Wednesday 20 August 2008

The Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo opened in 1974 and is open every day except Christmas day. Encompassing 287 hectares (710 acres), the Toronto Zoo is the third largest in the world. It is divided into six zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain. Animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in naturalistic environments, with viewing at many levels. It also has a children Zoo, Waterside Theatre and a Splash Island. The zoo is home to over 16,000 animals (including invertebrates and fish) representing over 491 distinct species.

Between 1980 and 1984 several new exhibits were added to the Zoo, including an indoor habitat for African Elephants, Snow Leopards and the Indian Rhinoceros Pavilion, as well as the official opening of the Zoomobile.

In 1985, Qinn Qinn and Shayan - a pair of Giant Pandas, on loan for three months from China were displayed at the Zoo. The Zoo broke all previous attendance records, as thousands of visitors came to see these rare animals. Over the years, the Zoo has presented other rare or unusual animals, including: Golden Monkeys (1986), Koalas (1988 and again in 1996), and White Lions (1995).

On May 16 2008, Stingray Bay opened. This interactive exhibit allows the public to touch, feel, and feed LIVE stingrays.

(Click on images to enlarge.)






A visitor from north Toronto relaxes by the monkey exhibit.



Above, is a fatty...with a pretty lady on top of her.



The above has nothing to do with the zoo, but I came across it and decided to show off my fair Toronto. For perspective, the tall office tower on the right is 72 stories tall. When the moon passes close enough, people on the highest observation deck of the CN Tower are encouraged by staff to jump onto it.

Below is the newest and one of the most popular zoo exhibits. These mermaids do "tricks" for food.



Above is an old girlfriend during one of her more reflective moments. When they warned me she was a man-eater, I had no idea...

Damn, if that hippo doesn't look like a dachshund with a thyroid condition.



Here, a polar bear watches amusedly as humans perform for him.






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