The wonders of the wild are on display at the Toronto Zoo. One of the largest zoos in the world, the Toronto Zoo is set on 710 acres and has approximately 1.2 million visitors each year. Lions, tigers and bears are just the beginning of what this zoo has to offer. Over 5,000 animals representing 460 species and an extensive botanical collection are housed here.
Visitors to Toronto Zoo can explore six unique sections, highlighting fauna native to the exotic destinations of Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain. The zoo provides several means to view the animals, with indoor pavilions and outdoor displays designed to closely approximate natural habitats. There are many not-to-be-missed exhibits including the award-winning savannah and gorilla rainforest exhibits. In 2008 the zoo opens a refurbished Great Barrier Reef Exhibit that features a new seven-meter-long community tank full of over 1,000 reef fish.
Beyond the exhibits, visitors will be thrilled by the exciting experiences the zoo offers including camel rides, a safari simulator and the popular Zoomobile. The Toronto Zoo offers several activities specifically for kids such as an interactive children's wildlife experience, a two-acre water play area called Splash Island and the family-oriented Waterside Theater.
Various zoo facilities as well as unique packages, such as "Breakfast with Sharks at Stingray Bay," are available for groups. The Toronto Zoo is open year-round. Hours vary based on season. General admission is C$12 for children ages 4-12, C$20 for adults and C$14 for seniors. For more information: 416-392-5929
