WELCOME BACK TO THE TORONTO ZOO
HONORARY CORPORAL JUNO!

TORONTO, ON, Friday, October 12, 2018: After being deployed to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in March 2017, Honorary Corporal Juno has returned to the Toronto Zoo! Come out to welcome Juno home beginning Saturday, October 13, 2018 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily*. Juno will be visible in the Polar Bear Habitat’s Maternity Den during her 30 day quarantine period.

When Juno was introduced to the public in February 2016, she received a special honorary ranking of Private by the Canadian Army, who officially adopted Juno at that time and then received prestigious ranking of Honorary Corporal on her first birthday in 2016.

“We are proud to have adopted Juno as an honorary member of the Canadian Army on 25 February, 2016. The polar bear was identified as an animal that is strong, brave, agile and resilient. Qualities that are embedded and fiercely represent our men and women in uniform. Today, I would like to wish Juno a happy return to her first home.” 4th Canadian Division, Toronto

The name Juno, which started out as a nickname, was confirmed as the official name for the Toronto Zoo’s female polar bear cub in February 2016. Since Juno was born on Remembrance Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Toronto Zoo Staff gave her this nickname in honour of ‘Juno Beach’. The Canadian landings on the Juno Beach Sector of the Normandy coast were one of the most successful operations carried out on D-Day, during World War II.

As a leader in conservation and species survival, the Toronto Zoo is involved in collaborative research projects with multiple accredited zoos and organizations to help better understand polar bear reproductive biology, nutrition, and provide valuable information to support polar bear education, research and conservation efforts in the wild. These organizations include Polar Bears International (PBI), Parks Canada, the North American Species Survival Program (SSP), York University, University of Guelph and Acres for the Atmosphere.

*Juno will have access to the polar bear house and may not be visible at times. Subject to change without notice.

        WELCOME BACK JUNO!

        For more information on Corporal Juno: