As inevitability chases the snow, we are entering the final days of winter. Puddles the size of ponds are collecting as the individuality of snowflakes melds into sameness. Small children are as excited about jumping into the pools of water as they are to see animals sleeping, pacing and playing in display areas of the zoo. Spring is definitely in the air. Before all signs of a month and a half of Canadian winter have disappeared, here are some wintery memories from the Toronto Zoo.
I always recommend fitting your visit around at least one of the zookeeper talks, as there is always something new to learn. The keepers will talk about the species, and if you spend time with them, they’ll also talk about the personalities of the individual animals. One of the cheetahs, for instance, loves the male keepers and is all purrs around them, but not so around the women! There are 5 cheetahs on display, all female — do you know how to tell one from the other when they all look so much the same? One day a while back, a deer made the mistake of bounding into the lion’s enclosure. It was the last mistake it would ever make and the lions would not go inside for a week. Personality-wise, the tawny lions can be a bit grumpy, but the white lions are affectionate around their keepers. And don’t think those adorable little otters are not wild animals. One day a duck made the mistake of landing in the otter’s pond and, well, the otter ate well. There are many opportunities to learn more about the animals, the environment and the areas from which the animals originate if you’re interested.
The White Lions are expecting the zookeeper to come at any minute, with treats! They are now almost 3 years old and Fintan, the male, has really changed his appearance this last year. At about 350 lbs, he’s looking the part of a proud male. His keeper says that his behaviour is also becoming more assertively male – he’s making sure that he’s the dominant lion. That being said, apparently these lions are a pleasure for their keepers, as they enjoy the company of the people who care for them.
This playful otter took turns playing in the water and sliding around in the snow.
Olive Baboons aren’t outside during cold, wintery days, but when the temperatures are warmer, they seem very happy to romp and play. This one is just relaxing and taking it easy, soaking up the warm sun, melting into the rock.
This baboon is playing sentinel, sitting on a stump, surveying its territory.
Last year, this was one of a pack of 6 Arctic Wolves. This year, only 3 remain. They are aged 17-18 years, so have lived long lives. They still charm visitors with their beauty and their haunting songs. A younger pack is housed in a different part of the park and will be continuing to represent this beautiful species.
This wolf woke up singing. Sometimes a wolf seems to just raise its head and begin to howl; other times, it’s answering a howl from one of its pack. However it begins, it is a sound that attracts any walking nearby.
A cheetah in snow! Up to 5 cheetahs may be seen at once in this enclosure. During the cold days of arctic air we experienced this winter they were allowed to choose whether they wanted to be outdoors and apparently most days, they chose outdoors. One in particular was out almost every day. There is a heated cave and a number of shelters around the display area, so they could get out of any chilly wind that may have been blowing and they could go indoors when they had enough. They had a path cleared for them; times when they walked through the snow, they did look like cats walking in water. Here you can see the claws on one paw- unlike most other cats, cheetahs do not have retractible claws.
A little reminder of who’s boss: the keeper was on her way with treats for the cheetahs, and there is a hierarchy. This was a very brief reminder of that.
Here, 4 cheetahs are visible as best as my lens would allow. The keeper makes sure to throw treats so that there is no conflict, so the animals are spread out. The top right cheetah is the dominant female. Apparently the one whose ears you can just see in the lower right tries to be dominant from time to time, but the others won’t have any of it. She’s the youngest, so the others make sure that she keeps her place. At other times of the day, one will see individuals in different parts of the decent-sized enclosure. They seem to like their own space, which is apparently typical, as in the wild, they keep to themselves.
The hyenas are enjoying the warm sun. I’m guessing that the rock they are laying on is probably heated, but with plexiglass surrounding most of their space, they are pretty sheltered and that sun must have felt great. I notice that these boys are not usually out on very cold days, so they must have felt in heaven. The fellow on his back was like this when I arrived and remained so when I left.
Another time, a little play with big teeth. After a little wrestling, they curled up next to each other and took a nap.
This tiger was curled up in its den when it took notice of my camera clicking.
Here it sits up for a closer look. After several minutes of this rather intense gaze, it curled back up in its den, with its back to me. I took the hint and let it nap in peace.
There are 2 tawny lions at the zoo. They were here first; in fact, they were born in this zoo. I always thought this was a female and recently learned that I was wrong. It seems that when male lions are neutered at a young age, they typically don’t grow manes. This is Jerroh. He’s 15 years old and he and the other tawny are brothers, not mates. At about ~550 lbs, apparently his size would make it clear to those who know lions well that he is a male rather than female, even without a mane.
Here the brothers are snuggled up in a nap. The rock on which they are laying is heated. Lindi, also neutered, grew a mane anyway, which causes most to misidentify the pair as male/female.
If any animal looks at home in the snow, it’s a polar bear! Here a male and female are together to allow for a little romantic activity, should they feel so inclined. Apparently at this moment in time, Inukshuk, the male (left) is feeling a little frisky, while Aurora, female, is just not in the mood.
This is Humphrey enjoying a snow day shortly before he left for Winnipeg. He was born on November, 2013, to Aurora and Inukshuk.
The zoo is not just home to caged animals. It’s set in the Rouge Valley, which means lots of trees and natural beauty … as well as natural fauna. I’ve been told a number of times as I’ve descended into the Canadian Domain that coyotes were present, but I had never seen them. Until, that is, this year. The elk are now in the same enclosure as the bison. Look on the other side of the fence: two coyotes, just wandering through the woods, eyeing the elk from time to time, who were definitely eyeing them back! Bison nearby were also keeping an eye on these wanderers. Other wild animals I’ve seen, as well the huge variety of native birds, are fox, turkey and groundhogs. I have never heard of an incident between humans and the native fauna: wild things tend to be wary of humans.
I think the bison lucked out when it comes to enclosure and setting. They have a large field with a tree in the middle, and on most sides, are surrounded by steep hills full of trees. It’s more of a challenge for visitors, as that hill to the rest of the zoo is a steep walk up, but this is definitely a part of the zoo that takes advantage of its location. Nearby is a pond that is home to many native species of birds, including Wood Ducks. There are feeders around a lookout platform that has a picnic table, so people can sit and watch the natural environment. During the warmer months, there is an open trail that wanders around the pond. This is also where the new pack of Arctic Wolves lives at the moment, as well as moose and grizzly bears (currently in hibernation) and on the way down, one passes the cougars, lynx, raccoons and bald eagles.
There are a few much smaller bison, so I’m guessing that some babies happened.
A wider view of part of the bison setting. And one can also see some of the many Canada Geese that seem to hang out with the much larger creatures.
The pandas are probably the most popular of the animals currently living in the zoo.
They manage to look like royalty as they eat, looking perfectly comfortable sitting on their backsides, leaning against a rock, digging into their piles of bamboo.
Yes, pandas seem to enjoy playing in the snow!