Toronto Zoo
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The Toronto Zoo is set in the beautiful Rouge Valley. The Main Entrance is located on Meadowvale Road, Scarborough, north of Highway 401 (Exit #389 eastbound and westbound). The Zoo is accessible by car and public transit. |
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| Prices: |
$19, $11 and FREE |
| Area: |
287 hectares (710 acres). |
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No of Species |
No of Animals |
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Star
Rating |
| Mammals |
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Conservation |
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| Birds |
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Enclosures |
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| Reptiles |
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Education |
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| Amphibians |
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Recreation |
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| Fish |
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Research |
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0 |
0 |
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Click here for a Link to the Zoo’s own Web Pages
Write a
review of this zoo
This critique last updated:
Dec 2007
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Official Description See our visitor review below .We have not yet received any official details of this zoo. If you work for this zoo – please send us:  | A description of the zoo (100 – 1,000 words or so) | | Admission prices and opening times and zoo size (hectares or acres) | | Address, telephone, email, web site, | | How to find you | | An electronic copy of your logo | | A summary of the number of species and animals (see table to the left) | | A complete species list (common names and latin names please) | How to contact us [Click Here]
Visitor Reviews The Toronto Zoo is quite big – a bit too big if you try to see everything. I my opinion the zoo could afford to keep the exhibits a bit closer together, as most of the outdoor habitats are separated by small open areas. The zoo is also built around zoogeographic lines. However caution must be used when associating one animal with another. Seeing reindeer followed by scimitar horned oryx is a bit misleading to zoo visitors. Anyhow, most zoo goers are blissfully ignorant of the education. Before the tour of exhibits it is essential to have a map, from the web site http://www.torontozoo.com ENTRANCE
This is where the journey begins. The zoo has undergone a lot of changes in the past five years, when I first became a member of the zoological society. Ironically the focus has been on pleasing the public rather then the animals. You will notice the gift shop which looks like a greenhouse. Inside are quite unique gift ideas. In addition they have another gift shop in a nearby area. This one is set apart because it also houses the auditorium. Finally the “Peacock Alley” gift shop is now a coffee shop. On the subject of construction, most changes have been made at various other areas to help serve fast food to the masses. With all the research conducted for animal nutrition you may find yourself wondering. But enough of criticizing the zoo, don’t worry it gets better. Still at the gates it is uncommon not to see birds. The Canada Geese are always around – as evidenced by the droppings. Sea Gulls have also found a home here. The zoo has tried to clean up after them with less success. Children are especially excited about the exotic wanderers, the peafowl. Peacocks are striking colored, and both sexes provide a real treat to watch. If you can’t find the birds just put food on the ground and get your camera ready. To complete the scene is a display of Hycinthine Macaws near the zoological trails. As a regular visitor I don’t usually follow the trails. There a four kinds. The main one (the blue footprints are on the ground) is the one that cuts through the climate controlled buildings. Almost all the animals are in or around these buildings. They say the trail is about 3 hours. Even more popular is the Lion Trail. This one cut through the Savanna area. Considering the massive update to the savanna area, renamed “Kesho Park”, it now mimics the Dark Continent. In Grizzly Bear Trail leads to the most inaccessible zoo area. Some visitors have a hard time getting down the steep hill, is you are disabled or very tired don’t even try it. Believe me. However if you do make it down your in for a treat. The final trail is called “The Camel Trail”. Eurasian animals call it home. This trail can be rewarding, even in inclement weather because it features hardy species. There is also a small children’s zoo. Indomalayan Paddocks
This area is the place most visitors see first. The animals showcased here are from the Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian Rainforests. The exhibits include Indian Rhinos, Lion Tailed Macaque (both are SSP’s I believe). A memorable animal is the Malaysian Tapir. These animals have access to both out and in door. The zoo can also control breeding by having the family separated in and out. Birds are also exhibited to complete the scene, but the zoo official once referred to them as window dressing. As of this writing the zoo has a newborn rhino, but he’s packing on the pounds really fast. Behind the Rhino house is a relatively quite area. Picnic tables are provided for lunch – you may bring your own food. The Himalayan Tahr have a sculpted mountain to climb on. Sometimes you may see a Reeve’s Muntjac hiding behind a bush or something. The Tahr does not seem afraid of visitors yet the public often overlooks these animals, and the animals tend to be harder to view. The trail leads back to the Rhino house and nearby is a building called the Malayan Woods Pavilion. People with better memories remember it as “Village Edge”. The building is small but provides a shining example of visitor immersion. Birds roam free and are hard to spot if you aren’t specifically looking for them. Butterflies do the same (but have to watch out as the birds eat them). Most of the birds are in a nesting area. Unfortunately the zoo keeps only a small clearing open to guests, and the birds enclosed like to gather at the far end. This is an example as the down side to visitor immersion. If you have forgotten this isn’t a perfect world. The birds benefit by being left alone to breed. One finally note is they Pavilion creates an artificial rainfall, to amuse the animals and the children. The real star of this area is the Clouded Leopard, normally lounging in their tree. Children, who get bored fast, take great delight in pointing out the nearby snakes. I think it’s cute. Please note: The Star ratings can only be awarded by a Good Zoo Guide Official Visit. You can request one by email to [email protected]
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