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Our Moo-est Members At Your Toronto Zoo - The Highland Cows

TORONTO, ON, August 14, 2025 - Your Toronto Zoo is thrilled to welcome two new residents: a pair of 9-month-old male Highland cows (also known as Highland cattle)! These shaggy, horned newcomers have officially settled into their new home near the Eurasia Wilds Zoomobile station, and they’ve already captured the hearts of staff and volunteers alike.

Zoo Members received an exclusive preview of the cows earlier this week. Starting Friday, August 15—which also marks the Zoo’s official birthday—all guests will be able to visit the Highland cows during regular Zoo hours.

These charismatic calves are the newest members of our Outreach & Discovery team, and once fully acclimated, may participate in casual encounters as part of our ambassador animal walking programming. For now, they’re enjoying their new habitat and interacting with guests from the comfort of their paddock along the Zoomobile route.

“This addition highlights the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to education, conservation, and creating unique animal experiences for our guests” says Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “The Highland cows will play an important role in helping guests learn more about domestic breeds and their historical significance”.

Highland cows are one of the oldest registered cattle breeds in the world, originating in the Scottish Highlands and western islands of Scotland. Known for their distinctive long horns, thick, wavy coats, and gentle disposition, they are hardy animals well-adapted to harsh climates. Their unique appearance—especially their “dossan” (that long fringe of hair over their eyes)—has made them a favourite among animal enthusiasts and photographers worldwide.

This addition highlights the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to education, conservation, and creating unique animal experiences for our guests. The Highland cows will play an important role in helping visitors learn more about domestic breeds and their historical significance.

Guests are encouraged to stay tuned to the Zoo’s social media channels, where we’ll be revealing their names very soon!

Media Contact Information:

Amy Baptista

416-848-5920

Media Relations Coordinator

[email protected]

The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals, conservation science and traditional knowledge to fight extinction and our vision is a world where people, 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 1.3 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 Agribusiness (OMAFA).

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

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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.

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