Conservation & Education Programs
Secret successes of
conservation revealed!
“To tend the earth is our entrusted duty,
for earth is ours to use not abuse.”
-Omer Westendorf, Stewards of the Earth (1916)
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In Action:
Conservation & Education Activities
2014-2015
The year 2014-2015 was packed with new and great conservation, education and wildlife initiatives. It was an exciting year, and
everyone at the Toronto Zoo contributed to our success! The Conservation, Education & Wildlife Division remains the backbone of
the “invisible Zoo,” and our dedicated staff are grateful to all other divisions for their support and resources. Some of the highlights
for 2014-2015 include:

In May 2015, Zoo staff and a giant panda breeding expert, Mr. Zhigang Cai, Researcher of the Wildlife Animal Conservation
Breeding and Genetics Program, at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China performed artificial insemination (AI) procedures on Er Shun, the female giant panda, using sperm collected from Da Mao for the first procedure and frozen sperm collected from two giant pandas in China that were imported to Toronto Zoo in 2014, for the second AI. Staff
trained Er Shun for ultrasound in order to closely monitor her for signs of a fetus.

Toronto Zoo’s Turtle Island Conservation Program received funding for two projects totaling close to $370,000 that will keep
this successful high profile partnership based program going for three more years. Turtle Island Conservation has secured
$291,209 for a period of 3 years for their project entitled: Partner-Mandated Resource Expansion and Recovery/Restoration of
Species at Risk/Habitats, and $78,409 for 2015-2016 for their project entitled: Partner-Mandated Community Conservation and
Mapping of Harvested Species.

In celebration of World Migratory Fishes Day, a one-day global initiative to create awareness on the importance of open rivers
and migratory fish, Julie Payette Public School in Whitby released Atlantic salmon fry they had been caring for since January
2015, into the local river as part of the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program. In 2015 the Aqua-Links Program
released over 3,000 salmon fry back into the wild.

In September of 2014, T. McCaskie, Toronto Zoo Wildlife Care Keeper, returned from another successful field season in Madagascar working with Malagasy partners on an important fisheries conservation project to establish sustainable populations of
endangered fish in the wild. A small number of the extremely rare ptychochromis insolitus, a small perch-like fish, along with
five other rare Madagascar fishes, were brought to Toronto Zoo in September. The Toronto Zoo is the only accredited facility
internationally to have a living population of this species, which are considered to be critically endangered by international authorities, and are important for the North American Species Survival Plan Madagascar (SSP).

The Toronto Zoo Board of management granted Curator Emeritus status to Mr. Bob Johnson, Curator of Reptiles & Amphibians
in recognition of his extensive expertise, exceptional leadership, dedication and 41-years’ of service to the Toronto Zoo. The
“emeritus” designation is an honourary role among zoological institutions and other organizations such as museums, art galleries and universities. Mr. Bob Johnson has had a remarkable career and is highly regarded internationally for his knowledge
and contributions to his field. He has received various awards for his work involving numerous well regarded projects with amphibians and reptiles, eco-education, stewardship and habitat protection.

The Toronto Zoo is pleased to be the recipient of a generous donation of software from Microsoft Canada in support of Engaging Youth in Conservation." The software donation will help the Toronto Zoo to develop standardized and professional communication with teachers and their students, both on-site and in the classroom. The entire organization, from Zoo Administration
to our Wildlife Curators and Research Specialists, will be able to communicate on a multitude of levels with institutions and research centres throughout the world regarding environmental, animal, conservation and education activities, allowing for learning to take place virtually through distance learning, interactive kiosks and videos.
William A. Rapley, D.V.M., M.Sc.
Executive Director
Conservation, Education & Wildlife
Toronto Zoo
Adjunct Faculty
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Toronto at Scarborough
Advisor Graduate Faculty
Biology Department
York University
Adjunct Professor
Ontario Veterinary College
University of Guelph
Past President and former Board
Member—Canadian Committee
for IUNC (CCIUNCN)
Former Vice Chair and Board
Member
Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest
Conservation (COTERC)
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Table of Contents
Check it out!
Letter from Executive Director…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Zoo Highlights 2014-2015……………………………………………………………………………………...…………………………………. 5
Our Keepers: from Passion to Action………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 9
Mandate & Resources……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

Our Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13

Conservation, Education & Wildlife Division……………………………………………………………………………………….. 13
Affiliates & Partnerships……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
Education Initiatives………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

Education at the Toronto Zoo……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17

Educational Programs…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17

Curatorial Projects………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 18

Animal Outreach…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29
Wildlife Enrichment…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 31

Enrichment Program…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32

Training………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33
Research Initiatives……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 35

Captive Breeding & Reintroduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 36

Reproductive Research……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 39

Habitat & Species—Specific Research…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 41

Behavioural Studies…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 46

Veterinary Research……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 47

Nutritional Research……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 48
Horticulture Initiatives………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 51

Horticulture………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Natural Areas Management……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 53

New Rare Plants…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 54
52
Custodial Initiatives…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 55
Green Initiatives……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 56

Our Vision…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
57

Green Events, Programs & Projects…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
58

Energy & Waste Management Trends………………………………………………………………………………………………..
59
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
60

Species Survival Plans® (Green SSP®, Yellow SSP®, and Red) Programs……………………………………………….. 61

The Mission of the Toronto Zoo Development Division……………………………………………………………………...
62

2015 Endangered Species Reserve Fund (ESRF)………………………………………………………………………………….
63
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What’s New at the Zoo?
2014-2015 Highlights
Eurasia Wilds
The newly renovated Eurasia
Wilds allows visitors to get
inside the enclosure with
wild horses, yaks, & West
Caucasian turs on a
Zoomobile experience.
Take a ride on a camel or
follow the river path to
encounter the snow
leopards‘ lair, eagle owls and
Stellar ‘s sea eagles –one of
the largest birds in the world,
and the elusive red panda.
Be sure to visit its
endangered cousin the giant
panda, on loan from China as
part of a Giant Panda
Conservation Breeding
Program until 2018. And
much , much more!
Go Poo Power .
ZooShare hits $2.2M fundraising goal!
Nearly 300 local investors are celebrating today after reaching their goal
of raising $2.2 million to build North America’s 1st zoo-based biogas
plant! The facility will be built on three hectares of land east of
Meadowvale Road, will combine Zoo waste and food waste from a major
grocery retailer to be converted into renewable electricity, heat and
fertilizer. This translates into about 17,000 tonnes of Zoo poo and local
grocery waste turned into energy for the Ontario grid!
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Centre of Excellence in Canada
A neoteric facility for education, nutrition, reproductive and veterinary care.
Sustainable Upgrades: Green roof, cool roofing, below grade insulation, under slab insulation, low flow plumbing
fixtures, energy efficient lighting, heat recovery/ high efficiency mechanical systems, bird friendly glazing,
high-albedo exterior surface material, solara glazing panels (high R with natural light) & low VOC paints
The Toronto Zoo would like to thank the Estate of Mary Millard for the generous donation of $2 million towards the
new state-of-the-art Wildlife Health Centre. The new facility will allow for further success in undertaking the Toronto
Zoo's mission of high quality wildlife heath, nutrition and conservation research.
In photo: Relatives of the late Mary Millard, as well as John Tracogna, Toronto Zoo CEO; Paul Goddard, CEO, Pizza Pizza; the Richardson/
Woods families, Joe Torzsok, Chair, Toronto Zoo Board of Management and Dr. William Rapley, Toronto Zoo Executive Director of
Conservation, Education and Wildlife were all on hand for the unveiling of the commemorative cornerstone to be placed at the future site of
the Wildlife Health Centre, which is scheduled to open in late 2016.
More than just pizza lunches!
Donates $250K!
“Giving back to communities we serve
is an important part of Pizza Pizza’s
culture. The Toronto Zoo is a special
part of our community and the new
Wildlife Health Centre is an initiative
that we are proud to support!”- Paul
Goddard,
President and CEO of Pizza Pizza
Limited
June 1st, 2015– Toronto Zoo announced that Pizza Pizza Limited
would be contributing $250,000 to the new Wildlife Health
Centre (WHC). The WHC is where a team of veterinarians, wildlife
health technicians, a reproductive physiologist, reproductive
research assistants, and wildlife care staff work together to ensure
the highest quality of wildlife health care, reproductive research and
conservation initiatives are conducted.
The new 30,000 square foot Wildlife Health Centre design includes
leading-edge sustainable construction techniques, and materials and
technology. It is designed to respond to the needs of our animals and
those who care for them. This includes a fully-functioning wildlife
hospital (equipped with operating room, x-ray suite, and laboratory),
reproductive laboratories, multi-purpose animal holdings and
quarantine wing. In addition to the health services, the WHC will
give visitors a chance to learn about the Zoo’s reproductive
programs, numerous conservation programs, turtle headstart
programs, Amphibian Rescue Centre (ARC), the veterinary residency
program, high school co-op and many research projects with
universities, colleges, government and non-government agencies.
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A Co-Venture to Stop Illegal Turtle Trade
“The illegal trade of wildlife is the 4th most lucrative criminal activity worldwide, only exceeded by the trade of
narcotics, counterfeiting and human trafficking.”- David Foster, President of Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers and the
elected Canadian Representative to Crime Stoppers International.
Turtles taken from the wild are part of a global illegal wildlife trade estimated to be worth $30 billion a year.
Whether it’s a professional poacher involved in the illegal pet trade, or an individual capturing and trying to sell
a rare species, the trade in turtles is a real and serious issue in our own backyards. Rare turtles in Ontario such as
wood turtles, spotted turtles and Blanding’s turtles are prized by collectors addicted to adding these species to
their collections. The Toronto Zoo in partnership with Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers announced a new
initiative aimed at educating and encouraging individuals to help put an end to this shocking crime. “Poaching
is a serious issue which can have detrimental impacts on the sustainability of turtle populations. The Toronto
Zoo is proud to be a long standing partner of the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers to address the serious
issue of illegal turtle and other wildlife harvesting.”- Dr. Andrew Lentini
Aboriginal Projects and Conservation Efforts Secured 3 Years of Funding
The Partner-Mandated Resource Expansion & Recovery/Restoration of Species at Risk/
Habitats, and Community Conservation and Mapping of Harvested Species received $370K
from Environment Canada towards educational outreach, habitat improvement projects,
conservation work with species-at–risk and development of culturally based resources and
workshops focused on the conservation of both massasauga rattlesnakes, Monarch
butterflies, bats and other wildlife that are of conservation concern in First Nations
communities. Turtle Island Conservation’s First Nations community partners have strongly
supported the work of the Toronto Zoo in protecting species at risk throughout Ontario and
are pleased that these projects will continue to progress in the coming years.
Saving Species: 9,000
Welcome Kiko!
Tadpoles Released to the
You will have to look way up to see this new face!
Wild!
The Puerto Rican crested toad is listed as a
Critically Endangered species by the IUCN
(International Union for Conservation of
Nature) and is found only in Puerto Rico. In
collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service and the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), on
May 25, 2015 a breeding program at the Toronto
Zoo began. The Toronto Zoo is very proud to
announce that 9,000 tadpoles were hatched and
were released in Puerto Rico on June 11, 2015
for the purpose of
sustaining and
rebuilding the
wild
population.
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4,430 lbs of E-waste & 3,108 Cell phones Collected!
Many thanks to Toronto Zoo staff and guests for their participation in our electronic recycling program. Since 2007 to July 2014,
the Phone Apes TM cell phone recycling program has collected 23,371. By diverting e-waste from land fills we are not only
encouraging responsible waste management, but saving the rainforest home of the endangered lowland gorilla. The electronic
devices collected are disassembled by Global Electric Electronic Processing (GEEP), for their precious metals that are used in
circuit boards . In particular, the element tantalum found in capacitors is derived from a metallic
ore called Coltan, which is harvested primarily in the Congo rainforest.
In addition, the donations received from PhoneApes to GEEP are
used to fund field conservation efforts for the Great Apes. An
amazing zoo initiative that saves both habitat and species, we
look forward to your continued support!
Aqua Links releases 3000
Atlantic Salmon into the
Wild!
On Thursday, May 21, 2015, grade 7
students, from the Julie Payette Public
School, released over 100 Atlantic
salmon fry into the wild at the
Greenwood Conservation Area in Ajax.
Releasing the Atlantic salmon into the
wild was an important moment that the
students have been working towards as they have been raising the
salmon, in their classroom, since January 2015. The Toronto Zoo’s
Aqua-Links Program is an exciting conservation effort which links
students in Ontario with students in Uganda to discuss water
conservation. Focusing on these two Great Lakes regions of the
world, the program fosters stewardship and appreciation for water
as a precious resource, as well as for the fish that call these lakes
home. Over 3,000 salmon fry were released back into the wild in
2014-2015.
“Blanding’s turtles are amazing creatures and in some ways they are
a poster child for endangered species– by helping them we also
help countless other wetland animals and plants.” - Dr. Lentini,
Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, Toronto Zoo
Blanding’s Turtles
Released into the
Rouge Park
For the second year, the Toronto Zoo, Parks
Canada, and the Toronto and Regional
Conservation Authority (TRCA) reintroduced
21 baby Blanding’s turtles into a wetland in
the Rouge National Urban Park (Canada’s first
national urban park and one of the largest
urban parks of its kind in the world).
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Going Above & Beyond!
Our Keepers: from Passions to Actions
Angie Snowie Rhino Awareness: Help us save rhinos.
If, there is one keeper who can move a crowd to
tears and inspire visitors, co-workers and
businesses to action, its Angie Snowie! Her
passion for these gentle giants, or as Angie would
say “more like big dogs”, goes beyond her
working hours as a Zoo Keeper at the Toronto
Zoo. Afterhours and on weekends, Angie and her
partner run the “I Rhinos” campaign, which
raises funds for rhino conservation work; provides
education, and brings to light the plight rhinos
are facing to all who will hear her, especially the
guests at the Toronto Zoo. The proceeds from
the fundraising go to Lewa Wildlife
Conservation, International Rhino Foundation
and Action for Cheetahs (as cheetahs and rhinos
share the same habitat and by protecting
cheetahs you protect rhinos too). Her goal is to
save rhinos, as much as one person or a handful
of people can do. This is not an easy task she
explains, since “rhinos are being poached at a
rate of at least three a day and currently in the
wild there are less than 30,000 rhinos.” If these
trends continue, by 2016 the number deaths will
be greater than the number of births and the
rhino population will be on a downward slope to
extinction. Very possible in our lifetime.
Rhino Extinction because of a Myth - The poaching crisis that
rhinos are facing is due to a rise in the demand for rhino horn
in traditional Asian medicine. In 2007, a prominent Asian
healer declared that ingesting rhino horn cures cancer and
cools the blood. And from that point onward poaching has
increased over 9000%. Scientific analysis of rhino horns shows
that it is made up of the same substance found in finger nails,
keratin. And there is no evidence that keratin can cure cancer.
In fact, there are no medicinal properties associated with rhino
horn. Since, the Asian Java and Sumatran rhino species, have
57 and 200 respectfully left in the wild, poachers have turned
their sights on the African Rhino Species (White and Black
Rhinos) and are decimating the rhino population.
Angie’s Call to Action - There is no doubt in anyone's mind the
genuine love Angie has for these animals. As a zookeeper the
bond that Angie shares is that of kinship. Starting in 2013,
Angie organized many fun and entertaining fundraising events,
such as Bowling For Rhinos, Raise Your Glasses For Rhinos,
Skiing for Rhinos and even BATL Axe Throwing for Rhinos!
Angie is not only creative in her event planning but also
designed stickers, t-shirts, bracelets, etc., which are sold both
at the Toronto Zoo and on her website www.iheartrhinos.com.
Angie has gone above and beyond and is the Canadian voice
for Toronto Zoo’s rhino conservation
“Rhinos face
extinction in
our lifetime,
because of a
myth! Please
help us to
help save the
rhinos”
Matt Berridge - Palm Oil Awareness
Matt Berridge, a zookeeper who cares for the orangutans in the Indo-Malaya Pavilion, has taken his role as the voice of
these orange ape ambassadors well beyond his regular duties! His first event was an orangutan awareness event at the
Toronto Zoo, where he garnered the attention of public, from children to major business owners. He spoke about
deforestation due to increased palm oil production and how the loss of these forests have negatively impacted many
species, including the orangutans.
What can you do to help? -
Buy sustainably harvested palm oil. Matt explains, “Palm oil is in
everything, from the sliced bread you eat to shampoo and cleaning products. We are connected to it.
We have a right to know how the products we use are affecting the planet we share. And to make
changes to conserve it. I feel boycotting is not very effective, it is better for consumers start buying
sustainably harvested palm oil. Also it is better for the palm oil plantation to
be harvested using sustainable methods as there are greater yields in
production.” He also adds, “Working together we can make a difference
by conducting an audit of products that contain palm oil in your home,
substituting for sustainably harvested products, or even writing
letters or emails to these companies inquiring whether they use
sustainable palm oil.”
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Julie Ward & Kasia Murphy- Gaining Speed for Cheetah Awareness
After months of planning with Cheetah Conservation Fund, National Zookeeper week from June 6 & 7 in 2015,
marked the start of the first Cheetah Awareness Weekend at the Toronto Zoo! Julie Ward and Kasia Murphy,
zookeepers of the wildlife in the African Savanna, were inspired by Dr. Laurie Marker, founder of Cheetah
Conservation Fund to echo the conservation message, “People need to realize that in our own world, if we don’t
recycle, reduce, reuse, carpool or take transit; just how our everyday activities impact our environment and how
we are all tied to these animals overseas. Many people take it for
granted that we can see these animals here at our Zoo and don’t realize
how devastating things are over in Africa. Only a hundred years ago
there were a 100,000 cheetahs; today, there are only 7,000 -10,000
cheetahs left. We really need to educate the next generation and really
show they can make a difference and have an impact.” B y supporting,
Cheetah Awareness Weekend at the Toronto Zoo, all the funds from
the event go toward supporting conservation projects in Namibia,
where they raise cheetahs to be released back into the wild, conduct
research to save cheetahs and provide support to local farmers to use
guard dogs to deter predators from their flocks.
Make your birthday an Eco-Age Themed Party - Inspire the next generation to give a gift to the planet, by
incorporating Eco-Age in your party planning. Simply, ask your guests to donate a portion of the funds from
their gift towards a conservation organization of the child choosing.
Ryan Hegarty, Ashley Slack & Sarah Stata - Vulture Awareness Day
Campaign
Vulture decline - Vultures are bald and beautiful! They play a huge role in processing carrions and disease control
in the ecosystem and surprisingly these essential birds are declining in population globally. Poison is the main
reason for their decline. In Africa and Eurasia, farmers have been injecting their cattle with an anti-inflammatory
drug called Diclofenac. When the animal dies, vultures that feed on the carcass experience renal failure. In
addition, poachers have been poisoning carcasses to intentionally kill vultures as they signal to the authorities a
new kill. Vultures reproduce at a very slow rate and if this trend continues vultures will be extinct in 25 years.
Already, Asia has seen an increase animal aggression and dog bites over dead carcasses, as well as an increase in
diseases such as rabies and distemper.
A very vulture venture- Ryan, Sarah and Ashley have been
organizing vulture awareness campaign for six years, an event that
was inspired by a zookeeper exchange from Australia. The purpose
is to make people aware of the conservation status of the vultures
in the world. Two booths are set up at the Toronto Zoo, one at the
Kid’s Zoo, the other in African Savanna and showcase the two
vulture species. This is very kid friendly event, where kids get
connected to vultures through touch tables, comparing arm span to
wing span; guessing games, conducting easy science experiments,
and even making vulture vomit that can be thrown like a vulture.
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Heather Kalka - Acres for the Atmosphere
A passion for polar bears - In 2009, Heather Kalka and Hollie Ross traveled to the
sub-arctic of Churchill, Manitoba to work with Polar bears International, as part
of a zookeeper conference that ran through the American Zookeeper Association (AZAK). At the conference, it was decided that there needed to be unified
voice and consistent messaging; from that discussions Acres for the Atmosphere
was born! Heather is the Co-chair of Acres for the Atmosphere, where the main Holllie Ross (left) and Heather Kalka (right)
goals of the organization is to reduce carbon, sequester carbon and take action now! The Toronto Zoo, has hosted a variety of events for Acres for the Atmosphere that range from teaching guests how to conserve energy, reduce their ecological footprint, create green spaces through tree plantings and inspire action for green initiatives.
In 2010, Acres for the Atmosphere had a cooperate partnership with Symcor, which lead with the first major tree
planting event at the Toronto Zoo. The event was a huge success and continued annually; in total there have been
over 10,000 trees planted! Heather pushes onward, fuelled by her passion for polar bears, as she wants to see a
communal change to stop the effects of climate change. She explains, “It is not about one tree planting, it’s about
all of us coming together and working together towards a common goal that is going to make a greater impact.
It’s about leading by example and making those changes and inspiring others to make the same changes. In fact
that is what is going to make the ripple effect that will create the greater change we need. I believe in what I do
and I lead by example. As a zookeeper, my animals trust me and I have to do right by them.” She adds, “Everyone
thinks they are doing their part. We need to take the next step and push ourselves to move forward! Polar bears
have often been used as the canary in the mine. Especially since they are the first species to be recognized as being affected by climate change this dramatically. The polar bears need the ice for hunting, and the ice is disappearing. The only way to slow down the rate polar bears are losing their ice is to act now. We have the opportunity to make a change now and take responsibility for our actions!”
What can we do? - Get involved in the community with clothing swaps, yard sales, local produce, farmer markets,
planting trees, creating green spaces, recycle, reduce, reuse, conserve energy and water, talking with politicians
about legislation on climate change, using reusable bags, etc.
Vicki Hardstaff- Awareness Red Panda Conservation
Vicki attended a conference through the non-profit organization called the Red Panda
Network, when she became the zookeeper for the red panda. The red panda quickly
became a favourite to care for and developed into a passion over the years. In 2010, the
Red Panda Network contacted Vicki to ask if she would organize an event at the Toronto
Zoo for the inaugural International Red Panda Day, to celebrate the uniqueness of the
Red Panda, to create awareness and raise funds for conservation work in Nepal. The
event has continued every year on the third Saturday in September, with fun touch tables and activities for kids, a
panda themed silent auction, and merchandise for sale.
Why conserve red pandas? - By saving red pandas you are saving many more species. The Red Panda Network is a
community based, conservation program, that teaches villagers in Nepal to be “Forest Guardians”. The Forest
Guardians, teach others on how to sustainably use the forests and to farm sustainably, and lessen the effects of
deforestation and degradation of critical habitat for these animals to thrive.
What keeps you motivated?- The kids and adults, and hearing the voices saying “They are so cute!”. It’s amazing,
how the red panda’s presence at the Zoo has inspired people to take action. Every year I have visitors tell me about
how they held their own fundraiser at home or within their community to raise money for red panda conservation.
Also, the Toronto Zoo as an organization is very supportive in accomplishing your goals.
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Mandate
&
Resources
The Conservation, Education, and
Wildlife (CEW) division works closely
with the Wildlife Care branch of the
Toronto Zoo and ensures that the
conservation mandate of the Zoo is
fulfilled. This division prepares and
implements numerous creative
initiatives that work to preserve
valuable habitats, educate the public,
and carry out lab and field research in
animal and plant conservation.
Emphasis is placed on stewardship,
education, and outreach programs, all
aimed at preserving biodiversity and
natural ecosystems both on and off the
Zoo site.
The three branches: Conservation,
Education, and Wildlife, work together
to ensure that the optimum standards
of animal and plant husbandry are met
and exceeded at the Toronto Zoo. The
cooperation of these three branches
leads to the development of dynamic
programs and methods of care for the
plants and animals.
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Our Mission, Vision & Values
Mission:
A living centre for education and science,
committed to providing compelling guest
experiences and inspiring passion to protect
wildlife and habitats.
Vision:
Canada’s national leader in saving
wildlife to ensure the rich diversity of
nature for future generations.
Values:
Excellence
Conservation
Innovation
Collaboration
Integrity Passion
The Strategic Plan address outlines seven institutional goals.
Conservation is the foundation of everything the Toronto Zoo does.
Conservation Impact: Goal 1: Advance to a zoo-based conservation centre of excellence.
1. Establish the Zoo as the national leader in conservation, with a focus on Canadian species and habitats.
· Review and advance established criteria to prioritize conservation and research projects, while increasing efforts on
Canadian species and habitats.
· Further develop the Zoo’s scientific “areas of excellence” (e.g. nutrition, reproduction, freshwater conservation,
veterinary science, education, restoration ecology, etc.).
· Strengthen the Zoo’s advocacy role in wildlife conservation.
· Update the Zoo’s multi-year Green Plan, to guide our environmental sustainability program.
· Reinforce the important role education plays in conservation and ensure all staff recognize they have a role to play.
2. Achieve a sustainable wildlife population with a high degree of biodiversity within the Zoo.
· Review and update wildlife and habitat plans with a renewed focus on Canadian species and habitats.
· Allocate funds to Animal Acquisition Reserve Fund to support the needs identified in habitat plans.
· Proactively understand import/export criteria and work collaboratively with CAZA to resolve restrictions.
· Support future wildlife population needs by adding additional needed breeding facilities.
· Enhanced participation in global sustainability programs for Toronto Zoo wildlife to maintain healthy genetic populations.
· Maintain and enhance national leadership with a biodiverse Zoo.
3. Provide exemplary care to the Zoo’s wildlife population.
· Continue to apply new approaches to animal management to meet the animal’s behavioural and environmental needs.
· Further integrate the Zoo’s scientific “areas of excellence” programs to contribute to best practices in the care of the Zoo’s
wildlife and to share our knowledge with other professionals.
· Offer professional development programs to enable staff to advance their learning and expertise to continue to provide
excellent wildlife care.
· Expand population biology management and genetics planning for diverse sustainable populations
4. Invest in renewal of facilities and infrastructure to meet and exceed standards and regulations.
· Build a new Wildlife Health Centre. Develop additional partnership wing.
· Prepare a new multi-year Capital Master Plan. Included is the completion of a building audit.
· Develop and implement a plan for additional educational facilities.
CONSERVATION, EDUCATION & WILDLIFE DIVISION
The CEW division consists of curators, wildlife health and animal care specialists, nutrition and
reproductive experts, conservation biologists, behavioural researchers, and educators.
The CEW division facilities include a Wildlife Health Centre, Reproductive Physiology Laboratories,
Wildlife Nutrition Centre, and Curatorial & Records Branch.
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Affiliates & Partnerships
To further increase resources offered at the Zoo, a number of external researchers work on various projects. As a result, strong
partnerships have been developed with other research institutions and universities. The Toronto Zoo encourages various students and
researchers to work in collaboration with the Zoo on projects related to their area of interest.
Toronto Zoo staff in the CEW Division have adjunct university appointments and provide lectures and advice and assistance to student
programs. Graduate studies are available through Zoo collaboration and include M.Sc., Ph.D., D.V.Sc., and Post-Doctoral programs.
Each Summer approximately fifteen university students complete their summer research at the Toronto Zoo. Research project topics
range from green plans and wetland conservation to nutrition and reproduction.
Giving Actions for the Planet
Great Lakes Shoreline Clean-up Sculpture
Twenty Grade 9 Geography students from St. Peter
Catholic Secondary School in Peterborough collected 10
bags of garbage from Beavermead Park and part of the
shoreline from Little Lake on the Trent-Severn
Waterway as part of the Toronto Zoo’s Great
Lakes Program.
From the trash collected they created a
sculpture to raise awareness about water
issues and conservation, in hopes to inspire
others to clean-up the litter in the
environment.
Toronto Zoo staff arranged a webinar with the
National Gallery of Canada’s Gallery Professional David
Gillanders to guide the students in their development
and design of the sculpture.
The sculpture was on display in the Americas Pavilion in
the month of June. Thank you to the Ministry of the
Environment and Climate Change’s Great Lakes
Guardian Community Fund for their support.
14
PWC says “I’m Part of It!”
One of the most powerful and influential positive
forces in business today is employer-supported
volunteerism. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) is
renowned for being one of the largest provider
of industry focused assurances, consultants
and tax services internationally and is a
leader in driving employees to engage
their communities. PWC’s employees
are given one day, where they can
participate in community outreach
with a non-for-profit organization.
This year 80 employees from PWC
chose to spend their day at the Toronto
Zoo volunteering with the nutrition staff
harvesting browse and apples from an orchard
used to grow food for the animals at the Zoo. It was a
labour intensive day, filled with cheer as volunteers
learned that their deeds aided important
conservational research. In addition employees got a
behind-the-scene look at the animals being fed the
freshly picked browse and apples. PWC’s employees
could truly say “I’m Part of It!” when it comes to saving
and protecting species by their actions, as it furthered
the Toronto Zoo’s nutritional work with gorillas and
other great apes. A very heart felt thank you to PWC.
Thank You To Our Supporters!
Banrock Station Wetlands Foundation Canada Helen McCrea Peacock Foundation Endangered Species Recovery Fund of Canada Nebraska Herpetological Society
Marmot Recovery Team International Bear Management Association Georgian Bay Biosphere Reptile Awareness Program Recovery of Nationally Endangered Wildlife
Sydenham Conservation Foundation
Royal Botanical Gardens
Ontario Vernal Pool Association Government of Canada, Habitat & Stewardship Fund The Henry White Kinnear Foundation
Grasslands National Park - Saskatchewan
K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation
The W. Garfield Weston Foundation
Tippet Foundation Ontario Power Authority Geoffrey H. Wood Foundation Milliken Meats Limited Toronto Zoo Development Division Pond Life (Liverpool, UK)
ELSA Wild Animal Appeal of Canada Greater Georgian Bay Reptile Awareness Program National Heritage Information Centre Vancouver Island Marmot Foundation
Turtle S.H.E.L.L. Tortue
Ralph Kirk Endowment Fund
The Richard Ivey Foundation
Weston Family Foundation
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR)-Species at Risk
Ontario Streams/Habitat Stewardship Environment Canada
Conservation Council of Ontario
First Nation Partnerships
TELUS Greening Up the Zoo on their Day of Giving
TELUS Day of Giving, themed “We Give Where We Live”, encourages their employees to volunteer
in their communities. This year the Toronto Zoo was privileged to have 157 volunteers help green up
the Toronto Zoo grounds by removing invasive garlic mustard plants and planting new trees. Garlic mustard
is one of North America’s most aggressive invading plants as it not only chokes out native species but changes
the soil chemistry to prevent other plants from growing. By removing it and planting trees, TELUS has given
the Zoo’s forested area a chance to regain its biodiversity. Thank you TELUS for spending your Day of Giving
with the Toronto Zoo!
15
Education Initiatives
The Toronto Zoo provides a perfect setting for individuals of all ages to explore the natural world first
hand, by providing the opportunity to observe and interact with plants and animals from around the
world which they may not otherwise get an opportunity to experience in the wild. Such opportunities
help to connect people with nature, establishing a bond which creates an unparalleled opportunity to
foster conservation through education.
The Education Branch offers a great lineup of fun-filled programs throughout the year. Whether it's a
week at summer day camp, sleeping under the stars at Serengeti Bush Camp, or one of our exciting
daytime or evening programs, learning just comes naturally at the Zoo!
The Toronto Zoo will engage communities by providing the tools and knowledge to
connect to nature and protect our natural world.
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Education at the Toronto Zoo
Zoo School
Formal Education Programs
The Toronto Zoo is registered with the Ministry of Education, for the delivery of Grade 11
Biology, University Preparation (SBI3U) credit course. This intensive four week summer
program is delivered in both July and an August session.

Curriculum linked programs for various
grades
 Professional development sessions for
Teachers Internship Programs
 Operation Conservation (grant funded
program for grade six students of
underserved communities)
 Educational resources for Teachers/
Educators
Informal Education Activities
Education also takes place in
unstructured learning situations such as
interacting with a Volunteer, exploring
one of the many interpretive displays
throughout the Zoo site, attending an
animal show or keeper talk, through
free play, interactions and discussions of
observations/experiences with family
members during a visit.
Non-Formal Education Programs
 Themed family and children's
programs (weekends and evenings)
 Youth Badge programs for Guides,
Brownies, Scouts and Cubs
 Zoo Camps (summer day camp)
& Serengeti Bush Camp (overnight
experience)
In addition, the Education Branch is also involved with: ongoing development of educational resources, interpretive graphics/
displays; promotion of educational programs; volunteer recruitment and training; guided tours and outreach; plus assistance at
special events.
Toronto Zoo Supports an Annual Roster of 439 Volunteers!
The Volunteer team consists of year-round Volunteers,
Zoo Ambassador student volunteers, and Panda
Ambassador Volunteers. All Volunteers assist in the
delivery of the Zoo’s educational programs, helping to
raise public kingdoms, and most importantly, enhancing
the experience of each Zoo visitor with whom they come
in contact with.
Scan with a smart phone to
learn more about becoming a
volunteer at the Toronto Zoo!
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Curatorial Projects
The following organizations have set up
displays to celebrate the event:
International Migratory Bird Day
Every year, Visitors who come to the Zoo on
International Migratory Bird Day learn about bird
conservation and celebrate the return of our
migratory birds. Visitors also have the chance to
speak with local conservation groups, and those
wishing to experience the spring migration first
hand can take advantage of a rare opportunity to
explore the natural areas behind the Zoo’s public
exhibits, and look for migrant birds inhabiting the
forest. The 2015 theme was “Restore Birds, Restore
Habitat”. The event was very successful with 67
bird species being identified on Zoo grounds,
including three species new to the count.
Bird Studies Canada, Armstrong-Miller,
COTERC, FLAP, Sheridan Nurseries, Toronto
Field Naturalists, Rouge National Urban Park,
and Toronto Wildlife Centre.
Black-Footed Ferret & Vancouver
Island Marmot Educational
Outreach Program
The Toronto Zoo has developed a
curriculum-based black-footed ferret and
Vancouver Island marmot outreach
program as part of an educational
campaign for the captive mammal
breeding and release programs. This
program has been customized for students
in grades 4 to 6, and includes topics such as
conservation, endangered species,
habitats, and the food chain, which are
discussed with students in an interactive
and interesting manner. The black-footed
ferret teacher activity guide can be found
on the Toronto Zoo website http://
www.torontozoo.com/conservation/
bffguide.asp
The project is available to community
groups and businesses interested in
learning about conservation, as well as
schoolchildren in Saskatchewan and the
Greater Toronto Area. As the black-footed
ferret and Vancouver Island marmot are
both native to Canada, these projects will
assist the national recovery efforts by
increasing awareness and support.
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In 1989 at the first World Congress of Herpetology, a global gathering to discuss the
study of amphibians and reptiles, it became clear that frogs, toads and salamanders –
animals that rely on wetland habitat for most or part of their life were declining
worldwide. Eager to take action, a group of Zoo staff formed an Amphibian Interest
Group to promote water and wetland conservation throughout the Zoo. In 1991, AdoptA-Pond was chosen as the name for Toronto Zoo’s Wetland Conservation Programme.
The programme’s purpose was to engage families in identifying important wetland
habitats and the creatures that these habitats support. Its first educational poster
“Amphibians are Disappearing - If you love to hear frogs sing, no-one wants a silent
spring” was sent to over 1 million school children. With its early success in community
wetland conservation, Adopt-A-Pond was awarded the American Zoo Association’s
North American Conservation Award in 1997. Partnerships created through Adopt-A-Pond have resulted in the
production of a series of unique Ontario focused reptile and amphibian identification guides, frog call CDs, and the
Zoo’s first citizen science programme – Frog Watch Ontario. Adopt-A-Pond now maintains an expanded group of
citizen science initiatives that include the Wetland Guardians Registry and Ontario Turtle Tally along with a wide range
of conservation projects focusing on local amphibian and reptile species
Ontario Turtle Tally is a wildly
popular programme that
encourages nature lovers from
all walks of life to report
observations of turtles they see
in the wild to an online registry
at the Zoo, and this data, in turn, helps to
implement habitat conservation projects and
inspires participants to become advocates for
turtles all across the province. Our work with
Blanding's turtles is a great representation of
how the Turtle Tally program has directly
influenced turtle conservation through the input
of citizen scientists. At a site in Southern
Ontario we were made aware of large numbers
of Blanding's turtles hit on the road through
sightings from Turtle Tally participants. We
were able to work with local landowners and the
road authority to erect permanent wildlife
fencing and improve a wildlife crossing under
the road to help the turtles move under the road
rather than over it. Toronto Zoo staff monitored
the Blanding’s turtles in the area for several
years and not only found them successfully using
the crossing structure but discovered that this
relatively unknown population contained over
100 individuals. The information gathered
through Turtle Tally is made available to a
number of local conservation groups so that
they too can use it to help turtles all across the
province.
Toronto Zoo's Turtle Island
Conservation programme
(TIC) respectfully shares the
hopes and goals of First
Nations (FN) partners in our
commitment for the preservation of
biodiversity. The programme celebrates
culturally diverse and community-based
approaches to conservation, recognizing
that socially relevant programming is an
imperative component to educating and
motivating people to take action for the
protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat.
The TIC has partnered with FN communities
to develop culturally appropriate
programming to protect and preserve
community knowledge and significant
natural and cultural landscapes since 2005.
TIC ’s objectives are:



To increase understanding of and
appreciation for the diversity of First
Nations culture and ways of knowing
among all people.
To promote and acknowledge
understanding of the connections
between traditional ways of knowing and
western science.
To facilitate intergenerational
knowledge sharing through the creation
of educational resources and community
based conservation projects.
.
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Blanding’s Turtle Head Starting &
Reintroduction
This project has been an enormous undertaking, involving
the collection of eggs from nests laid in unsuitable
conditions, incubating the eggs here at the Toronto Zoo,
and raising the young for two years in our turtle nursery,
before finally releasing them out into the wetlands.
Toronto Zoo has begun the long term annual release of
threatened Blanding’s turtles back into the Rouge Valley.
Blanding’s turtles were once abundant in this area
but urban threats such as loss of habitat and
road mortality have caused their
numbers to dwindle.
We release approximately 50 young Blanding’s turtles back
into the wild each spring. To keep informed of their
activities, we attach tiny radio transmitters to their
shells. We continue to monitor
them as they interact with
their new environment and
undergo important
milestones such as migration
and hibernation. The information gained from
monitoring these turtles will help to inform us
about their habitat requirements and what we
can do to ensure they are continually provided
with suitable areas to live.
Many of the turtles that live in our watershed are Species at Risk, protected by both
federal and provincial legislation created to ensure their long term survival. Over the
past 10 years, the Toronto Zoo's Adopt-A-Pond Wetland Conservation Programme has
undertaken a series of research projects, as a collective entitled the Urban Turtle
Initiative, to learn more about what species of turtles are in the Rouge Valley, where
they are living, and how they use the landscape to survive. Painted turtles, snapping
turtles, Northern map turtles and Blanding’s turtles were studied and radio telemetry was used to track their
movements. This information is vital in understanding key areas for foraging, overwintering nesting and travel
routes to ensure their habitat is properly conserved for their survival in this urban environment.
Wood Turtle Head
Starting
The Toronto Zoo has been assisting the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Forestry with the conservation of the Wood Turtle in Ontario for several
years. These turtles are highly prized by
poachers and now exist only in very small
numbers in the province. Ministry staff
monitor the wood turtles in their natural
habitats and collect their eggs, which are
raised in captivity as part of a headstarting program. As with all turtles, the
young have an extremely high mortality
rate due to environmental pressures. They
bring the young turtles to the Zoo where
we raise them for 2 years before releasing
them back into the wild. Once released,
the turtles are monitored through the use
of radio telemetry equipment to learn
more about their behaviour and the overall
success of such programs.
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World Turtle Day School Challenge and Turtle Outreach
World Turtle Day is celebrated on the 23rd of May each year. The Toronto Zoo raises awareness about the threats to
turtles by including local schools in special on-site activities. Classes learn about turtles
and create turtle models from recycled materials to send to us at the Zoo. These turtle
models are then put on display for World Turtle Week, when visitors have a chance to
vote for their favourite turtle model. The class with the most votes gets a special
experience to learn about turtles at the Zoo while all participating classes get a visit from
the Adopt-A-Pond staff to teach them about Ontario’s local turtles. During the fall
months we also visit classrooms within the GTA to teach children about the threats turtles
face and how they can help. We always encourage classes to participate in Ontario Turtle
Tally, to help them discover the turtles that live in their own communities.
Toronto Zoo's Adopt-A-Pond Programme is the
Provincial Coordinator for the Canada-wide Frog
Watch program, now nationally led by the
University of Ottawa. This programme monitors
amphibian population health throughout the
country and uses the information to educate
research on long term climate change among
other things. This program takes place throughout
Canada and we also work closely with volunteers
to provide species identification training to help
familiarize people with their local frog species.
Everyone that submits a sighting to Turtle Tally or
Frog Watch is invited to a day at the Zoo every
autumn, which includes presentations from
researchers working to save reptiles and
amphibians in Ontario and a chance to learn more
about the reptile and amphibian conservation
projects happening at the Zoo.
Population Investigations for the Endangered Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
The Blanchard’s cricket frog is an endangered species in Canada, although there have not been confirmed
sightings since the early 1970’s. Efforts are underway to verify the presence or absence of this species in its last
known location in Canada and investigate the possibility of reintroduction. Toronto
Zoo has teamed up with the Pelee Island Bird Observatory to install a series of audio
recorders that turn on each evening to record the sounds of calling frogs from several
wetlands. These recordings are used to verify the absence of Blanchard’s cricket frog
calls and verify the presence of other amphibians in the area. Toronto Zoo has also
mapped potential wetlands that would be suitable for Blanchard’s cricket frogs should
a reintroduction program become a viable option to re-establish this species within its
historical Canadian range.
21
Raising Awareness about the Western Chorus Frog
The Western chorus frog lives throughout Southern Ontario but its numbers have been declining in the Eastern
portion of its range. To assist recovery experts in learning more about the Western
chorus frog, Adopt-A-Pond staff visit landowners to determine the presence or
absence of this frog on their property. Advice is provided on improving habitat for the
Western chorus frog and understanding its role in the environment. Audience specific
guidelines on habitat enhancement are left with landowners to help them in
implementing projects to benefit the chorus frog. If Western chorus frogs are
suspected but not found during the visit, we provide landowners with audio recorders
to place in the wetland which will record frog calls to verify the species presence.
New tools for amphibian monitoring: Establishing environmental DNA
(eDNA) as a means of monitoring amphibians in Ontario
A new method for surveying amphibians that uses the detection of genetic material from sloughed cells and other
waste material in water is becoming an important tool in species assessment in aquatic environments. This type of
environmental or extracellular DNA (eDNA) is being used to detect and quantify the presence of animals even
several weeks after amphibians have left wetlands. Toronto Zoo has partnered with researchers from Trent
University, McGill University and Laurentian University to test this new tool here in Ontario. We will be sampling
known occurrence locations for at-risk species based on location data from our FrogWatch Ontario records.
Because the amount of recoverable eDNA correlates with population abundance and provides high detectability,
this new approach will help us conduct long-term monitoring and determine the health of amphibian populations.
22
Wetland Evaluations and Management
Guidelines for Landowners
Our Wetland Guardians
registry provides an
informational resource
for individuals and
groups who are
interested in wetland
stewardship. This
online database allows
individuals and
communities to share
their experiences with
wetland stewardship
activities so that others
may learn about how
wetlands are being
saved throughout
Canada. If you have
undertaken stewardship
activities in a local
wetland we encourage
you to register your
wetland and help
others by providing
details on how you
completed your
stewardship projects,
for example by sharing
partner organizations,
innovative approaches,
or general advice.
Those who are looking
for information on
stewardship ideas can
search the registry to
see what others have
done and how to get
started on their own
projects.
The Toronto Zoo’s Adopt-A-Pond Programme is expanding our Wetland
Guardians project to help landowners learn more about their wetlands and the
wildlife that rely on them. We work with landowners who provide habitat to
Species at Risk reptiles and amphibians in Ontario. Adopt-A-Pond staff
certified in the Ontario Wetland Evaluation System, visit with landowners to
help determine the quality of a given wetland. Wetlands that are evaluated by
this system are assigned a point value based on their features and importance
in the local landscape. When a wetland is evaluated, we provide an evaluation
report which can be submitted to the Ministry of Natural Resources for
consideration as a Provincially Significant Wetland (PSW). The area in which a
qualifying PSW is located is protected from development that would
negatively affect the wetland. We also provide the landowner with habitat
management guidelines that support the local species found on the property
and advise the landowner on ways to maintain or enhance the habitat.
23
Wetland Restoration on the Toronto Zoo site
Habitat Enhancement for
Reptiles and Amphibians
A partnership between the Toronto Zoo's Adopt
-A-Pond Programme and the Toronto Region
Conservation Authority to restore wetlands for
wildlife in the Rouge River Valley has been
ongoing since 1999. Adopt-A-Pond has mapped
and ground-truthed 192 existing and potential
wetland sites in the Rouge River watershed, and
has been working with TRCA to implement
wetland restoration projects . The most
intensive undertaking of the project is dredging
and re-contouring the shorelines of three
permanent ponds and six ephemeral ponds to
create deeper and more diverse wetland
habitat. These wetland areas also require the
removal of invasive phragmites australis plants
from the wetland areas and adjacent uplands.
After removal of invasive plants, native species
will be planted along the shorelines of the ponds
to directly assist wildlife. This project also
involves community groups in restoring the
ponds through volunteer planting events,
invasive species removal projects and turtle
nesting site creation projects.
The Adopt-A-Pond team
has years of experience in
creating and improving
habitat for reptiles and
amphibians. We provide
personalized assistance to
landowners who are
interested in taking
stewardship action on their
own properties. This
includes helping with
professional advice
towards building turtle
nesting beaches, snake
hibernacula and restoring
wetlands and shorelines.
We also help communities
get turtle crossing signs
and snake crossing signs
installed in areas with high
reptile road mortality.
Working Together To Save the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
The Eastern massasauga
rattlesnake is Ontario’s only
venomous snake and is at risk
of extinction. This snake is
timid and prefers to move
away from danger and avoid
conflict. In addition, loss of
wetlands and habitat
fragmentation due to
expanding human
settlements and high road
mortality are threatening the
survival of this species.
The Toronto Zoo initiated the Eastern
massasauga rattlesnake conservation
strategy in 1980’s in response to increasing
demand from the public for information
about the species. Later in 1991, COSEWIC
listed the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake as
Threatened and the Eastern Massasauga
Rattlesnake National Recovery Team was
founded. The Toronto Zoo was one of the
team’s founding members and contributed
to the rattlesnake’s conservation through
rattlesnake loans to conservation partners in
Ontario for use in exhibits, public education
and outreach programs. Furthermore, the
Toronto Zoo composed a Stewardship
Guide, which provides information about
sharing habitat with rattlesnakes and how to
live with wildlife and hosts a “Living with
Rattlesnakes” workshops twice a year, in
April and November. There were 145
workshop participants in 2014.
24
The Toronto Zoo contributes to the
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
National Recovery Team with
veterinary expertise and scientific
research. Currently, there are
collaborations with the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, AZA zoos and private
land owners to assist with long term
population monitoring in southwest
Michigan by conducting field surveys
to better understand the population
dynamics. Toronto Zoo is also working
to determine whether and how
translocation of snakes can be
effectively used to mitigate the impact
of highway construction throughout
the range in Ontario by collaborating
with Wildlife Preservation Canada, the
Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
and Laurentian University on a threeyear experimental translocation at
Pointe au Baril.
Prairie Rattlesnake in
The Northern Pacific
Grasslands National Park.
Rattlesnake
The prairie rattlesnake is protected by the Alberta Wildlife
Act and the Saskatchewan Environment Act in response to
populations’ declines. In Alberta, the prairie rattlesnake’s
hibernation dens are protected by law and are monitored
yearly. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development has
initiated research on the rattlesnake’s population size and
distribution, hibernation dens inventory, and tracking
rattlesnakes using radio telemetry to identify and protect
critical habitats. In Saskatchewan, the prairie rattlesnake is
protected by the Saskatchewan Environment Act.
Toronto Zoo has supported research and
public engagement for Pacific rattlesnake
conservation in British Columbia. The Pacific
rattlesnake can only be found in the
Okanagan Valley in British Colombia. This
species is protected under the British
Colombia Wildlife Act. The Nk’Mip Desert
Cultural Centre of the Osoyoos Indian Band
received Toronto Zoo support to engage
local citizens in species recovery efforts,
community outreach programmes and
research.
Remarkably, a concerned citizen initiated the production of
a poster providing information about the species status in
Saskatchewan, its identification, precautionary measures,
and safety instructions. The poster was produced by
Toronto Zoo in cooperation with local residents, businesses
and Grasslands National Park. The poster was distributed
to the public to raise awareness about prairie rattlesnake
conservation and public safety.
ECOexecutives is a unique sustainability workshop series offered
by the Zoo to engage the corporate world by connecting
biodiversity to their bottom line. Since 2009 ECOexecutives has
offered both introductory and advanced level workshops on
integrating sustainability within a company’s business practices.
The program is designed to motivate business leaders and
engage their employees in reducing their carbon footprint,
conserving water and reducing energy consumption.
Executives experience inspirational behind the scenes tours and also
get the chance to take a closer look at the Zoo's green technologies.
With our large network of sustainability facilitators and content
providers organizations leave the workshop with the tools to succeed
in their sustainability journey.
The program also offers tailor-made workshops to reinvigorate, or
create, green team strategies for individual organizations.
To learn more scan here!
25
The Ontario BioBlitz brings together scientists and knowledgeable
members of the public to try to identify as many plant, animal, and
fungal species as possible over a 24-hour period. Over a 15-year period
the Ontario BioBlitz will document life in the 4 major watersheds of the
Greater Toronto Area with the flagship event the Ontario BioBlitz and
provide support and direction to groups around Ontario wishing to run
their own bioblitz. In 2014, Toronto Zoo partnered with key
conservation organizations: ROM, McMichael Canadian Art Collection,
TRCA, Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Kortright Centre, EVC and
Ontario Nature to document all life in the Humber Valley watershed
while educating Ontario about the importance of our biological
diversity. Annual surveys will be conducted each year over the next 15
years in the 4 Greater Toronto Area watersheds: Rouge Valley, Humber
River, Don River, and Credit River, then returning to the Rouge National
Urban Park in 2017 for Canada’s Sesquicentennial.
Scan here to discover
more about BioBlitz
2015!
26
Great Lakes: Redside DaceConservation and
Community Involvement
(C. Lee, V. Vijayakanthan, M. Whibbs)
Great Lakes Outreach
Program
(V. Vijayakanthan, M. Whibbs, C. Lee)
The Great Lakes Program is a free,
bilingual, curriculum-based outreach
program. Presentations are offered to
schools, libraries, scout groups and
environmental organizations. The
Program is offered in English and
French. As a new initiative, our
brochures are available in Punjabi,
Urdu and Mandarin, in addition to
English and French, to reflect
changing cultural communities.
Students, educators, and their families
are encouraged to “Keep Our Great
Lakes Great!” while learning about
local fish species at risk, freshwater
mussels, and water conservation. The
Program focuses on several primary
fish species at risk including Atlantic
salmon (extirpated), redside dace
(endangered), eastern sand darter
(threatened), American eel
(endangered in Ontario), and lake
sturgeon (threatened), while
encompassing an ecosystem
perspective on multiple species at risk
(terrestrial and aquatic). The Great
Lakes/ Aqua-Links Programs reaches
over 20,000 participants annually.
The redside dace is federally recognized
as an endangered species (COSEWIC).
Since the redside dace was formerly
found in the Rouge River located on
Toronto Zoo property, it represents a
program to conserve a species in the
Zoo’s own backyard. The Zoo is
undertaking rehabilitation projects for
the Morningside Tributary and local
rivers with our partner, Ontario Streams.
The curatorial team of Fishes and Marine
Invertebrates, have been a members of
the national recovery team which are
now undertaking its action plan in an
effort to responsibly maintain this
species.
Fish Rescue
(C. Lee)
Many calls to donate unwanted pet fishes to the
Zoo are received throughout the year. As it is not
possible to hold them at the Toronto Zoo, we work
with a diverse group of partners to relocate
unwanted aquaria. By reducing the number of
foreign aquarium fish and plants that are released
by owners into Canadian ecosystems, the Fish
Rescue program hopes to avoid problems with
these introduced species that out-compete and
prey on native flora and fauna.
Sustainable Seafood and Shark Conservation
(C. Lee, V. Vijayakanthan, M. Whibbs)
Since 2008, Toronto Zoo has been a partner of Seafood Watch, a program dedicated
to raising awareness on sustainable seafood issues, and encouraging sustainable
consumer behavior. The Toronto Zoo aims to raise awareness of sustainable seafood
and shark conservation issues, dispel myths surrounding sharks, and to ultimately
decrease consumption and use of shark products. Early development of the Toronto
Zoo’s shark conservation program will focus on promoting Seafood Watch, working
with existing international organizations, and collaborating with university
environmental and cultural clubs.
27
Aqua Links - Lake Victoria Education Initiatives
Building upon the success of the Great Lakes Outreach Program, the goal of
Aqua-Links is to educate students about the water quality issues facing these
two Great Lakes regions of the world, and the importance of conserving this
precious resource by putting them in direct contact via the internet. This
linking is made possible through contacts gained from the Lake Victoria Species
Survival Plan in East Africa. The program objectives are accomplished through
classroom visits and lessons by program coordinators in both countries.
Additionally, students in Toronto raise Atlantic salmon, a locally endangered
species, right in the classroom and release them into the wild, while students in
Uganda gain hands-on experience at NaFIRRI – the National Fisheries Resource
Research Institute – with locally endangered cichlids.
Classroom Hatchery: Atlantic Salmon Recovery Program
The Atlantic salmon project’s objective is to assist the Recovery Team and provide classroom
aquaria to rear Atlantic salmon, and links with the Great Lakes Outreach Program. Each
January approximately 100 “eyed” Atlantic salmon eggs are reared at the Zoo, and 100
Atlantic salmon eggs are also distributed to each participating school. Students release their
salmon fry every spring at specific locations on designated tributaries of Lake Ontario.
28
Animal Outreach
Public Involvement & Curriculum Links
3,342 encounters in 2014
Meet-the-Keeper
Talks
Toronto Zoo keepers
provide engaging and
educational talks to
visitors at scheduled times
and locations throughout
the day. During Meet-theKeeper talks, keepers
discuss individual species
along with topics such as
their feeding habits in the
wild and captivity, family
dynamics, gender-based
differences, threats to
survival in the wild, and
conservation efforts that
are currently in place or are
needed to guarantee
species survival.
Amazing Animal
Show
Engaged 37,630 guests in 2014
Keeper talks had 136,202 visitors for 2014
In many ways, education and conservation are inseparable. For many of the Zoo’s research efforts to have an
impact, the public must be made aware of the significance of good environmental stewardship and the need to
maintain biodiversity in natural ecosystems. The Conservation, Education & Wildlife Division have several
projects that reflect the Zoo’s dedication to the preservation of fellowship between biodiversity and the public.
The Amazing Animal Show
is an interactive opportunity
for visitors to see first-hand
some of the Zoo’s amazing
animals in action! Located
at the Waterside Theatre,
this show is a must see for
visitors of all ages,
captivating their awe and
interest as the performers fly
overhead or show-off their
incredible natural talents
through activities on stage.
29
Casual
Encounters
The Casual Encounters
program offers visitors
unexpected
opportunities to meet
animals and Keepers in
public areas across the
Zoo site. The
interactive and up close
encounters with animals
outside of their
enclosures delight
visitors and also offer a
perfect photo
opportunity and a
chance to meet the
Keeper.
Animal Outreach Program
The Toronto Zoo’s outreach program
introduces some of the Zoo's amazing animals
to the community and to further the Zoo's
vision of "inspiring people to love, respect and
protect wildlife and wild spaces." There were
18 off site visits in 2014.
Please visit torontozoo.com/Animal Outreach
for more details.
Waterside Theatre
This spectacular open air
theatre invites visitors to
participate in family-friendly
events such as interactive
animal shows, cultural festivals
and concerts. The theatre is
completely barrier free and is
pleasantly landscaped with
surrounding natural plantings.
It can seat up to 1,300 people
for an event.
Kids Zoo
The Kids Zoo is divided into
different Canadian habitat
sections, each packed with
several fun and interactive
activities. The Kids Zoo
represents the Toronto
Zoo’s belief that early
positive exposure to animals
fosters greater compassion
and concern for animals
later in life. Kids get up
close with rabbits, goats,
capybaras, ferrets and more!
30
Wildlife Enrichment
Enrichment is a process involving the introduction of stimuli to promote natural behaviours of animals in a captive setting and
enhance welfare. The Toronto Zoo’s Behavioural Husbandry team has been working to provide animals with choice and
control over their environments. This is achieved by introducing various enrichment options on a daily basis. Enrichment is
ultimately striving to produce species-specific behaviours and reduce stress. The program is constantly developing new
techniques to introduce to animals across the Zoo, giving them a wide variety of activities to enhance their lives each week.
31
Enrichment Program
Program Goals
Substances or activities that lead to the stimulation of the animal’s key senses, such
as sight, olfactory, and taste.
Environmental
Sensory
Enrichment provides stimulation of various senses which allows the Zoo’s animals to gain skills that are learned in
the wild, to perform a variety of their natural behaviours and to encourage them to exercise problem-solving
techniques; and thus, increase brain stimulation.
Attempt to provide a positive environment by allowing animals to interact with each
other or another species.
Methods to increase time spent searching for food and encourage investigating, hunting,
searching and manipulation in order to obtain food. Such examples include feeders,
games and puzzles which provide occupational enrichment and mental stimulation.
Enrichment Devices and Initiatives:
Foraging
Social
Species-specific alterations of an exhibit to better meet the needs of the animal physically
and socially. Examples include hammocks, waterfalls, substrate materials, perches, and dens.
Boomer Balls, Stuffed Shavings Bags/Boxes, various types
of Puzzle Feeders, Scattered Food, New Scents, Nesting Materials, Substrate Piles, Popsicles, Environmental Changes
Enrichment Graphics & Signage: “There is garbage in the exhibit” or “There is something in the
tree” are common misconceptions made by the public regarding enrichment. Signs have been added across the Zoo
to inform visitors of enrichment goals, tools and techniques. This will inform the public of what enrichment is, why we
do it, and how we are reusing and recycling products to responsibly enrich the lives of the animals.
32
Enrichment Extravaganza
Come and join the fun! Every week a different animal receives a special enrichment surprise, that is both entertaining
and educational! Check out our Enrichment Extravaganza calendar for our featured wildlife.
See: http://www.torontozoo.com/ExploreTheZoo/enrichment/
Training
2014 Highlights
The Behavioural Husbandry Program uses positive reinforcement training with the goal of making transportation,
veterinary visits and human interaction less stressful.
Current training projects include:

Voluntary injection training for large cat species and primates

Voluntary blood draws from great ape species, rhinos & cats

Crate training for bird and mammal species to avoid netting & manual restraint
when exams or transportation

Scale training, in order to obtain regular weights for a variety of animals, to ensure this routine activity is stress-free

Presentation of various body parts for examination
Checking for Baby Pandas
Both the red panda and the giant panda have dwindling wild populations in their native habitat.
As part of these animals’ Species Survival Plans (SSP), successful breeding is essential to maintain
their existence. Toronto Zoo’s Wildlife Care are pleased to have both the red and giant pandas
trained to present themselves willingly for ultrasounds, physical check ups and blood draws. These
are monumental steps needed to assess the health of both the parents and their baby’s
development .
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Crate Training Polar Bears
Crate training a puppy is easy compared to a
polar bear! Inukshuk is one of three polar bears
that calls the Toronto Zoo home. He was
orphaned in 2003 and has a long history of
fearing his crate. Finally after years of trust and
relationship building with keepers, he will enter his crate easily and when cued will display the behaviour asked by
his trainers. Being able to enter the crate readily and show the desired positions or poses is needed for veterinary
staff to examine the health of the bears.
Time for a checkup, Jaguar style!
The Toronto Zoo Wildlife Care team check their jaguars daily to ensure the cats are in excellent health. You can
imagine taking a jaguar to the vet can be difficult, so the Wildlife Care keepers have trained the animals to exhibit
certain behaviours, which are part of their physical checkups. This year the jaguars can present their underside and
tails for physical examinations by veterinary staff when given a target and command.
“Otter” Training
The Toronto Zoo Wildlife Care staff have been working with the
highly intelligent spotted necked otters to perform many new behaviours on cue. These include: presenting their body parts and
standing still for physical examinations by vets; standing on the
weigh scale, following target to stand on hind legs; reaching up to
the target for a good look of bellies and, following commands to
go in and out of the pool and spinning too!
34
Research Initiatives
The goal of the Research branch is to use resources available at the Zoo, such as staff expertise and knowledge of flora
and fauna, in the recovery efforts for national and international Species at Risk, ultimately preserving biodiversity
worldwide. Exhibits at the Zoo are linked with conservation projects that work to ensure the security and preservation
of the habitats which sustain natural populations.
The public are provided information regarding the Zoo’s programs to save and protect species through several creative
mediums, such as signs and large scale diorama models. Additionally, symposia related to these issues and efforts are
held at the Toronto Zoo, through our partnerships to foster cross-institutional collaborations.
35
Captive Breeding & Reintroduction
For over 40 years the Toronto Zoo has been saving and
protecting species both at home and abroad. The
captive breeding and reintroduction programs have
brought back many of Canada’s native wildlife from
the brink of extinction. For example the trumpeter
swan was extirpated from Southern Ontario for over
300 years until the Toronto Zoo bred and released 100
Alaskan trumpeter swans back into the Rouge River
Watershed. Since 1992 there have been over 1154
sightings of Trumpeter Swans and their young on the
Toronto Zoo property. On the global stage, the
Toronto Zoo contributes to species conservation
through the Endangered Species Reserve Fund, which
provides support to organizations, programs and
projects that combat the loss of species like the Indian Rhinoceros and Puerto Rican Crested Toad. These contributions
allowed for 236 case studies of reintroduction and translocation worldwide [1]. This section highlights the 2014-2015
projects that adds to the roster of successful reintroductions which include the Special Concern Wood Bison,
Threatened Blanding’s Turtle and Extirpated Atlantic Salmon.
[1] Soorae, P.S. (ed)(2013), Global Re-introduction Perspectives: 2013. Further case studies from around the globe . Gland. Switzerland: IUCN/SSC
Re-introduction Specialist Group and Abu Dhabi. UAE: Environment Agency-Bu Dhabi. xiv + 282pp.
Black-footed Ferret Conservation Recovery Program
(Maria Franke, Gerri Mintha, Nigel Parr)
The Toronto Zoo has been involved in the recovery program for the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela
nigripes) since 1992. Since then the Toronto Zoo has produced hundreds of baby ferrets (kits) and has
reintroduced animals to prairie habitat in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Genetically valuable animals
are kept in the Species Survival Plan program for future breeding. This
program is a high priority for the Zoo as we attempt to re-establish
black-footed ferret populations across North America. The Toronto
Zoo spearheaded Canadian black-footed ferret recovery efforts in
2009 and since then 75 captive-bred ferrets have been released into
Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. The Park now supports
Canada’s first wild population of black-footed ferrets
since they were extirpated several decades ago,
although infectious diseases still threaten their
survival. Toronto Zoo staff have been active in
ferret monitoring, conducting annual surveys
and health assessments, and administering
vaccines. Field researchers also monitor the
status of prairie dogs, the ferrets’ preferred
prey, since they, too, are threatened by
disease. As this highly successful program
pertains to an endangered Canadian species, it is of great conservation significance.
36
Vancouver
Island Marmot
Conservation
Recovery
Program
(Maria Franke, Paula Roberts, Nigel Parr)
One of only five mammals endemic to Canada, the Vancouver
Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is a criticallyendangered species found only on (surprise!) Vancouver
Island, British Columbia. Their numbers have steadily
declined over the past 30 years because of predation and
habitat alteration. At one point the wild population dwindled
to only 30 individuals making the Vancouver Island marmot
North America's most endangered mammal. In 1997, the
Toronto Zoo received six wild-caught marmots to found
today’s captive population. The captive breeding program
has been very successful. In 2014, 18 marmot pups were born.
Since the start of the program, 162 litters and 551 pups have
been produced. Reintroductions of marmots to Vancouver
Island have occurred since 2003 and, to date, 445 captiveborn marmots have been released. These animals now inhabit
27 mountains on the island. At least 37 pups were born in the
wild this past year and the marmot population is now
estimated to be between 215 and 277 individuals. The
miraculous recovery of the wild marmot population attests to
the value of zoo-based conservation, captive breeding and
release programs.
Managed Cooperative Breeding Programmes
(Dr. A. Lentini, R. Vos)
Many species at risk of extinction have managed assurance populations. Toronto Zoo Records staff, Curatorial
staff, Wildlife Health Centre and Nutrition staff maintain studbook and animal care data to ensure that
populations are managed scientifically to maintain demographic and genetic health. Wildlife Care staff
maintains appropriate breeding pairs and environmental conditions to facilitate breeding recommendations
each year. Through the Curatorial Collection Plan, all amphibian and reptile species in the population are
managed to sustain their populations and are linked to conservation of the species and its habitat in the wild
through conservation programmes. In addition to align with Toronto Zoo’s own conservation priorities, some
species programmes are managed cooperatively between zoos and these include formal programs for four
amphibians and 21 reptiles of the 70 species in our Zoo’s population.
37
Saving North & South Americas
Amphibians
Amphibian Breeding Centre - Americas Staff
The Amphibian Breeding Centre in the Americas pavilion provides a window into some of the Zoo’s important
breeding initiatives. This area is dedicated to explain the plight of several Central American frogs, including the
iconic Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki), lemur leaf frog, and glass frog, which are threatened by the
chytrid fungus, an emerging disease that is responsible for global amphibian declines.
Management, Outreach,
Amphibian Rescue Centre
Amphibian Rescue Centre
Husbandry, and Re-
(ARC) Husbandry and
(ARC) Husbandry and
introduction Program for the
Reintroduction Program for the
Reintroduction Program for the
Puerto Rican Crested Toad
Oregon Spotted Frog
Wyoming Toad
(Dr. A. Lentini, R. Vos)
(Dr. A. Lentini, R. Vos)
(Dr. A. Lentini, R. Vos)
A management program for the
care and breeding of the Puerto
Rican crested toad was
developed at the Toronto Zoo
and has been updated as an AZA
Husbandry Manual and
translated into Spanish. This
captive management protocol
guides over 20 institutions in the
SSP. A complete historical
studbook was completed and
published as well to provide
essential demographic and
genetic data to the Species
Survival Plan which makes
breeding and transfer
recommendations based on the
mean kinship value and age of
toads. This management tool
provides the data to genetically
and demographically manage
the species for re-introduction
to the wild.
Due to population crashes in the
wild, the Oregon spotted frog
received an emergency listing as
endangered in Canada and is only
known from three breeding ponds in
British Columbia. At the request of
the British Columbia government
and the National Recovery Team,
Toronto Zoo will hold an assurance
colony to ensure that the remaining
genetic biodiversity is not lost and
to provide frogs for re-introduction
to the wild. One of two isolation
quarantine rooms in Toronto Zoo’s
Amphibian Rescue Centre (ARC) is
dedicated to this species.
In 1990, the Toronto Zoo was
invited to assist the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to provide
management recommendations to
ensure the survival of the
Wyoming toad. Since these first
discussions, the species was
declared extinct in the wild and
only survives from SSP captive
managed populations. One of two
isolation quarantine rooms in
Toronto Zoo’s Amphibian Rescue
Centre (ARC) is dedicated to this
species.
38
Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Captive
Breeding Program
(K. Kerr, S. Hollamby, C. Guthrie, L. Attard,
Wildlife Preservation Canada, McGill University,
CWS, OMNR)
The Eastern loggerhead shrike recovery program has released over
700 shrikes and now been demonstrated that some of the birds
returning to breed each year have been produced through the
captive breeding program. Increased predation and the presence of
West Nile virus are factors that have affected birds in captivity and
the wild. The loggerhead shrike recovery program has gained some
recognition in conservation circles and several zoos in the United
States have expressed interest in becoming involved. The ELOSH
Recovery Team is actively seeking new institutions to participate as
captive breeding centers.
Reproductive Research Initiatives
Investigation of Key
Physiological
Measurement to Evaluate
Loggerhead Shrike
Success in Captivity
(T. Luloff, G. Mastromonaco)
The Eastern loggerhead shrike is currently
classified as nationally endangered and
ongoing threats from habitat loss and other
human-related pressures have resulted in a
drastic decline in the number of breeding
pairs remaining in Southern Ontario. The
goals of this study are to evaluate
reproductive and stress hormone levels in
feces and feathers from loggerhead shrikes in
various southern Ontario captive breeding
sites in an attempt to understand the
underlying factors influencing reproductive
success among breeding pairs in the different
captive populations. This study will provide
valuable information to enhance loggerhead
shrike captive breeding programs.
Non-surgical Artificial
Insemination in the Cheetah
(G. Mastromonaco, S. O’Handley, C. Gartley, M. Franke)
REF NO. 2009-05-04
Artificial insemination (AI) in cheetahs is a necessary tool to
enhance the genetic contribution of all animals in the
breeding program. Recent advancements in AI technique
and equipment in small animals (canids and felids) bring
about the possibility of obtaining success using a nonsurgical approach: transcervical insemination. This is a novel
approach in large non-domesticated cats, and a valuable,
stress-reducing modification to the AI technique. In recent
years, modifications in hormone regimens have resulted in
improved ovulatory responses in young and aged female
cheetahs. This is an important step towards increasing the
chances of success following insemination.
39
Hormonal Evaluation
of Reproductive and
Adrenal Function
(G, Mastromonaco, C.
Gilman, S. O'Handley)
Cytogenic Evaluation of Captive and
Free-Range Non-Domestic Animals
(G. Mastromonaco, S. O’Handley)
REF NO. 2009-03-01
Screening for chromosome abnormalities is an important prerequisite
for all animals breeding strategies as they play a role in reduced fertility.
Compromised reproductive performance is due to the production of
chromosomally unbalanced sperm and oocytes, which lead to the death
of the embryos and/or fetuses at early stages of development. Selection
of normal donor animals for long-term banking of their genetic material
is crucial to the successful production of future embryos and offspring.
Biopsy samples taken during routine health procedures are grown to
produce cell lines, which are then evaluated for chromosomal
composition.
As part of service activities in the
Reproductive Physiology Laboratory,
hormone analyses are conducted using
a variety of traditional (serum, saliva,
urine, feces) and alternative (hair,
feather, nails, skin) matrices to aid in
the evaluation of normal reproductive
cycles, reproductive seasonality,
pregnancy status, contraceptive
effectiveness, gender, and effects of
stress and environmental changes.
Services are provided for a variety of
species, including: tiger, cheetah, lion,
clouded leopard, caribou, rhinoceros,
zebra, wood bison, and many others.
Research studies are carried out using
samples collected from captive and
wild animals. These studies are done in
collaboration with other zoos,
universities, or wildlife organizations.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies as a Method of Embryo Production in the
Wood Bison
(G. Mastromonaco, A. King, M. Franke, G. Crawshaw, Bison Reproduction Research Group
[BRRG]) REF NO. 2008-02-01
Wood bison are currently listed as threatened and the conservation of the remaining free-ranging populations is at risk
due to the ongoing presence of disease such as tuberculosis, brucellosis. Reproductive biotechnologies may be the
best way to preserve the germplasm of the remaining individuals and develop methods to produce non-infected offspring. Our research initiatives, including our partners at the University of Saskatchewan, is to develop appropriate
techniques for embryo production in bison, including ovarian synchronization, superovulation, artificial insemination,
and embryo transfer. These data will ultimately be beneficial in understanding why in vitro embryo production techniques have not been overly successful in a variety of bovid species. To date, we have produced young male and female
bison calves from artificial insemination using both cooled and frozen sperm.
2 New Babies in 2014
40
Habitat & Species-Specific Research
Conservation Partnerships for Recovery of Canadian and other Amphibians & Reptiles
(Dr. A. Lentini, Toronto Zoo Endangered Species Recovery Fund, Adopt-A-Pond)
Toronto Zoo amphibian and reptile curatorial staff, through the Endangered Species Reserve Fund, target programmes
that demonstrate innovation, community partnerships, and applied research projects for the recovery of species at risk.
Past and current projects include:
Blanding’s turtle and wood turtle nest surveys, population monitoring, and head starting, Ontario
Ontario wetland assessment and restoration
Guatemalan Beaded lizard community based conservation
Conservation of Tomistoma in Indonesia
Radiated tortoise community based conservation in Madagascar
Burmese star tortoise and Southeast Asian turtle conservation in Myanmar, India and Bangladesh
Wyoming toad population and habitat surveys, USA
Spotted frog population monitoring, British Columbia
Frog rescue and invertebrate rearing, El Valle Amphibian Conservation Centre, Panama
West African dwarf crocodile population monitoring, Ivory Coast
Community based conservation of the golden mantella frog in Madagascar
Urban Turtle Initiative –
Management of Turtle
Populations in Rouge
Park
Turtle Species at Risk
Head-Starting
Program
(Dr. A. Lentini, J. Phillips, C.
Robertson, S. Ritchie)
(Dr. A. Lentini, J. Phillips, C. Robertson;
S. Ritchie)
Toronto Zoo participates in head
-starting programs for two
species of Canadian turtles.
Working with partners at the
Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Parks Canada,
hatchling Species at Risk turtles
are being raised at Toronto Zoo
until they are two years old and
ready for release back to the
wild. This two year boost in
growth helps ensure that a
greater proportion of young
turtles will survive to adulthood
since their larger size means that
most predators will not be able
to swallow them.
The Urban Turtle Initiative (UTI) is a
collection of research projects to
investigate habitat use and population
recovery of Species at Risk turtles in
the Rouge Park in the Greater Toronto
Area. Since 1999, Toronto Zoo staff
have used radio telemetry to track the
movement and habitat use of a variety
of species in the Park, including
snapping turtles, map turtles and
Blanding’s turtles. The information
collected through this research
program helps recovery experts
implement projects to protect urban
populations and is used to assist land
managers in restoring critical wetland
and upland habitat for Species at Risk.
41
Response to Global Amphibian Declines
(Dr. A. Lentini, Zoo staff Africa, Americas, Australasia, Indo
Malaya; Wildlife Health Centre)
Global declines of amphibians require an urgent response.
Staff at Toronto Zoo have contributed to the recovery of
endangered amphibians for many years. This is in part due to
our success in breeding many amphibian species to maintain
demographically and genetically managed assurance
populations in case of loss of wild populations and
developing educational resources for community
involvement in backyard conservation. Toronto
Zoo opened an Amphibian Breeding Centre
and Amphibian Rescue Centre with two
dedicated isolation rooms to increase our
capacity to hold and breed at-risk amphibian
species from Canada and the world’s amphibian decline
hotspots. In 2014 we bred 3 critically endangered amphibian
species as part of international conservation projects and
produced a total of 3975 offspring of which 1668 were
returned to the wild.
Response to Asian Turtle Crisis and the
Bushmeat Trade
(Dr. A. Lentini, Zoo staff: Africa, Indo-Malaya, and Wildlife Health
Centre)
With 90 species, Asia has the richest turtle and tortoise diversity in the
world. However, in recent decades, the future of almost every such
species has been put at risk for various reasons. Loss of natural forest
threatens over 65 of the 90 turtle and tortoise species in South East Asia.
Turtles and tortoises have been used by Southeast Asian cultures for
thousands of years for nutritional, medicinal and cultural purposes.
However, the more recent rise in demand for these species has led to
unsustainable and illegal harvesting of turtles and tortoises from the
wild. This includes species listed as
threatened by IUCN and/or CITES species
at risk with either restricted or prohibited
trade. This project spreads awareness of
the Asian turtle crisis and bushmeat
trade, and educates visitors on how they
can help to conserve turtle and tortoise
species by supporting Certified Wood
Products. We support the Turtle Survival
Alliance with funding for community
based turtle conservation projects in
Madagascar, Myanmar, India,
Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
42
Management, Outreach,
Husbandry,
Research
and Reintroduction
Program for
the Puerto Rican Crested
Toad
(Dr. A. Lentini, R. Vos, WHC and WNC
staff)
Toronto Zoo has maintained an
assurance population of this species
since its re-discovery in the 1980’s.
Captive animals provide a genetic
resource to supplement wild
populations through re-introduction of
over 141,000 tadpoles born at Toronto
Zoo. An AZA Husbandry Manual for the
care and breeding of the Puerto Rican
crested toad was developed at the
Toronto Zoo and has been translated
into Spanish. An International
Studbook was completed and
published. This important document
provided essential demographic and
genetic data to the Species Survival
Plan (SSP) to genetically and
demographically manage the species
for re-introduction to the wild. Based
on recommendations from a genetic
researcher, Toronto Zoo was one of the
first to cross breed toads from the
northern and southern populations to
capture declining genetic diversity and
to provide tadpoles for
release in areas where it
has been extirpated.
Axolotl and Lake Xochimilco, Mexico, Creating Sanctuaries and
Habitat Restoration
(Dr. A. Lentini, L. Zambrano, E. Valente)
The goal of this project is to provide lake remediation and save a species from extinction. The axolotl is a critically
Endangered Species found only in Lake Xochimilco, in Mexico City. The Toronto Zoo participated in a stakeholder
meeting to develop conservation actions with Restauración Ecológica y Desarrollo A.C and other Mexican partners.
These include long-term biological monitoring and research on metapopulation structuring within the lake and captive
assurance populations; ecotoxicology of lake sediments; impacts and control of introduced species; zoo-based disease
screening and pathology studies of captive and wild axolotl populations; zoo and community outreach programs;
community based social studies to evaluate stakeholder attitudes and participation; collaborations with local food
producers, farmers (chanamperos) and fishers to restore traditional agricultural practices; and training for Lake
Xochimilco boat operators (remeros) to provide ecotourism income and axolotl conservation awareness.
Milk Snake Population Monitoring in Rouge Park
(Dr. A. Lentini, Dr. J Row, P. Yannuzzi) REF No. 2013-02-15
A comprehensive study of the Rouge Park milk snake population and habitat use is currently being conducted to better
understand the ecology (e.g. abundance, habitat use, distribution, movements, road mortality impact on population
sustainability, etc.) of this Species at Risk (SAR). This study will ultimately result in the development of a management
plan that will include recommendations for habitat restoration and comprehensive road mitigation measures (such as
ecopassages) that target protection of this SAR. Mitigation (habitat mitigation, stewardship and snake crossing road
signs) may be necessary to raise awareness and help reduce the occurrence of snake/vehicle collisions.
Massasauga Rattlesnake Management,
Outreach, Research and Husbandry
Program
(Dr. A. Lentini, R. Vos, C. Robertson)
The massasauga is Ontario’s only venomous species and
the Toronto Zoo is a founding member of the National
Recovery team for this species. The massasauga is
considered endangered, threatened or of special
concern within its current range. The Zoo holds two
public workshops “Living with Wildlife” that
features the massasauga and other species of at
risk snakes. An SSP was established in 2006 to
enhance conservation efforts in the field while
increasing public awareness through
educational programs and exhibits.
Long-term Monitoring of an
Eastern Massasauga
Rattlesnake Population in
Southwest Michigan
(Project Investigators: Dr. L. Faust, M. Redmer,
M. McCuistion, Toronto Zoo Participants: Dr. A.
Lentini, R. Vos, T. Long)
An AZA Husbandry Manual for the care and breeding of
these rattlesnakes was developed for the SSP. Toronto
Zoo actively participates in a multi-year field project
conducted by the SSP in south-western Michigan. The
goal of the research is to gather baseline demographic
data, habitat use and behavioral ecology for this species
in the wild.
43
Toronto Zoo is participating in multi-year
population surveys being conducted as part of a
field conservation project run by the
Massasauga Species Survival Plan (SSP) at the
Edward Lowe Foundation, a private foundation
with property in South Western Michigan. The
Massasauga is listed as a threatened species in
Canada and is a candidate species for federal
listing in the USA. This long-term monitoring
project uses mark-recapture methods for up to
five years to study population dynamics over
time for these snakes.
Investigating the Diet Composition of a
Threatened Ontario Songbird, the Barn
Swallow
(K. Kerr, B. McClenaghan , E. Nol (Trent), BIO)
The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is one of the few native
species at risk that naturally inhabits the Toronto Zoo site and is
likely the only one encountered by visitors. Sadly, this species has
declined in the province by 66% since 1970. The province has
identified the filling of knowledge gaps as one of the key
objectives in the recovery strategy. We will be using a genetic
identification method – namely, DNA barcoding – to determine
the abundance of diversity of insect species in barn swallow diet
and habitat. The influence of these factors on barn swallow
nesting success will be assessed to gauge the recovery needs for
this species.
Canadian National Parks
Malaise Program
Freshwater Mussels
Field Program
(J. deWaard (BIO), K. Kerr, L. Attard)
Malaise traps are very effective sampling
devices for many groups of insects. This
program capitalizes on this sampling capacity
to gain a more detailed understanding of
geographic patterns in Canadian arthropod
diversity. The Biodiversity Institute of Ontario
(BIO) at the University of Guelph, in
partnership with Parks Canada, will be using
Malaise traps in 14 national parks each year to
collect over 20,000 insect specimens, which
will be identified genetically using ‘DNA
barcodes’. These DNA sequences will be
added to an online database (i.e. Barcode of
Life Data System) and will enable the
quantification of biodiversity patterns in
Canada. Toronto Zoo has maintained and
monitored two malaise traps to collect insect
specimens representing the Rouge Valley.
The Great Lakes team have continued as year three, the field program, to investigate the species of freshwater
mussels present in tributaries of Lake Ontario. There is a paucity of data for mussels in Ontario waters, other
than south western Ontario – a mussel hotspot. These field surveys are contributing important information on
density, identification and habitat data for these endangered aquatic invertebrates.
44
Mussels Public Campaign: I am Important! I am Protected!
Toronto Zoo has a concerted campaign to raise public (and scientific) awareness for these
highly endangered native invertebrates. Few people know of the role of mussels
(popularly known as clams) in our rivers and lakes. First launched in 2011 under the
umbrella of the Zoo’s successful Great Lakes Program, this campaign includes outdoor
posters for waterfront landowners or lakeside bulletin boards in cottage country. Zoo
staff travel for presentations and to community events to enlighten Ontario citizens. New
for 2015 – social media messaging is being developed! Stay tuned or scan to learn more.
Freshwater mussels are important because they:

filter the contaminants from large quantities of water

are indicators of good water quality

are a food source for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals
Culture of Freshwater Mussels
In 2014, the Zoo partnered in a mussel culture project with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at Normandale Fish
Culture Station. The culture of freshwater mussels is a challenging endeavor, as their early life stages are parasitic on fish
and the survival of these early life stages is not yet well understood. Four species were involved in the 2014 project with
detailed rearing protocols to produced. The Toronto Zoo is continuing to work on this project with Kansas City Zoo and a
PhD student from Missouri State University.
Lake Victoria Cichlids
The perch-like fishes of Lake Victoria, Africa have the dubious distinction of being documented
in the IUCN Red Book as the greatest extinction in recent times. North American Zoos are
working together holding breeding populations of these fishes under an SSP. Toronto Zoo has
been an active participant since the program’s inception in the late 1980s. We currently hold
five species including the pelagic Oreochromis eculentus. The Toronto Zoo’s Aqua-Links program
focuses on connecting students in Ontario with E. African classes and represents a novel in situ
approach to public awareness of Great Lakes issues.
45
Madagascar Freshwater Fishes Breeding
The Toronto Zoo’s Madagascar fishes project works with international partners to conserve the island’s
endangered fishes and protect aquatic habitats. Toronto Zookeeper, Tim McCaskie, travelled to Madagascar in
2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014 to study these endangered fishes. In 2014, Tim and his team confirmed the
existence of a rare rainbow fish called Rheocles derhami. These fishes were brought back to an aquaculture
facility in northeastern Madagascar where it is hoped they will breed. Approximately 80 offspring of six species
(Ptychochromis insolitus, Ptychochromis loisellei, Paretroplus loisellei, Rheocles vatasoa, Bedotia sambava and
Paratilapia sp. Andapa) that had been collected in previous years and brought to the aquaculture facility for
breeding were transported to Toronto as founder fishes for the AZA Madagascar Species Survival Plan and its
international partners. The future goal is to distribute offspring of these fishes to other institutions as part of the
breeding program and to exhibit them for conservation purposes.
Behavioural Studies
Behavioural Assessment of Giant Pandas
(Maria Franke, Dr. S. MacDonald, Gabe Magnus)
The purpose of this project is to establish baseline data on the behaviour of
giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Er Shun and Da Mao. A behavioural
profile of the animals will be compiled, providing data on what types of
behaviours the animals engage in, what their daily schedule is like, what kinds
of enrichment items they prefer, and what areas of the exhibits they spend
their time in. As well, important breeding behaviours and morphological
changes will be recorded and correlated with hormone profiles to better
understand giant panda estrus and timing of breeding. Observations will be
conducted throughout the year, both in person as well as via camera
recordings, so we can obtain data representing their behaviour over periods of
24 hours, through the day and night.
46
Veterinary Research
Investigating Enteric
Coccidiosis in the
Endangered Black-Footed
Ferret (Mustela nigripes)
A. Pastor, J. Barta, S. Hollamby, D. Smith
Black-footed ferrets are the only native North American ferret species and
are one of the most endangered North American carnivores. Coccidia are
microscopic parasites that affect many different animal species, and disease
caused by these parasites is a major cause of death in young black-footed ferrets.
The signs of this disease include mucoid diarrhea, lethargy, appetite loss, vomiting, and
dehydration; often animals may be found dead without any previous signs. There is a
significant information gap regarding the nature of this disease in ferrets, including methods
for treatment and prevention. Ponazuril, an anti-parasitic medication, is currently recommended
for the treatment of coccidiosis in black-footed ferrets. No information exists on the safety or
efficacy of ponazuril in any ferret species, and there have not been studies validating the use of this
medication at the current recommended dosage and dosage schedule. Furthermore, previous frequent use
of another anti-parasitic, sulfadimethoxine, in black-footed ferrets is believed to have resulted in resistance to
the drug and other side-effects. In order to continue successful captive breeding efforts, the management of
coccidiosis is imperative. However, without further investigation, inappropriate and ubiquitous use of current drug
therapies may result in the loss of effective treatments. In this study, we will attempt to better characterize the
coccidia isolated from the black-footed ferret population, assess potential alternative anti-parasitic medications, and
investigate the production of an anti-coccidial vaccine.
Anesthesia of Puerto Rican Crested Toads
(Peltophryne [Bufo] lemur) by Intracoelomic
Administration of Alfaxan (alfaxalone)
A. Nielsen, C. Dutton
Currently, the method of choice for amphibian anesthesia is by
immersion in buffered tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222). This
method is reliable, efficient, and is presumed to have analgesic as
well as anesthetic effects. However, this product is supplied as a
powder and is very acidic. It must be weighed out accurately,
mixed in water, and buffered to appropriate pH prior to each
anesthesia, which is time consuming, requires sensitive scales, and
increases the risk of self-exposure. The aim of this study is to
investigate an alternative method of anaesthetic induction in
anurans, more specifically, to investigate the safety and
effectiveness of Alfaxan (alfaxalone) administered into the coelom
at different doses in Puerto Rican crested toads. Alfaxalone is a
neuroactive steroid and general anaesthetic. It is available as an
injectable aqueous solution and so can be easily diluted. It has
been used safely and effectively in mammals, reptiles, amphibians,
and fish.
47
Factors influencing mortality in a captive breeding population of Loggerhead
Shrike, Eastern subspecies (Lanius ludovicianus ssp.) in Canada
The loggerhead shrike, Eastern subspecies
(Lanius ludovicianus ssp.) is a predatory
songbird native to Eastern North
America. It is estimated that there
are fewer than 55 breeding pairs
of this subspecies in North
America. Captive breeding plays a
critical role in preventing the
extirpation of this subspecies from its
Canadian range. Unfortunately, high
numbers of unexplained deaths among young
birds in the captive breeding population
threaten the success of this program. This
project aims to investigate fledgling mortality
in the captive breeding population, seeks to
identify factors associated with fledgling
survival and, ultimately, to identify steps to
mitigate fledgling mortality.
E.J. Parmley, D.L. Pearl, N.A.
Vogt, S. Yates, G.D. Campbell, J.
Steiner, T.L. Imlay, S. Hollamby,
K. Tuining, Ian K. Barker
Nutritional Research
An Investigation into the Efficacy of Two Types of Commercial Feeder Crickets (Acheta domestica)
and Two Gut-loading Diets in Growing Puerto Rico Crested Toads (Bufo lemur)
B. McGregor, J. Wensvoort, L. Attard, A, Lentini, M. Finke, J. Atkinson, C. Dutton. Ref # 2014-03-02
Collaborating institutions: University of Guelph, Mark Finke LLC.
As part of our conservation efforts, the Toronto Zoo
is breeding several threatened and endangered
amphibian species including the Puerto Rican
crested toad (Bufo lemur) and the Wyoming toad
(Anaxyrus baxteri). Current knowledge of
amphibian nutrition is minimal. The standard diet
for amphibians in breeding programs has
traditionally been the readily available domestic
cricket (Acheta domestica). However, these crickets
are naturally low in calcium, vitamins A, D, E, B1, B6,
and perhaps other nutrients like carotenoids. In an
effort to improve nutrient supply, feeder crickets
may be dusted with supplement powders and/or fed
a nutrient-enriched food, known as a gut-loading
diet, aimed at creating a nutritionally superior
feeder cricket, prior to being offered to the
amphibian. In recent years several different species
of amphibians kept in breeding programs have
suffered from clinical syndromes, suspected to be
due to vitamin A deficiency, possibly due to
inefficient dietary supply of carotenoids as provitamin A or retinols. Toads in breeding programs
appear to be particularly at risk of this condition.
Nutrient supply from dusted feeder crickets appears to be
inconsistent, whereas the nutritional efficacy of traditional gutloading diets is not well understood, along with inadequate
methods used to maximally gut-load the crickets.
Recently, a new gut-loading diet and cricket feeding
methodology have been developed by the Toronto Zoo.
Additionally, a colleague in the United States has developed an
enhanced feeder cricket through rearing crickets on a special
diet. All these efforts are aimed to improve the nutrient supply
to consumers of feeder crickets.
To support amphibian conservation, the Wildlife Nutrition
Centre of Toronto Zoo has initiated the next phase in the
assessment of the new gut loading diet and the enhanced
feeder cricket and is trying, through scientific research trials, to
determine their effectiveness in
carrying forward the nutrients
ingested by the feeder crickets. All
animals in these studies are cared for
in accordance with the current
guidelines for animal welfare of the
Canadian Council of Animal Care
(CCAC).
48
Lowland
Gorillas
(Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
in Human
Care.
S. Gourlie, J. Wensvoort.
REF No. 2014-03-03
Leaf and bark browse is considered a fundamental part of dietary and
enrichment programs for wildlife in human care. The Wildlife
Nutrition Centre routinely harvests 500+ kilograms of fresh browse
per week during May-October and distributes this to various species.
Browse is primarily provided as a nutritional enrichment and it takes
the animals a considerable amount of effort to remove the edible
material from branches, thus prolonging foraging times and allowing
the expression of natural foraging behaviours. Many animals, like.
the Western Lowland gorillas ingest a substantial amount of bark
from the browse provided. It is not known how much edible material
(bark and leaves) is actually consumed when these animals are
offered browse. There is also a substantial gap in knowledge
regarding the chemical and nutritional constituents of browse and
any effects the consumption of browse has on health and wellbeing
of its consumers.
Browse naturally provides a unique
structure and shape, nutriment and a myriad of unique
chemicals as means of the plants chemical defense to
deter herbivory. These chemicals are known as plant
secondary metabolites (PSM) and can elicit aversive and
toxic effects and can provide beneficial effects to its
consumers. In a browse program for wildlife in human
care it is important to identify any of these effects as
they influence the suitability of browse provided.
For a period of 5 days per month we have assessed the amount of
edible apple (Malus sp.) browse for the gorillas in our care . We
provided, weighed ,and measured amounts, and weighed and
measured it again after consumption. Allometric equations were
developed to estimate the amount of browse to be harvested.
Samples of the apple browse were analyzed for chemical and
nutritional components regularly throughout the growing season.
In a model study, apple bark and leaves were fed in measured
amounts to domestic rabbits. Rabbits were chosen because they
are known to consume bark and leaves and are considered a
relatively good comparative model species for monogastric
animals, such as gorillas. Effects on the feed intake, health, growth,
and well-being of the rabbits were identified. All gorillas and
rabbits were cared for according to current guidelines for animal
welfare by the Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC).
This study was done in part of the fulfillment of an MSc-degree by
thesis. Results of this study will be presented at an international
nutrition/veterinary conference in 2015 and will be submitted to a
peer reviewed journal.
49
Captive Studies to
Improve Diet Estimates
and Bioenergetic
Modelling of Polar Bears
in the Wild
G. Thiemann and B. Laforest of York
University, I. Duncan of Guelph University,
C. Dutton, J. Young and J. Wensvoort of
Toronto Zoo, C. Robbins of Washington
State University, Peter Molnar of Princeton
University, K. Rode of US Fish and Wildlife
Service, S. Cherry of Parks Canada.
The ongoing reduction of sea ice habitat has led to
predictions that the foraging patterns and energy budgets of
polar bears will shift accordingly, given the reduced hunting
time and altered prey availability associated with decreased
ice cover. Understanding these foraging shifts, and their
consequences for polar bear energy budgets, will allow
scientists to better predict the effects of climate change on
polar bear populations and give managers and policy makers
the ability to make more informed management decisions.
An understanding of polar bear nutritional physiology is
critical for wild polar bear conservation. Some of the
required data can only be obtained through studies of
captive polar bears. The results of these studies will provide
critical insights into the ecological impacts of ongoing and
future environmental change on polar bears. The following
aspects are being investigated at the Zoo:

Documentation of the hand rearing of a polar bear cubs from birth until 16 weeks of age, including daily
growth (weight and body size), feed intake, diet composition, blood parameters and health.

Documentation on the regimented food intake of polar bear cubs from 16 weeks of age. The cubs are
weighed once per week and diet adjustments are based on the past week’s daily growth. Growth, nutrient
and energy intake to be established over the total period. Relationships between nutrient intake, energy
intake and growth of two polar bear cub were made and are prepared for presentation on an international
nutrition/veterinary conference and will be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal.

Study on polar bear nutrition and physiology including data collected in the winter of 2013-2014 from two
captive male polar bears at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat Ontario, which were fed a mimicked wild
diet. Samples of the diet and samples from the polar bears, (blood, fat and hair and claw scrapings) were
collected and prepared for analyses of their fatty acid profile and stable isotopes of C and N. The aim of
the study is to possibly improve fractionation values of above mentioned parameters. These values will be
very helpful to better understand and estimate the nutritional ecology and its anticipated changes of wild
polar bears. The analyses of samples is continuing.

Validation of the relationship of body measurements, body weight and body condition (visibly scored and
measured by electronic impedance technique) was completed on two captive male polar bears in January
2014.

Keepers are training polar bears to allow measurements of overall body length when the bears are fully
conscious. It is possible to estimate the body composition from their bodyweight and overall body length
on a regular basis. This allows the bears to be in a more
natural seasonal feeding program: body mass greatly
increases from March until July, and decreases from July until
the fall down to a body fat content of 20 % for non-pregnant
bears and 30 % fat for pregnant bears. The study is ongoing.
50
Horticulture Initiatives
Most people are surprised to find
out that the Toronto Zoo is about
way more than just animals! The
Zoo's plant collection is more
extensive than the animal
population, and can be viewed
along the paths, in exhibits, and
in the indoor pavilions.
The programs developed by the
Horticulture Branch include
conservational studies of
endangered plants and habitats
and an international seed
exchange. They are also involved
in restoration ecology, wetland
and meadow creation, and forest
recovery projects that occur both
on and off site.
51
Horticulture
Botany
The Botany team works to integrate living plants into exhibits and open spaces throughout the Zoo, in addition to maintaining
up to date plant records, maintaining a browse plant nursery, facilitating cultural connections to Zoo visitors, and taking part in
research efforts to preserve native Ontario species.
Horticulture Center
Landscape
Development
Horticulture staff are continuously
creating and renovating gardens,
animal exhibits, and picnic areas
throughout the Zoo.
Cultural Connections
Plant Record System
Signage has been provided for any
plants present in public areas of the
Zoo, to make visitors aware of the plant
presence in addition to the animals on
display and to help educate the public
about the various species present in the
Zoo’s botanical collection.
The Shamba Farm in the Savannah
region of the Zoo has been created
to represent an authentic West African garden, thanks to horticulture
staff and recommendations from
the African Cultural Advisors.
52
The Horticulture Center is
responsible for a myriad of
flora related tasks, such as:
tropical plant maintenance, bio
control of insect pests; plant
restoration, propagation, and
over-wintering; managing
heavy equipment; organic
waste and materials collection.
Research
Ash trees are being
injected with a
substance that may
protect them from the
invasive Emerald Ash
Borer beetle. The
effectiveness of this
substance is being
investigated through a
pilot study at the Zoo.
Browse
A browse plant
nursery has
been
established to
provide food as
a component of
the diet for
browser
animals. This is
a reliable
source of
browse and is
expected to
become
available as the
plants mature.
Panda Interpretive Center and Exhibit
Plants and landscaping
materials were used to
maintain a traditional Chinese
garden theme in the panda
exhibit and interpretive center.
Various species of bamboo
have been used throughout
the gardens to enhance the
exhibit and to provide browse
material, which the animals
can feed on if they wish.
Natural Areas Management
Invasive Species Management
The Toronto Zoo is currently monitoring and actively managing several invasive species, which are threatening
the Great Lakes and the Rough Valley ecosystems, including:
· Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
· Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
· Dog Strangler Vine (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
53
Waterway
The artificial waterway begins at
the Mayan Temple waterfall and
flows underneath the Tundra
Trek, to surface again and flow
under the bridge between the
Tundra Trek, through the Eurasia
Wilds, and ceases flow at the
two ponds near the Zoos front
entrance. The waterway has a
history of chronic problems,
including storm water runoff,
nitrogen loading, and algal
blooms in the summer heat. A
waterway study in 2004 found
that the waterway is in dire need
of care. Wetland areas are
planned to be established along
the waterway to naturally
cleanse the water and provide
additional habitat for the
animals living in and around the
waterway areas.
Education Portable Landscape Naturalization
The area around the education portable has been transformed into a
celebration of local and native plant species, and into a habitat that
can support numerous animals, such as frogs, toads, butterflies, birds,
and insects. The area now includes a Carolinian, boreal, and temperate deciduous section. These areas provide a space for youth to learn
about the forested habitats that surround them in Southern Ontario.
New Rare Plants
Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum).
Tumeric (Curcuma longa).
This west African shrub produces small
red edible fruit with a unique
property. When chewed it makes
sour food taste sweet. Lemons will
taste like lemonade and cider
vinegar will taste like apple juice.
We acquired rhizomes from the
Montreal Botanical Garden in
early 2015 and a few months
later, the plants have grown and
flowered. Tumeric has been
cultivated for so long that its
exact origin in Asia is unknown,
but it is probably native to India.
Tumeric is well known for its antiinflammatory properties.
Grains of paradise
(Aframomum angustifolium)
Grown from seeds in our
greenhouse, this species is
indigenous to tropical Africa and is
one of several Aframomum species
commonly known as Grains of paradise. Grains of
paradise has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory
properties and is commonly consumed by Gorillas in the
wild.
54
Bat flower
(Tacca chantrieri)
This is only the second time that this
unusual plant, indigenous to southeast
Asia, has flowered at the Zoo.
Custodial Initiatives
Harnessing the cleaning power of rain drops
The custodial staff at the Toronto Zoo use only 100% Eco-Friendly products and do not use any chemicals in the
floor cleaning (Auto Scubber) machines to wash the floor. This huge advancement in environmentally sound
practices was due to the addition of lotus® PRO technology, which uses aqueous ozone (AO), commonly found
in rain drops.
Ozone occurs naturally when sunlight or lightning adds an extra oxygen atom to the oxygen molecule in the
atmosphere and infuses into water resulting in AO. The extra charged oxygen readily binds with germs, soils
and pathogens to quickly breaks down dirt, grease and eliminate contaminants, both safely and naturally.
There is no need for chemical cleaners or pathogen reducing sanitizers because it only uses water!
In addition, the floor cleaner machines when drying the floor collects the excess water which can be reused by
running it through an ozone filtration system. Also, a specialized chemical free pad is used. to remove old green
wax. An amazing system that both conserves water, eliminates the need for toxic chemicals and is gentle to
your skin as rain drops.
55
Green Initiatives
A main objective of the 21st century zoo or aquarium is to demonstrate the
link between wildlife conservation and sustainable human development
and lifestyles. The Toronto Zoo has a strong record of environmental
protection and of energy efficient operation management. The Zoo has
inspired staff, Volunteers, and the public to make responsible lifestyle
choices in order to live more sustainably and aid in the present day
struggle to preserve the natural world. We continue to implement the
Toronto Zoo’s Green Plan to achieve our goals of a lower ecological
footprint and a more efficient and productive environment.
The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to be a leader in sustainability
and act as a mentor to other zoos, aquariums and businesses
in Canada to collectively reduce Canada’s impact on climate
change. By engaging the public in discussions about
conservation issues and providing realistic solutions and
implementing educational pilot projects for green
technologies, we will inspire others to lessen their ecological
footprint on our earth and work towards lowering the impact
of climate change on wildlife and biodiversity to ensure a
greener environment for future generations.
56
Our Vision
Green Eco-Zoo Team
The
Toronto
Zoo has a
strong record
of environmental
protection and of
energy efficient
operation management.
The Zoo has stimulated
staff, Volunteers and the
public to live sustainably in
balance with Nature, encouraging
everyone involved to lessen their
ecological footprint on the earth.
The Green Eco-Zoo Team (GEZT) is
a non-technical advisory
committee to the CEO and
incorporates all divisions and units
of the Zoo. The “Green Team”
addresses the environmental
impacts of Zoo operations, policies
and procedures, and makes
recommendations that will lessen
our ecological footprint in the
Rouge Valley and on the earth.
Green Plan 2010-2015
The action-based, goal oriented plan will
guide the long-term sustainability of Zoo
operations and our impact on the Rouge
National Urban Park and, more holistically,
our earth. The Green Plan has set out
ambitious targets of a 95% reduction of GHG
emissions and a 40% reduction in water
consumption, as compared to 1990 levels, by
2027. The Toronto Zoo is proud to announce
that in 2012, we reached our targets of 40%
reduced water consumption and 70% waste
diverted from landfill. These targets were not
expected until 2027. The Toronto Zoo
commits to continue to work towards more
sustainable operations management and look
forward to continue to exceed our goals.
Green Policies and Reports
· Environment First Policy (GEN-001)
· Environmental Purchasing Policy (FIN-007)
· Annual Environmental Initiatives Report
· Smog Alert Plan
57
Green
Events,
Programs
& Projects
Green Eco-Zoo Team staff members from the Conservation, Education and Wildlife Division
coordinate and develop events for Zoo staff, Volunteers and visitors, as well as the broader
community. In 2014/15, events included:
Energy
Transit
and Waste
Management
Transit staff has initiated
many improvements, for
example the conversion of 12
vehicles to propane/gas hybrid
engines, purchase of 3 solar powered
golf carts and 2 solar powered utility
carts, purchase of 23 electric vehicles,
and the purchase of hybrid vehicles.
Achieving our Green Plan
targets depends equally on staff
conservation behaviour, decisions
made and projects completed by our
Facilities and Services staff. Energy and
water consumption and waste production must
be reduced substantially over the next 20 years if
we are to lower or eliminate our ecological footprint.
58
Energy & Waste Management
** Misc. Items includes: bamboo,
oil filters, batteries, scrap metal,
tires, cell phones, furniture, sand
(ex. for roadways), organic waste
from restaurants & kitchens etc.
59
Appendix
Collaboration with outside
researchers and institutions benefit
the Toronto Zoo by increasing the
resources available at the Zoo. As a
result, strong partnerships have been
developed with other research
organizations.
The Toronto Zoo encourages outside
students and researchers to work in
collaboration with the Zoo on projects
related to their area of interest. This
allows others to gain access to
resources available at the Zoo, while
simultaneously broadening the
amount of information held at the
Zoo.
60
Species Survival Plans® (Green SSP®, Yellow SSP®, and Red) Programs
The Species Survival Program (SSP®) aims
to establish population stability for
species that have been classified as
threatened or endangered in the wild and
require immediate aid through
conservation, such as the giant panda.
The objective of a SSP® is to establish and
maintain healthy, genetically diverse
populations at various AZA accredited
institutions and facilities, to act as a
source for species reintroduction and to
ensure a sustainable captive population
exists, should wild populations die off.
Green SSP® represent captive
populations that are thriving, while Yellow
SSP® populations are present but are not
yet strong enough to persist long term,
and species classified as Red exist in
captive populations of very few
individuals, and are not sustainable in the
long term at present. A new category has
also been added for species that are
candidates for SSP® programs.
The Toronto Zoo gives high priority to
research on SSP® animals. As of 2014,
the Toronto Zoo's total Green SSP®,
Yellow SSP®, Red and Candidate for
SSP® species are as follows:
Green
Yellow
SSP®
SSP®
Mammals
10
37
4
7
51
61
55
Birds
2
37
5
6
31
45
49
Reptiles
1
17
1
1
12
17
18
Amphibians
1
2
0
0
2
5
2
Fish
0
4
0
3
4
9
8
Invertebrates
0
1
0
0
-
-
1
Total
14
98
10
17
100
137
133
Class
Red
Candidate
for SPP®
61
Total
Total
Total
2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014
2014/2015
Program (Candidate)
Total
51 (7)
58
44 (6)
50
19 (1)
20
3 (0)
3
4 (3)
7
1 (0)
1
139
The Mission of the Toronto Zoo
Development Division
The Toronto Zoo Development Division is dedicated to the
financial support of the Toronto Zoo in its efforts to conserve
species diversity through conservation, education, and research.
The Toronto Zoo Development Division raises funds to support the conservation, education and research endeavours
of the Toronto Zoo. Philanthropic support from individuals, grant-making foundations and corporations enables the
Zoo to embark on and continue the various programs and projects that aim to preserve our environment and
maintain biodiversity. In addition to raising funds to support Zoo programs and research, the Development Division
represents the interests of its donors and stewards the gifts entrusted to it.
To support the Toronto Zoo’s , call the Development Division at 416-392-9114 or visit www.torontozoo.com
International Conservation Programs

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) strategies

Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs)

Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG)

Conservation Action Partnerships (CAPs)

International Species Information System (ISIS)

AZA – Nutrition Advisory Group

Studbooks


Species Survival Plans (SSPs®)
Botanic Gardens Conservation
International (BGCI)

Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs)

The Canadian Organization for Tropical
Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC)
Memberships

Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)
(individual memberships)

AZA, Nutrition Advisory Group (NAG)

American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)

Animal Behavioural Management Association
(ABMA)

Air Animal Transportation Association

Alliance of Natural History Museum of Canada

American Ornithologists’ Union

Association of Zoo Veterinary Medicine
Association

Comparative Nutrition Society

National Association for Interpretation

Conservation Council of Ontario


Canadian Organization for Tropical
Education & Rainforest Conservation
(COTERC)
OMNR-Specially Protected Game
Wildlife in Zoo

Ontario Agriculture, Food & Rural
Affairs

Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS)


EAZA, European Nutrition Group (ENG)
Ontario Association of Veterinary
Technicians

European College of Zoological
Medicine

Ontario Camp Association

Ontario College of Teachers
International Embryo Transfer Society

International Society of Wildlife
Endocrinology
Ontario Massasauga Rattlesnake
Antivenom Depot

Ontario Nature

Ontario Vet Association

Volunteer Toronto


Canada’s Accredited Zoos & Aquariums (CAZA) 

Certified Interpretive Guides & Certified
Interpretive Trainers

Ministry of Education (registered
Private School)

College of Veterinarians of Ontario

Registered Veterinary Technicians

Society for the Study of Reproduction

World Conservation Union Canada (CCIUCN)

Zoo Registration Association
62
2015 Projects
Supported by the
Endangered Species
Reserve Fund
63

African penguins

Snow leopard in situ conservation

South Eastern Asian turtle conservation

Conservation of False Gharial in Indonesia

Beaded Lizard community based conservation

Sumatran Tiger Conservation

Forest Restoration - Besitang, North Sumatra

Hutan Reforestation Efforts in Kinabatangan

Project Punde Kundo (Red Panda)

Tree Kangaroo & Biodiversity Conservation
in Papua New Guinea

BFF Canadian Reintroduction - Post Release
Monitoring

Madagascar Community-Based Radiated
Tortoise
Conservation

Toronto Zoo Conservation in Action: In situ
Madagascar

Great Lakes Program

Freshwater Mussels - Great Lakes Conservation

Toronto Zoo Aqua-Links

Eastern Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program

Recovery of SAR Blanding's Turtles and
Wood Turtles

Little Brown Myotis assurance colony planning

Sponsoring funds for NSERC Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship - Avian Conservation

Wetland Assessment and Restoration for
Species at Risk