The Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo Welcome to The Toronto Zoo's official page! "Like" us for exclusive offers, a peek behind the scenes at your Zoo and more!

Check out torontozoo.com to plan your visit. To Get Here:
By Car
Take HWY 401 East or West to Meadowvale Rd. in Toronto (Exit 389)
Go north on Meadowvale Rd. and follow signs to Zoo entrance. By GO Train
The Toronto Zoo is just minutes from the Rouge Hill GO Station. Board a TTC 85 Sheppard East bus to the Zoo right at the station. For GO Train information, please visit www.gotransit.com

06/03/2026

Last chance to vote for the third annual ‘Animal Welfare Win Of The Year: Community Choice Award’! 🏆

Hear from Animal Welfare Research Assistant Olivia Franzin about our 10 incredible nominees in this year's competition!

Then, cast your vote for who you think should get the 2025 Welfare Wellie (for last year’s success) before June 4, 2026 at 11:59pm: torontozoo.com/wellies26 🏆

During this National Accessibility Week, your Toronto Zoo is re-committing to treating everyone in a way that allows the...
06/02/2026

During this National Accessibility Week, your Toronto Zoo is re-committing to treating everyone in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity, independence, and sense of belonging.

Our staff and volunteers proudly believe in integration and equal opportunity for everyone we serve. Through our Guardians of Wild Strategic Plan, we are committed to fostering inclusivity in everything we do, ensuring all guests feel welcomed, valued, and respected.

We also believe accessibility and inclusion are essential to our success as a leader in conservation, science, innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.

Did you know?
🎧 Your Toronto Zoo provides guests and members with a Toronto Zoo Sensory Map, identifying Headphone Zones and Quiet Areas to help prepare for their experience.
🎒 Guests can borrow a KultureCity Sensory Bag free of charge from our Accessibility Hub to support a more comfortable visit.
🎫 As an Inclusion Partner with MagnusCards®, we offer free step-by-step visual guides through the MagnusCards app, supporting independent community living for autistic and neurodiverse individuals.
👟 Both of our boardwalks, connecting the Americas and Indo-Malaya Pavilions to the African Rainforest are fully accessible.
♿️ We offer complimentary wheelchair rentals for guests and members throughout their visit.

Accessibility is about creating meaningful opportunities for everyone to connect with wildlife, nature, and each other. As we continue to grow and evolve now and into the future, we remain dedicated to building a Zoo where every guest and member can experience wonder, discovery, and belonging.

Together, we're creating a more inclusive wild future: one where everyone has the opportunity to explore, learn, and thrive 💕

Learn more about our full offering of accessible programs at torontozoo.com/tz/accessibility.

06/01/2026

The three North American river otter pups have been enjoying some quiet time before the Zoo opens in the mornings acclimatizing themselves to their indoor habitat in the Americas Pavilion 🍼🦦

On Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday June 3, Toronto Zoo Members will have exclusive access to the Zoo and to Americas Pavilion from 8:45am to 9:30am to watch the pups discover their new world - one splash at a time 🌊

Proof of Membership will be required. Please note early access is only for the Americas Pavilion. The remainder of your Toronto Zoo will open at 9:30am.

The pups will then begin having access to the indoor pool and habitat throughout the day, but for limited time periods, and not currently on a regular schedule, so swing by if you are visiting and you may catch a glimpse!

Stay tuned for updates about the river otter pups and how they are exploring new areas – they are growing stronger every day.

These gradual introductions have been helping the pups become comfortable in new spaces and at their own pace - all while building confidence and learning from first-time Mom, Maybelle. This important milestone is part of the cooperative care provided by our Wildlife Care team, who work closely with the otter family to support their development and well-being. Behind the scenes, the pups have been strengthening their bond with Mom through play, exploration, and plenty of cuddle time.

Thank you for supporting our efforts as Guardians of River Otters in caring for these curious youngsters. To deepen your impact, please consider donating to the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy to support the construction of their new home within the Community Conservation Centre, bringing Canadian wildlife and vital conservation programs to the forefront of your Toronto Zoo: wildlifeconservancy.ca/otters 💙

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 10: Case of the Unexpected Lioness 🏆When seven lions were confiscated and placed into temporar...
06/01/2026

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 10: Case of the Unexpected Lioness 🏆

When seven lions were confiscated and placed into temporary care at an animal sanctuary, veterinary assessments revealed that all three lionesses were pregnant.

After two experienced serious birthing complications, your Toronto Zoo was called upon to provide urgent support for the third lioness, Nirvana 🦁

Our teams mobilized quickly. In just four days, staff across your Toronto Zoo coordinated Nirvana’s safe transport to the Zoo in June. Wildlife Care and Maintenance prepared a specialized transport crate, while Veterinary and Wildlife Health & Science Centre (WHSC) teams adjusted schedules to receive her.

A cubbing space was thoughtfully created, including a custom-built birthing box, and real-time monitoring cameras were installed to ensure continuous observation with minimal disturbance.

Creating a calm, supportive environment was key. Teams across the Zoo contributed - from Nutritional Science providing tailored diet, bedding, and enrichment, to Welfare Science reviewing behavioural footage, and our Retail division supplying enrichment materials.

Approximately a month later, Nirvana gave birth to three cubs. While one cub sadly did not survive, Nirvana proved to be an attentive first-time mother to her remaining two. As the cubs grew larger and more active, signs of increased anxiety prompted another rapid response.

When the cubs were approximately a month old, teams coordinated her return to the original facility, ensuring continuity of care for this young family. Nirvana and her cubs later received permits and were transported to their permanent home in a sanctuary in the United States.

As requests for support from Animal Welfare Services increase, this collaborative effort highlights the critical role accredited zoos play in animal well-being.
By rapidly creating a welfare-focused, monitored environment for labour, birth, and early rearing, our teams were able to make a meaningful difference for Nirvana and her cubs.

Meet all of the nominees for this year’s Community Choice Awards and cast your vote before June 4, 2026 at torontozoo.com/wellies26 🏆

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 9: From Tomistoma to Shifted Ya 🏆Prior to shift training, male Tomistoma Fernando in the Indo-...
05/31/2026

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 9: From Tomistoma to Shifted Ya 🏆

Prior to shift training, male Tomistoma Fernando in the Indo-Malaya Pavilion would go up into the garden area of his habitat during servicing. He would often jump down into his pool, sometimes crashing into the ground if he made poor decisions before the pool had a chance to fully fill.

The inability to shift Fernando meant that even with a two person protocol, habitat modifications and deep cleans were difficult to achieve due to the close proximity between staff and Fernando. That’s when Tomistoma training began!

After a year of target and shift training, gradually getting Fernando comfortable with being locked into his beachside hut, the benefits have been seen clearly, not only for Fernando and his Guardians but for other departments, too!

Our focused effort to target and shift train Fernando has opened up new possibilities. The habitat is now safer for both Fernando and his Guardians of Wild. We obtained our first voluntary weight, and Maintenance staff can safely enter the space to add welfare improvements like platforms, basking spots, and full UV setups.

We can also modify and deep-clean the habitat as needed. Overall, the habitat is now safer for Wildlife Care and Maintenance staff - and safer and healthier for Fernando.

Meet the other nominees for this year’s Community Choice Awards and cast your vote before June 4, 2026 at torontozoo.com/wellies26 🏆

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 8: Breakthroughs for Natural Behaviours 🏆From 2024–2025, a major goal for your Toronto Zoo was...
05/30/2026

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 8: Breakthroughs for Natural Behaviours 🏆

From 2024–2025, a major goal for your Toronto Zoo was to improve and enable the grass-habitat pool to operate year-round. Historically, this pool had to be drained each winter due to design limitations, preventing the bears from engaging in key seasonal behaviours.

This project took months of coordinated planning, water-testing, and close observation of bear behaviour. The Life Support System (LSS) team replaced the entire life-support system, installing new pumps, a large heater, UV sterilization, upgraded filtration, and improved HVAC to prevent freeze-ups.

Working with Wildlife Care, they created a setup that keeps river outflow running while still allowing natural ice to form on the pool, achieving the balance needed for both animal well-being and mechanical safety.

This collaboration improved the Polar bears’ winter environment and highlighted the value of long-term infrastructure investment, especially in a year when the main pool was offline for its own LSS replacement. It shows how coordinated work between Wildlife Care, LSS, Maintenance, and Utilities directly supports animal well-being and natural, species-appropriate behaviour.

The project’s success was evident as the bears used the icy pool exactly as intended - breaking through ice, engaging in cooperative play, and practicing still-hunting behaviours. Even our geriatric bears, Aurora and Nikita, participated actively.

At times, one bear created a seal-style breathing hole while another “still-hunted” from the ice above, underscoring the importance of arctic sea ice to polar bears and the potential impacts of climate change on this keystone species.

Meet the other nominees for this year’s Community Choice Awards and cast your vote before June 4, 2026 at torontozoo.com/wellies26 🏆

05/30/2026

Wonder what's happening around the Polar bear habitat? 🐻‍❄️

The ongoing construction and upgrade to the polar bears Life Support System is helping support and enhance the long-term health and well-being of the four polar bears in our care.

These habitat enhancements were made possible, in part, by the generous support of our fundraising partner - the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy and its dedicated community of donors. Contributions from 2025 and 2026 Move Your Paws participants, along with a meaningful bequest, played a key role in bringing this project to life.

Learn more about the work being done from our Project Management team, and discover how modern life support systems play a critical role in caring for Arctic wildlife.

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 7: Swim for the Win 🏆Research at other conservation organizations has shown the more time Peng...
05/29/2026

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 7: Swim for the Win 🏆

Research at other conservation organizations has shown the more time Penguins spend on land, the more it can create issues of Pododermatitis. Consistently standing on flat ground often causes swelling, cracks or skin abrasions on the bottom of their feet.

To increase the penguins’ time in the pool, Wildlife Care began feeding them in the water to build positive associations. After completing safety steps and setting a protocol, they launched a voluntary “Swim Program,” starting in the small indoor pool with a Guardian in the water during feedings.

Initially only a few penguins participated, but over time more joined: some to eat, others simply to swim and interact. By late summer, the program expanded to the outdoor pool, where penguins began working with two Guardians in the water for social time without feeding.

By the end of summer, at least 50% of the colony would swim in the outdoor pool while a Guardian was present. When being fed in the pool inside, 95% of the colony will enter the water to eat voluntarily.

We will continue to collect data on how much time the penguins spend in the water now compared to previous years. We are excited to finally make progress on this new venture and build relationships with the African penguins in our care.

Meet the other nominees for this year’s Community Choice Awards and cast your vote before June 4, 2026 at torontozoo.com/wellies26 🏆

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 6: Quills and Thrills 🏆In the African Rainforest Pavilion, the shared meerkat and porcupine ha...
05/28/2026

Welfare Wellie Nominee # 6: Quills and Thrills 🏆

In the African Rainforest Pavilion, the shared meerkat and porcupine habitat had limited space and habitat complexity due to old ductwork, outdated enrichment, and low guest engagement.

Mr. P, the Porcupine, had a tendency to avoid people, which restricted training, husbandry behaviours, and overall animal well-being.

We addressed these challenges with a full habitat refresh that increased space, complexity, and opportunities for animals, Guardians, volunteers and guests. Relocating old ductwork also opened valuable room for movement and natural behaviours.

New hanging plants and a central tree added visual depth. Enrichment was upgraded: Mr. P received a cooling hide, and the meerkats gained new burrowing tubes, hanging enrichment points, and a faux termite mound.

To improve guest experience and help Mr. P feel more comfortable, we built a training wall that supports safe husbandry work and meaningful guest interactions. We also installed overnight cameras to track Mr. P’s activity and guide personalized enrichment.

This project created a more spacious, complex, and enriching habitat that supports natural behaviours for both species. Mr. P now engages comfortably in training behind the new wall, improving husbandry and reducing stress.

The meerkats show increased digging and foraging. Guest interactions are also more meaningful, and allow Wildlife Care staff to further demonstrate the care provided to the 3,000+ animals in our care. The combined improvements to space use, enrichment, training, and engagement make this a standout welfare win for 2025.

Meet the other nominees for this year’s Community Choice Awards and cast your vote before June 4, 2026 at torontozoo.com/wellies26 🏆

Address

Meadowvale Rd Scarborough ON Canada/X-street Highway 401 On Meadowvale Road
Toronto, ON
M1B5K7

Telephone

4163925929

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