The Toronto Zoo is marking its 50th anniversary with 50 days of celebrations and by announcing the construction of a new state-of-the-art conservation centre.
Since the zoo opened in 1974, nearly 60 million guests have visited; 50 years on it’s ready to expand its research and education efforts.
The Toronto Zoo Community Conservation Centre (TZC3) will be built in partnership with The University of Toronto, Scarborough, and is set to house a river otter habitat, endangered turtle conservation breeding centre, as well as labs and classrooms for students at U of T Scarborough, Toronto Zoo campers, Zoo School attendees and education program pupils.
University of Toronto Scarborough has long standing ties to the zoo, and both institutions hope to deepen their relationship with this new project.
“As neighbours and important anchor institutions in Scarborough, we have a long and proud history of working together. This project really formalizes that partnership while inspiring future generations of conservationists,” Andrew Arifuzzaman, chief administrative officer, University of Toronto Scarborough said in a press release on Tuesday.
The centre will build on the zoo’s existing Wildlife Health Centre and reproductive science research efforts.
“This new facility will offer students a level of experiential learning that can only be gained by being immersed within a working conservation-based organization, [and alongside] our experienced researchers and practitioners,” said Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, Toronto Zoo’s senior director wildlife science.
As well as numerous research facilities and habitats, the new centre will contain an event space, gift shop, and offices.
Toronto Zoo welcomes 1.3 million visitors annually, however, the new conservation centre will be located outside of the gates, and will be accessible seven days a week, in the evenings and outside zoo hours.
