Visiting the Toronto Zoo, the largest zoo in Canada
This zoo is located near the Rouge River in the Scarborough district, east of the city of Toronto. It is a major park in Canada, holding the title of the largest zoo in the country. It was founded by John Cameron Egan and Hugh A. Crothers in 1974 as the "Metropolitan Toronto Zoo". The facility is now a full-scale operation managed by the municipal government.
The zoological park
The zoo is divided into distinct zones spanning 287 hectares, designed to mimic global environments so animals thrive in habitats suited to their needs. Your route will take you through the "Indo-Malaya", "African", "Americas", "Tundra", "Australasia", and "Eurasia" zones, before finishing in the "Canadian Domain". You will also find auxiliary areas such as the "Kids Zoo", "Waterside Theatre", and "Splash Island".
The park houses animals in either outdoor enclosures or in climate-controlled buildings where heat and humidity levels are strictly maintained to meet specific biological requirements.
The residents
The park is home to just over 5,000 animals representing 516 species. You can see tigers, crocodiles, boas, baboons, bears, caribou, and pandas all in one visit. You may be able to watch feedings for certain species, which is often a highlight for younger visitors. Staff members are also on hand to share information about wildlife conservation, which is at the core of the zoo's mission. The zoo actively participates in breeding programs and the reintroduction of endangered species into their natural habitats.
To ensure accessibility for everyone, the Centre Francophone du Grand Toronto (French-speaking center of Greater Toronto) has arranged virtual tours of the zoo via ZOOM.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
The zoo is located in a huge park where the animals have quite a bit of space to roam. You need several hours of walking to see it all! And it is worth it because there are really many types of animals to see, from the most ordinary to the most exotic, including some seriously creepy snakes!