YOUR TORONTO ZOO OFFICIALLY OPENS TO THE PUBLIC!

TORONTO, ON, Saturday, June 19, 2021: Today, the Toronto Zoo was excited to officially reopen to the public after being closed to pedestrians since November 23, 2020. With timed-tickets being sold out and anticipating 5,000 guests on its first day of full operations, a number of VIPs were on hand to officially open and welcome the eager Zoo guests. Mayor John Tory, Dolf DeJong, CEO of your Toronto Zoo, Councillors Jennifer McKelvie, Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park and Paul Ainslie, Ward 24 Scarborough-Guildwood and Chair, Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo were on hand to welcome guests and to celebrate the Zoo’s newest habitat “Goat World”.

"It's great to see the Toronto Zoo open to the public again and I encourage people to visit the Zoo this summer," said Mayor John Tory. "I want to thank the Toronto Zoo staff for working throughout the pandemic to care for all of the animals and for providing virtual options so the public could continue to connect with our Zoo while they stayed home," he added.

“Thank you for your ongoing support of your Toronto Zoo,” said Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “Thank you for engaging with our animals and staff through our many virtual opportunities over the past year and a half when we could not host you in person. Nevertheless, with your support, enthusiasm and loyalty, we have been able to maintain solid connection to our day to day Zoo activity, and now we are so pleased to finally welcome our valued guests back onsite,” he added.

“Seeing the excited faces of guests entering the Zoo today for the first time was a great moment,” said Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, Ward 25 Scarborough-Rouge Park. “Welcoming guests back to the Zoo allows for the unique opportunity to learn about the invaluable conservation efforts that go on behind-the-scenes,” she added.

“It was an exciting day today at your Toronto Zoo as we officially opened up to public who are eager to see the animals that call the Toronto Zoo home,” said Councillor Paul Ainslie, Chair, Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo. “Today’s reopening allows our residents to once again experience our beloved Zoo safely,” he added.

It is important to note the health and safety of our guests, staff, volunteers and of course animals are of paramount concern, so we will be enforcing strict adherence to all safety policies while visiting our Zoo. Please note in accordance with government restrictions, ONLY outdoor areas will be accessible to our guests in this first stage of reopening.

TIMED-TICKETING REQUIRED IN ADVANCE Pre-booked time slots are required for both Zoo Guests and Zoo Members. Tickets are ONLY available online and will not be sold on site. This is a new process to keep everyone safely and physically distanced. Visits MUST be booked in advance and tickets are available for booking now.

MASKS ARE MANDATORY Following public health guidance, all guests over the age of two years, business visitors, and Contractors, must wear a face covering or mask while in all indoor spaces, and also in all outdoor spaces when physical distancing of 2 metres (6.5 feet) from others, who are not within the guest’s own household, is challenging or not possible.  For full details on your Toronto Zoo’s mask policy,

COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES While enjoying the Toronto Zoo, we ask that you follow current Public Health Guidelines and Toronto Zoo policies that include but are not limited to:

• Timed-Ticketing to keep everyone safely physically distanced and required for all guests including Toronto Zoo Members.
• Wearing of facial coverings or masks, are mandatory for persons 2 + years of age as per the mask policy
• Practicing physical distancing: Please keep at least 2 metres (6.5 feet) from others, not within your own household or group
• Please wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with warm soapy water or use alcohol based hand sanitizer
• Practicing cough and sneeze etiquette by using a tissue or using the bend in your arm.

Media Contact Information:

Katie Gray
Manager of Strategic Communications
[email protected]

Amanda Chambers
Toronto Zoo’s Supervisor of Strategic Communications
[email protected]

For general information visit torontozoo.com

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 Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and 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

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