TORONTO, ON, August 27, 2025 - Your Toronto Zoos’ two newest residents have made quite an impression since their public debut two weeks ago! We have watched countless guests visit these fluffy males and they have delighted children and adults alike. The question we keep hearing is “what are their names going to be?!” and we are pleased to say the time has arrived for us to share the official names of these two half-brothers with our Toronto community!
The 9-month-old shaggy 'coos' at your Toronto Zoo aren’t the only hot topic in the city right now! As the baseball season heads into the home stretch, the Blue Jays currently are in first place in the American League East standings. To celebrate this amazing season and support the Blue Jays in their run to the postseason, we are excited to introduce:
“It’s wonderful to watch the Toronto community come together in a shared experience like cheering on a local team” says Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “One of our Toronto Zoo priorities is to provide opportunities for community engagement, sparking curiosity and a love for nature. Conservation is a team sport, we need more players, and now are hoping that naming these two animals after our beloved Blue Jays provides us with another way to get the community excited about two of our City’s great passions – baseball and conservation!”
One of our areas of focus is ensuring we are a place of belonging. In the last few years, your Toronto Zoo has provided access to many Jays Care Foundation campers, creating zoo memories that will last a lifetime as part of their camp experience. This important work with Jays Care Foundation, and our organizations shared commitment to serving kids in our community, is all a part of being critical community gathering places for all.
Blue and Jay 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. The team is still working on haltering, but both boys are doing very well with hand feeding and target training which is great news! For now, they’re enjoying their new habitat near the Eurasia Wilds Zoomobile station and interacting with guests from the comfort of their paddock. Not only is it enjoyable for guests as they watch them grazing in their habitat with their shaggy bangs over their eyes, but these two will play an important role in helping visitors learn more about domestic breeds and their historical significance.
Pictured: Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, revealing the names of the Highland cows.
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They are both coming out of their shells now, and when their Wildlife Care team enters the habitat they are very curious and excited to see them. Sometimes they will even get a case of the “zoomies” and run after the wheelbarrow while they are cleaning!
Jay, the smaller red-coated brother, is very brave and first to participate in training (and to get snacks from his care team!). Blue, the larger blonde brother is still a bit shy, but he is getting better coming up to the team. One thing is for sure - they do everything together!
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.
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