As the largest zoo in Canada, the Toronto Zoo welcomes millions of visitors every year, providing the opportunity to see many of the world's rarest and most unique animal species. While the zoo lets visitors see the animals up close—and in conditions designed to replicate natural habitats—there's a second "invisible zoo" that the public doesn't experience, William Rapley tells us. Rapley, the zoo's Executive Director of Conservation, Education & Wildlife, explains that the new Wildlife Health Centre will help improve research and veterinary care while improving public and educational access to the zoo's veterinary sciences and conservation initiatives.
Coming up on the construction site, image by Craig White
Ahead of the $14 million complex's planned Fall opening, we toured the site during the topping-off ceremony with Diamond Schmitt Principal Jon Soules, who led the design team. The 2-storey, 30,000 ft² building will "house two state-of-the-art surgical facilities, as well as holding areas and research labs," says Soules. The Wildlife Health Centre will also give members of the public an opportunity to observe scientists and veterinarians first-hand, with transparent glazing—and periodic tours— providing a direct view into the parts of building, and giving the public the ability to witness some surgeries.
The operating spaces will be much better equipped than existing facilities, image by Craig White
The Toronto Zoo's ongoing partnerships with Ontario's universities—including Guelph, U of T, and York—will also benefit from the new facility, "with student research areas on the second floor," Soules notes. In addition, the project presents a significant upgrade from "the previous surgical buildings, which are little more than wooden shacks."
The second floor will feature offices, labs, and a student research area, image by Craig White
Given the specialized nature of animal surgery, the building is designed to facilitate "video-conferencing between surgeons, putting veterinarians here in contact with professionals from around the world. If there's an operation on an ibax, for example, surgeons can conference with colleagues in South Africa to guide them through the procedure."
Natural light will provide a calming environment in the pens, image by Craig White
The facility is also designed to give each animal a comfortable environment, with indirect natural light and climate management for each pen. Indoor and outdoor pens of varying size also allow for a more customized approach to each animal's wellbeing. "We've designed the facility with efficient cleaning and high sanitary standards," Soules adds, explaining that the holding areas feature specially designed troughs for waste management.
The double-height conference room is topped by a row of windows, image by Craig White
Alongside two surgical theatres and extensive holding facilities, the Diamond Schmitt-designed building—which adjoins the zoo's administrative offices—will house offices, research labs, and a conference space. A specially designed vehicle access point is built to facilitate the efficient transportation of animals. Large animals will be carried by a rail installed along the ceiling, which will allow heavy patients to be placed onto gurneys with minimal difficulty.
The ceiling-mounted mechanism will allow for transport of large animals, image by Craig White
Soules describes the project as an advancement of the zoo's conservation and research initiatives, in contrast to the commercial, voyeuristic appeal sought by many zoos. Rapley, who has worked at the zoo since its opening in 1974, describes the project as "part of the bucket list. Getting it done means a lot."
Topping off with cake, with Rapley (far left), Soules (far right), and zoo officials, image by Craig White
Concluding our tour, Rapley takes us to visit one of the zoo's newest residents, a polar bear cub called Juno. Born on Remembrance Day, Juno—named for the D-Day Beach—is now an official mascot of the Canadian Military and an social media celebrity. While our tour focused primarily on the conservation and research efforts that the new facility will help spur, we ended the tour with an undeniably adorable reminder of who the facility is really for.
Juno contemplates a nap, image by Craig White
Additional information about the Toronto Zoo's new Wildlife Health Centre can be found on the zoo's official website. Want to share your thoughts on the new facility? Feel free to leave a comment in the space below this page.