The Toronto Zoo is Toronto’s popular zoo, located in the north-eastern part of Toronto. Encompassing 710 acres (287 hectares), the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest in the world. It is divided into various zoo-geographic regions with numerous indoor pavilions and outdoor exhibits. The zoo is home to over 5,200 animals representing over 450 distinct species. The goal of the Toronto Zoo is to provide a dynamic and exciting action center that inspires people to love, respect and protect wildlife and wild spaces. It opened in 1974 as the Metropolitan Toronto Zoo and is owned by the City of Toronto.
Toronto Zoo Exhibits and Layout
The Toronto Zoo is divided up into seven different geographic regions. Each region showcases animals and plants from that area of the world. The Zoo’s seven zoogeographic regions include: Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia, Canadian Domain and the Tundra Trek.
Facts about the Toronto Zoo
At 287 hectares (710 acres), the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world. The Toronto Zoo contains:
- over 10 km (six miles) of walking trails.
- seven gift shops and kiosks located throughout the Zoo site
- four (4) rides: zoomobile, conservation carousel, camels and ponies.
Animals at the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto zoo features more than 5000 animals from more than 460 species. You can visit polar bears, Masai giraffes and Indian rhinos along with African penguins and many other animals. The Toronto Zoo is the home of thousands of animals representing different parts of the world, including the polar bears, gorillas, tigers, elephants, and komodo dragons. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits throughout the zoo.The Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing over 500 species. Animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in naturalistic environments, with viewing at many levels.
Toronto Zoo Favorites
Visit the incredible 10-acre Tundra Trek featuring an amazing 5-acre Polar bear habitat complete with underwater viewing area, the Gorilla Rainforest home to our Western Lowland Gorilla troop and newest addition Nassir, the Great Barrier Reef, and Zellers Discovery Zone* featuring Kids Zoo, Splash Island and Waterside Theatre.
Zellers Discovery Zone
Explore Zellers Discovery Zone, featuring the Kids Zoo, a dynamic, interactive children’s wildlife experience, Splash Island, an exciting two-acre water play area and the Waterside Theatre, home of exciting family entertainment.
Getting to the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is set in the beautiful Rouge Valley. The Main Entrance is located on Meadowvale Road, Toronto, north of Highway 401. The Zoo is accessible by car and public transit.
Images of the Toronto Zoo
A tiger at the Toronto Zoo (Toronto Zoo)
