The Toronto Zoo opened on August 15, 1974, in Scarborough, Ontario, replacing the much smaller Riverdale Zoo that had served the city since the 1890s. Spread across roughly 710 acres (287 hectares) along the Rouge River valley, it is Canada’s largest zoo by area and is organized into seven zoogeographic regions that group animals by their native continents rather than by species type.
Operated as a City of Toronto corporation and accredited by both the AZA and WAZA, the zoo cares for more than 3,000 animals representing over 300 species, including invertebrates and fish. It gained international attention as the temporary home of giant pandas from 2013 to 2018, during which Canada’s first giant panda cubs, twins Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue, were born there in October 2015.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Opened: August 15, 1974
- Size: About 710 acres (287 hectares)
- Species: Over 300 species, 3,000+ animals
- Annual Visitors: About 1.2 million
- Operator: City of Toronto
- Famous For: World’s largest indoor gorilla habitat and hosting giant pandas (2013-2018)
Seven Zoogeographic Regions
Rather than grouping animals by taxonomy, the Toronto Zoo arranges its exhibits into seven zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Eurasia, Australasia, and the Canadian Domain. This layout lets visitors follow a naturalistic route through habitats resembling each region’s real-world climate and terrain, from the African savanna to the boreal tundra.
The zoo is also known for its indoor gorilla habitat, described as the largest of its kind in the world, along with its Splash Island water park area and the Zoomobile tram that carries guests across the sprawling grounds.
Conservation and the Panda Years
The Toronto Zoo has run breeding and reintroduction programs for endangered species such as the black-footed ferret and Vancouver Island marmot, and it participates in international conservation partnerships through its AZA and WAZA accreditations.
Its most publicized chapter came between 2013 and 2018, when a pair of giant pandas from China lived at the zoo on loan, drawing record crowds. In October 2015, the pair produced Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue, the first giant panda cubs ever born in Canada, before the pandas’ five-year stay concluded and they moved to a zoo in Calgary and then back to China.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Toronto Zoo FAQs
Is the Toronto Zoo the largest zoo in Canada?
Yes, at roughly 710 acres (287 hectares), the Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest zoo by land area.
When did the Toronto Zoo open?
The Toronto Zoo opened on August 15, 1974, in Scarborough, replacing the older, smaller Riverdale Zoo.
Does the Toronto Zoo still have giant pandas?
No. The zoo hosted giant pandas on loan from China from 2013 to 2018, including Canada’s first panda cubs born in 2015, but the pandas left the zoo in 2018.
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Photo: Maelwys at English Wikipedia / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.