mom, Sabi and calf, Kifaru 🦏

Those who purchase will be entered for the chance to win a visit to the Zoo, along with a special Meet-the-Keeper experience

Join the herd and make memories that will last a lifetime: bit.ly/4cKO7HW 🦏

This Mother's Day celebrate the queen of your crash by symbolically adopting The Toronto Zoo white rhino Mom, Sabi and calf, Kifaru! Each adoption package includes:

🦏 A personalized certificate of adoption, featuring a photo of Sabi and Kifaru
🦏 A plush white rhino toy (8”)
🦏 A white rhino fact booklet with fold-out poster
🦏 A partial charitable tax receipt for donor
🦏 Recipients name listed as a Species Ambassador on our online wall of recognition for 1 year
⭐ PLUS, you’ll be entered for the chance to win a visit to the Zoo, along with a special Meet-the-Keeper experience

Join the herd and make memories that will last a lifetime: bit.ly/4cKO7HW 🦏

04/12/2024

Over the last week, 3-month-old Kifaru has been experiencing some tummy trouble which required some extra TLC from Sabi and his Wildlife Care team 🦏

Beginning last week, Kifaru experienced a prolonged bout of diarrhea as well as mild vague signs of colic. Both are symptoms the Wildlife Health team is very vigilant about in young hoofstock, since their immune systems are not fully developed and they can easily become dehydrated.

Did you know that a rhino’s gastrointestinal system is very similar to that of a horse? They are considered “hindgut fermenters,” meaning that they have expanded large intestines that are home to a host of beneficial microorganisms (such as bacteria). These microbes digest the rhino’s fiber-based diet and provide significant nutrition to the rhino. Kifaru is still getting much of his nutrition from milk, but he is starting to nibble on solids and populate his hindgut with these important bacteria. Developing this important micro biome is accomplished by ingesting these microbes from his environment, including by eating small amounts of substrate … and p**p from adult rhinos! Sometimes, though, this transition is challenging and less beneficial bacteria can disrupt the process.

While Kifaru remained bright and continued to nurse well from Sabi (and remained well-hydrated), these cases can quickly take a different turn and require close monitoring and supportive care. As a proactive measure to minimize the potential spread of infectious agents and ensure that Kifaru had as much rest as possible, the scheduled behind-the-scenes tours and Wild Encounters were temporarily suspended. Kifaru’s f***ls were sent out to test for many causes of diarrhea, and we are happy to say that these f***l tests came back negative for these infectious agents.

To those who experienced cancellations, we thank you for your understanding and patience – your Wild Encounter team will be working in the coming days to rebook your Wild Encounter experience.

With temperatures beginning to get warmer, we’re getting closer to when Kifaru can begin exploring the Savanna outdoor habitat. Stay tuned for when Kifaru makes his big outdoor debut! 🦏

04/12/2024

Can you guess the 💩?

04/11/2024

Eating an Avocado (Step 1): Channel your inner ! 🥑🐾

04/10/2024

Thank you to the 5,000+ guests who joined our Zoo on April 8 to celebrate the . You helped our staff, volunteers and Welfare Science researchers document what this experience meant for the overall behaviour of your animals 🌘

With the near-total coverage of the sun being a rare event, we were most interested in studying how your favourite animals responded.

Your Zoo is still collecting observations you may have made if you were at the Zoo before, during and after the big event! Did the animals change their behaviour in any way? What did you see and experience? Your insights and data are invaluable to us! 📋

Submit your observations before April 12 and become a "Junior Citizen Scientist.”
https://bit.ly/4cPqZbo

04/10/2024

Look Who's New! Say hello to Bowen 🐾

We’re excited to announce that Bowen, a 1.5-year-old male cougar, is joining your Zoo from British Columbia!

With his quarantine complete, guests can now catch glimpses of him exploring his new habitat, located part-way down the Domain hill across the road from the wood bison bachelor herd.

How can you offer him your hello? You can make Bowen feel welcome (and encourage him to share his presence with us) by being respectful and observing him quietly! Bowen has shown himself to be quite the talkative feline - so listen carefully for some cool vocalizations, including purrs, chirps and yowls!

Journey down into Canadian Domain for your personal sighting of Bowen and join us in welcoming him to our Zoo family - a welcome addition as we get closer to 💚

04/09/2024

Alpaca Lips > Solar Eclipse 🦙🌘

Gerald and Reggie are curious. What was your experience like yesterday? ⬇️

Your Zoo is still collecting observations you may have made of the animals if you were here before, during and following yesterday's big event! Did the animals change their behaviour in any way? Your insights and data are invaluable to us! 📋

Submit your observations and become a "Junior Citizen Scientist" ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4cPqZbo

04/09/2024

04/08/2024

Happy Home Opener to the Toronto Blue Jays ⚾️

Did you know that on April 7, 1977 your Toronto Zoo welcomed the firstborn Grevy’s zebra in Canada? This just happened to also be the date of the first game played by Toronto’s new baseball team that year.

To commemorate both events on that very special day, she was named ‘Blue Jay’. She lived to be 34 years and 8 months old, the oldest member of her species recorded, and had four offspring carrying on her legacy of this endangered species.

While Blue Jay is no longer with us, today we honour her legacy as we near our 50th Anniversary on August 15th 🎉

Join us over the next few months as we take a stroll down memory lane to reminisce on iconic moments and happenings that have shaped our journey over the past five decades.

04/08/2024

Happy 2nd Birthday Wali 🧡🦧

Don't forget to join us at 9:45am this morning for a Keeper Talk as Wali and Sekali enjoy ‘Where’s Wali?’ themed enrichment and birthday treats 🦧 Can't make it in person? Tune in on zoolife at zoolife.tv/torontozoo 🌱

04/07/2024

Ever consider having an overnight sleepover at the Zoo? Here’s your chance! 🏕️

Enjoy behind-the-scenes tours through your Zoo’s Africa Savanna at dusk as well as campfire tales with lion roars in the background at our Serengeti Bush Camp 🦒🦁

From the May long weekend through until the Labour Day long weekend in September, you can experience wildlife within our African Savanna and Rainforest Pavilion, while also enjoying evening activities and a chance to sleep under the stars in authentic African tents 🏕️

Register today: https://bit.ly/3JbvAHb

04/07/2024

How will your animals react to the April 8 ? That remains to be seen! 🌒

If you come to the Zoo now and through Apr. 9 (following the eclipse), our Animal Welfare team is asking for your help with recording the animals during this unique event.

We’re interested in the activity levels of our animals and any changes in their behaviour at various timepoints during the day. You can then become an official Junior/Citizen Scientist! 🔭🏆

Complimentary Solar Eclipse glasses will be provided* to all Zoo guests for their visit on Apr. 8 👓

🌒 Sunday, April 7 - Tuesday, April 9
🌒 Observation Form: https://bit.ly/4cPqZbo
🌒 *While supplies last.

04/06/2024

Sound up for a Mazy symphony 🎶 🐾

04/05/2024

Why, what lovely teeth you have Fernando 🦷

Fernando is a Tomistoma (also known as a false gharial). Tomistoma means "sharp mouth“, and their long thin snout can be filled with up to 84 sharp teeth!

Fernando is the only false gharial in Canada and one of only 23 in all of North America.

False gharials are endangered and found in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia where they live in fresh water lakes, rivers and swamps. There may be as few as 3000 adults left in the wild with their habitat hreatened by logging, and the draining of low lying areas for oil palm plantations.

Say hello to Fernando on your next visit to Indo-Malaya 🐊

04/04/2024

It's T-minus 4 Days! On April 8th, parts of Ontario will experience a total solar eclipse - the first one since 1979 & the last one expected until 2099! 🌔

Right here at home, however, Torontonians will experience a partial solar eclipse at 99% coverage.

Our friends at the Ontario Science Centre joined us recently to help our greater communities learn more about eclipses, the purpose of wearing specific Solar Eclipse glasses and how your Zoo will be monitoring animal well-being 🌔👓

04/04/2024

Today, our Zoo community mourns the passing of Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, affectionately known as 🦒

Throughout her life, Anne was a powerful force in the work of wildlife conservation as a Canadian zoologist.

She was a pioneer in the study of animal behaviour in the wild and was credited with being the first person to study wild giraffes - a significant contribution to research in the field. Anne was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2019 and a documentary titled, "The Woman Who Loves Giraffes", documented her original steps back to Africa where her trail-blazing journey began more than 50 years ago.

Honouring her incredible legacy over the years, your Toronto Zoo gave “Amani", a Masai giraffe born in 2020, the last name of “Innis Dagg.”

On behalf of staff and volunteers at your Toronto Zoo, we offer our sincerest condolences to her family and friends and to honour her, our flags will be flying at half-mast as we remember her most amazing life.

04/04/2024

Then ➡️ Now

Wali celebrates his second birthday on Monday, April 8 🧡🦧 Celebrate with us: https://www.torontozoo.com/events/wali

04/03/2024

Monkey lunch munch 🐒

04/03/2024

Join the Zoo's Volunteer team today! 📋

Consider becoming part of a diverse team of active Summer Information Volunteers who are great champions for wildlife and conservation science.

Interact with, inspire and educate Zoo guests at our various outdoor interactive interpretive stations.

Deadline is fast approaching! Apply before April 7 ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3To5OnD

04/02/2024

We’re from the Ferret Barn! 🐾 Together with Wildlife Care, we’re celebrating where we’ll meet Harper, the black-footed Ferret, and learn more about her species and the important conservation work your Zoo is doing to protect and sustain this valuable specie.

We acknowledge that the land we are on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

04/02/2024

Happy 🐾

Did you know we were the first zoo in the world to exhibit critically endangered black-footed ferrets? This year, we are celebrating not only our 50th Anniversary, but also 32 years of participating in the recovery program for the endangered black-footed ferret.

Since then, the Toronto Zoo has produced hundreds of baby ferrets (also referred to as kits) and has reintroduced animals to prairie habitats in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Genetically valuable animals are kept in the Species Survival Plan program for future breeding, in the red barn you see driving along Meadowvale Zoo when you visit the Zoo. Take a peek at the barn dating back to the 90’s!

This program is a high priority for the Zoo as we attempt to re-establish black-footed ferret populations across North America. Autumn 2009 marked the first Canadian release of black-footed ferrets into the wild -- the crowning achievement of the Canadian recovery program.

In Canada, the black-footed ferret historically ranged in the western Prairies (southern Alberta to southern Saskatchewan) but was listed as extirpated in 1978. The area in and around Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan contains the largest black-tailed prairie dog population in Canada and the prairie dog is protected within the park. Since the prairie dog is the primary prey of black-footed ferrets, this site is ideal for ferret reintroductions.

In 2003, the Toronto Zoo spearheaded black-footed ferret recovery in Canada and in 2004, in partnership with Parks Canada, US Fish & Wildlife Service, the Calgary Zoo, private stakeholders and other organizations, a joint Black-footed Ferret/Black-tailed Prairie Dog Recovery Team was established to set up the reintroduction of black-footed ferrets into Canada. As a result of extensive planning, 34 ferrets were released onto Canadian soil on October 2, 2009. Grasslands National Park now supports Canada’s first wild population of black-footed ferrets since they disappeared from the country several decades ago.

Reintroducing the black-footed ferret into Canada is of great conservation significance as we established a population in the species’ most northern historical range. By reintroducing an extirpated species back into the Canadian prairies, the Toronto Zoo and its many partners have proven that species-at-risk recovery programs can be successful. Along with our international collaborators, we are very excited and hopeful for the continued recovery of the Canadian black-footed ferret population 🐾

04/01/2024

As we celebrate , we think of the guests we serve on the spectrum who love wildlife and wild spaces as much as we do! ♾️

Did you know Your Toronto Zoo has various programs that support neurodiverse communities and individuals with disabilities? These programs include:

• 50% off admission for people with disabilities, including free admission for an accompanying support worker
• Your Toronto Zoo Guest Accessibility Guide, enhance your Zoo experience with valuable insights, support, helpful information, tips, and visual cues for guests with diverse accessibility needs
• Toronto Zoo Sensory Map that help identify Headphone Zones and Quiet Areas to help prepare for a visit
• Toronto Zoo Social Story: A resource to help you plan your visit
• Adventure Access Pass: Supports guests and members who may have significant trouble standing/waiting in line at the Zoomobile, Conservation Carousel, Tundra Air Ride, or Gorilla Climb ropes course.
• KultureCity® Sensory Bags
• Magnus cards
• Wheelchair and Scooter Rentals

Learn more about your Zoo's commitment to accessibility this month and everyday ⬇️
https://bit.ly/3PRyXax

04/01/2024

It's officially Ape-ril, time to recycle those old cell phones (and other electronics!) 🦍📱

For those who may have an extra phone, tablet or computer at home, you can donate it to the Zoo on April 20th and 21st at our E-Waste Collection &
Rain Barrel Sale to support great ape conservation.

Do you ever wonder what happens to your old electronics (also known as e-waste)?Every year, nearly 1.3 million cell phones end up in landfills. Over 50 million tonnes of e-waste is produced every year and only 15-20% of it is recycled properly. The remaining electronics are sent directly to the landfill! Electronics are valuable and potentially hazardous materials that need to be recycled properly ♻️ Learn more at https://www.torontozoo.com/events/EcoDrive 🦍

We also provide 100% landfill-free recycling for cell phones year-round through the Zoo's Phone Apes program. Drop your old phones off on your next visit to the Zoo or mail them to:
361A Old Finch Ave
Toronto, ON
M1B 5K7

By recycling your old phones, elements used to create cell phones can be re-used which reduces the demand to mine in the Congo, the home to critically endangered lowland gorillas: https://www.torontozoo.com/tz/phoneapes 🦍

03/31/2024

Happy Easter from our family to yours 🐣🐰