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Toronto Zoo Update On Recent Ransomware/Cyber Incident

TORONTO, ON, Wednesday January 17, 2024: Even though it is early in the investigation, at this point we believe that current, former, and retired Toronto Zoo employees (dating back to 1989) have had some personal information stolen. Regretfully, the stolen information includes past earnings information, social insurance numbers, birthdates, telephone numbers and home addresses. Based on the current information we have, we do not believe it includes personal banking information as the Zoo does not store that information on our servers.

As a proactive step, the Toronto Zoo will be offering all current, former and retired Zoo staff dating back to 1989 with a complimentary two-year credit monitoring service - a service that allows one to check for signs of identity fraud so protective action can be taken.

Retired and former Zoo employees who are interested in receiving this complimentary service, are urged to contact the Toronto Zoo at [email protected] and provide the following information: first and last name, last area of the Zoo you worked and the timeframe you were employed. For example, Jane Deer, Horticulture, 2001-2015 and Joe Frog, Wildlife Care, 1989 – 2001.

We continue to investigate to determine how Zoo members, guests, donors and volunteers are affected. We will directly notify individuals based on our findings. We want to reinforce the Zoo does not store credit card information. We also want to reassure everyone that animal wellbeing, care and support systems have not been impacted by this incident and we are continuing with normal Zoo operations including being open to guests.

It is so unfortunate and very disturbing that charitable not-for-profit organizations like your Toronto Zoo and other public sector organizations are being targeted by cyber attacks. Our mission is to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction, not cyber criminals. This has been a terrible incident that has directly impacted our current and former staff and for that we are deeply sorry.

Please note your Toronto Zoo is currently not offering any special discounts or promotions so are asking the public to please be vigilant if you see any ads or promotions for discounted Zoo tickets on social media.

Zoo tickets can be securely purchased online at torontozoo.com

Click here to view our previous statement issued on January 8, 2024

Media Contact Information:

Amy Baptista

416-848-5920

Media Relations Coordinator

[email protected]

Visit Toronto Zoo Website

The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction and our vision is a world where wildlife and wild spaces thrive.

An iconic tourist attraction and Conservation organization, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day including December 25 and attracts approximately 1.2 million guests each year.

Toronto Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The Zoo has also achieved the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Certificate of Good Animal Practice® and is inspected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Ave, Toronto ON, M1B 5K7

View Toronto Zoo’s Privacy Statement

We acknowledge the land we are on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.