saving and protecting species at home & abroad 2013 ANNUAL REPORT message from the Toronto Zoo Chair and CEO With the world losing an alarming amount of Zoo, will enable Canadians to experience one of species each year, the role of accredited zoos the worlds’ most critically endangered species 5,000+ has never been more critical. up close. The Toronto Zoo is extremely proud to animals The Toronto Zoo, one of the largest facilities be contributing critical scientific research in of its kind in the world, has progressively evolved hopes of ensuring the survival of this incredible since its doors were first opened in 1974. It is species. situated at the doorstep of the Rouge National spreading the message 450+ Urban Park, Canada’s newest park. While we The Toronto Zoo undertakes many conservation species are fortunate to have more than 5,000 animals and research projects locally, nationally and representing more than 450 species and drew globally, for the benefit of threatened and endan- more than 1.46 million visitors in 2013, the Zoo’s gered species. The projects are also a great way priorities have increasingly broadened beyond for the public to learn about species survival, re- 1.46 million its borders and focused on saving and protect- production and habitat preservation. That is why visitors to the Toronto Zoo in 2013 ing species through wildlife care, research and we are here – to help make people care about education throughout Canada and the world. the fragility of the species on our planet. When an animal ark for the world visitors see these dynamic, real life creatures, When the Zoo opened in 1974, the planet was most of whom have been rescued from desper- losing one or two species a year. Today, the ate circumstances, the message hits home. Ex- global extinction rate has soared to three tinction is real. We want our visitors to leave the species lost each day. In an effort to stem the Zoo saying “that spider, or that rhino, or that go- effects of habitat destruction and other impacts, rilla was awesome. I want to get involved in the the Toronto Zoo collaborates with government, effort to save them.” agencies, universities and animal experts to re- in great company duce the further loss of wildlife species. The Zoo We continue to be very grateful to our visitors also has a captive breeding program and rein- and especially the Toronto Zoo members and troduction program. To date, the offspring of a our hundreds of volunteers, who enable us to variety of rare and endangered species including continue to do this important work. Our more the black-footed ferret, Vancouver Island mar- than 500 volunteers contribute thousands of mot, trumpeter swan, Puerto Rican crested hours of their time to educate, spark curiosity toad and native Ontario turtles have been bred and engage our visitors. It is the enthusiasm, in controlled settings and released back into passion and commitment of our staff, volun- their natural habitats. The Zoo also assists sci- teers, members, sponsors and partners that entists who are investigating the causes of pop- ensure the Toronto Zoo continues to be a ulation declines. leader in saving and protecting species at pandas in focus home and abroad. In 2013, the Toronto Zoo welcomed Canada’s only giant pandas, Er Shun and Da Mao, as part Mr. Joe Torzsok, Chair of a giant panda conservation breeding program with China. This unique 10-year agreement shared between the Toronto Zoo and Calgary Mr. John Tracogna, CEO 2 Toronto Zoo Annual Report 2013 The main threat to the magnificent, at-risk polar bear is climate change. The Zoo, along with Polar Bear International, is actively involved in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, out of 251 candidates, was voted into the top six organizations to receive the acclaimed Shell Fueling Change™ funding. The grant will support Polar Bear educational, breeding, nutri- tional and veterinary programs and research. saving and protecting polar bears Toronto Zoo Annual Report 2013 3 giant pandas giant year After a 28-year absence, giant pandas re- panda experts, Toronto Zoo keepers and veteri- turned to the Toronto Zoo in 2013. The arrival nary staff monitored their overall health and be- 56,000 of a breeding pair of giant pandas began as a haviour, after which, both pandas were moved Zoo visitors on giant panda opening plan between Prime Minister Stephen Harper into their new habitat. weekend, a new record for the Zoo! and Hu Kintao, President of China, and in- learning about giant pandas volved over 10 years of planning by the Chi- For visitors, the Zoo’s giant panda journey be- nese and Canadian governments. A female gins with the award-winning Panda Interpretive panda, Er Shun, from Chongqing Zoo and a Centre. Here visitors are encouraged to learn 13% male panda, Da Mao, from Chengdu Re- about giant panda conservation, panda habi- increase in annual attendance, search Base were chosen to come to the tats and their diets through interactive touch the highest level in 18 years! Toronto Zoo for five years, as part of a long- screens and audiovisual displays. Er Shun and term conservation partnership. Da Mao’s new state-of-the-art home in the Zoo’s Panda Interpretive Centre the pandas have landed! Zoo’s Eurasia section includes two separate Er Shun and Da Mao’s arrival on March 25, habitats, as giant pandas are naturally solitary wins 2013 HOW International 2013 was a historic and memorable morning for animals in the wild. Each habitat has enrich- Design Award of Merit the Toronto Zoo, the City of Toronto and many ment elements such as climbing structures, for signage, way-finding and others around the world. Over 50 Canadian plantings, a pool and a climate-controlled in- environmental graphics. media outlets and millions of onlookers world- door area. The centre’s innovative wide awaited the landing of two giant pandas at giant pandas meet their fans conservation and educational Pearson International Airport. Travelling in a spe- Er Shun and Da Mao made their official debut features encourage adults and cially chartered MD-11F FedEx Panda Express on May 16, 2013, with a special VIP ceremony aircraft, both pandas received first class treat- and media event. The next day, over 10,000 ex- children alike to explore, through a ment throughout their trip, which included 200 cited Zoo members got a sneak preview of the variety of graphics and model kg of apples and 200 kg of bamboo. They were Xie Shou Giant Panda Experience, while over displays, interactive features, accompanied by Toronto Zoo veterinarian 15,000 visitors attended the grand opening on multi-media games and audio Simon Hollamby to ensure their 18 hour flight Saturday, May 18, 2013. The excitement con- visual presentations. spanning over 8,000 miles from Chengdu, tinued all weekend with a record breaking total China went smoothly. Upon landing, the giant of more than 56,000 visitors. pandas were met by Prime Minister Stephen For the next five years, our pandas will con- Harper, who signed for them on the FedEx tar- tinue to symbolize the partnership between mac. A welcome ceremony emphasized this Canada and China, and raise awareness for conservation partnership with speeches by conservation efforts for this critically endan- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Toronto Zoo gered species. With only 1,600 giant pandas CEO John Tracogna, FedEx President Lisa Lis- left in the wild and 300 in captivity, the Toronto son, and Ambassador Zhang Junsai of the Em- Zoo hopes to play a role in the revival of this bassy of the People’s Republic of China. A rare and enchanting species through breeding 30-day quarantine followed, while Chinese giant and research. 4 Toronto Zoo Annual Report 2013 1,600 giant pandas are left in the wild one of the world’s most endangered species saving and protecting giant pandas Toronto Zoo Annual Report 2013 5 promoting the Zoo and giant pandas year-round The Marketing, Communications and Partner- the Chinese Cultural Centre of Toronto, ships Division had an exceptionally busy year Coca-Cola Ltd. and Pelco/STS. that started out with incredible international Zoo highlights media coverage of the arrival of the giant pan- • Toronto Zoo featured in The Amazing das and continued throughout the entire year. Race Canada, watched by more than 3.6 giant panda highlights million people • new signs on Highway 401 and the Don • advertising campaign to encourage visi- Valley Parkway to promote giant pandas tors to come to the Zoo in the fall and and the Toronto Zoo winter, consisting of billboards and a new • 34 giant panda mascot outreach events interactive winter map on the Zoo's • giant panda VIP events including a gala website, resulted in 600,000 unique visits hosted by the Chinese Consul General to our website with guests including Premier Kathleen • Zoo Facebook reached 40,000 fans in Wynne, Minister of Finance Charles 2013, an increase of 87% from 2012 Sousa, Minister of Tourism and Minister Black and White Gala Responsible for Pan/Parapan American Presented by Manulife Financial and hosted by Games Michael Chan and Michael Toronto’s newest five-star hotel, the Shangri-La Coteau, Minister of Citizenship and Toronto, 250 guests enjoyed an exclusive VIP Immigration experience hosted by TELUS, including a cock- • another VIP event with over 300 invited tail reception and a memorable dinner. High- guests and dignitaries from the Govern- lights of the evening included a performance by ment of Canada, Government of Ontario, vocalist Tina Li, an exquisite dragon dance and City of Toronto and representatives from exceptional entertainment by performer Sean China were on hand for the opening of the Jones.