Visit Toronto Zoo This Canada Day Weekend

During this Canada Day long weekend, take your kids to the Toronto Zoo. Visit Toka, Thika and Iringa at the African Savanna region of the zoo. See Toronto Zoo Map and click the map to enlarge. The elephant area is #3 on the zoo map. It is at the left side of the map; 2nd animal round photo at the left side.

You can meet some of the various zoo keepers for informative talks or feedings. See the "Meet the Keepers" schedule. At 12:00pm noon, you can see the elephant keepers.

Before visiting the zoo, read the "African elephant" page to learn all about elephants.

Photo: Thika and Iringa.

How You Can Help

How You Can Help

There are several ways that you can help Toka, Thika and Iringa:

• Sign the petition.
• Follow @save3elephants on Twitter.
• Tell your Facebook friends.
• Tell your friends.
• Contact Mayor Ford and your City Councillor.
• Read the "About" page to learn more.

Thank you for helping Toka, Thika and Iringa.

Elephant at the Toronto Zoo: Iringa

This photo of Iringa was taken Saturday, 30-Jun-2012, at the Toronto Zoo. Send in your photos of the elephants to info@savetheelephants.ca

Kids Love Toronto's Elephants

Kids love Toronto's elephants. Christine, age 8, submitted this drawing of Thika.
You can send in your own drawing to info@SaveTheElephants.ca

The Florida Option

A collaborative effort from more than 70 AZA-accredited zoos that care for elephants, The National Elephant Center (TNEC) is a new model supporting excellence in elephant care.

The National Elephant Center is located on 225 acres (91 ha) in Fellsmere, Florida about 140km southeast of Orland.

The Center's mission is to improve the elephant population's long-term viability and welfare by promoting excellence in elephant care and management.

To accomplish this The Center collaborates with AZA-accredited zoos and other professional elephant organizations, experts and advocates; brings a scientific approach to husbandry research, professional training, and elephant reproduction; and always provides exceptional care inspired by a deep commitment to the future of elephants.

For more information, visit www.TheNationalElephantCenter.org.

See also: Toronto Star: "Zoo’s elephants: Could another retirement option be Florida?"

Applying Rotary's 4-Way Test to Toka, Thika, and Iringa

Moving Toka, Thika, and Iringa to TNEC is the right choice for them and satisfies the "4 Way Test" used by 1.2 millions of Rotarians around the world as a guiding principle in making decisions:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The Agenda with Steve Paikin: Toronto's Elephant-Gate

The Agenda with Steve Paikin, Wednesday, June 27, 2012

About the Video:
The Toronto Zoo elephants are destined to depart. When is still to be determined. The Agenda examines both sides of the elephant argument with City Councillor Michelle Berardinetti and CUPE Local 1600 President Grant Ankenman.

Guests:
00:00 to 13:04 -- Michelle Berardinetti
13:24 to 22:54 -- Grant Ankemanis

Michelle Berardinetti:
Michelle Berardinetti was elected City Councillor for Ward 35, Scarborough Southwest on October 25, 2010. She has nearly 15 years of experience as a political advisor to politicians, and a consultant to corporate and non-profit organizations.

Grant Ankemanis:
President of CUPE Local 1600 which represents workers and animal keepers at the Toronto Zoo.

Zoos More Popular Than Professional Sports

"More people go to zoos in North America every year than go to all major professional sports combined." -- Jeffrey Hyson.

(16:52 into video)

Jeffrey Hyson on The Agenda TVO

Jeffrey Hyson, Historian, Saint Joseph's University
The Agenda, Wednesday, June 27, 2012; "Jeffrey Hyson: Zoo History"

Jeffrey Hyson is an historian at Saint Joseph's University and a leading expert on American zoos.
Expertise: American Zoos, American Pop Culture, Environmental History, Animal Studies

Elephant at Toronto Zoo: Video

Elephant at Toronto Zoo: Thika does the Angelina Pose

Thika, one of the 3 Toronto‬ ‪zoo‬ female elephants, does the Angelina pose. Quite the lady.

Elephants at the Toronto Zoo: Toka and Iringa

Elephant at the Toronto Zoo: Iringa

Elephants at the Toronto Zoo: Thika and Iringa

Three Elephants at the Toronto Zoo

Elephant at Toronto Zoo