Animals and exhibits
More than 5,000 animals of 500+ species live at the Toronto Zoo, grouped by continent of origin into eight zoogeographic regions. Below: what each region holds, plus featured species with their conservation status.
Eight regions
Africa
Savanna and rainforest species: western lowland gorillas, Masai giraffes, lions, zebras, antelope and African penguins.
Americas
New World species: jaguars, spider monkeys, flamingos and other North and South American animals.
Australasia
Kangaroos, wallabies, emus and other species of Australia and nearby islands.
Canadian Domain
A wooded ravine with Canada's own wildlife: moose, wolves, cougars and bears.
Discovery Zone
Family area with the Kids Zoo and a splash pad for hot days.
Eurasia Wilds
Amur tigers, snow leopards, red pandas and other European and Asian species.
Indo-Malaya
Tropical South and Southeast Asia: Sumatran orangutans, gibbons and more.
Tundra Trek
Arctic species, headlined by polar bears and Arctic wolves.
Animals to look for
Statuses follow the IUCN Red List and are updated over time - check the Red List for current assessments.
| Animal | Region | IUCN status | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western lowland gorilla | Africa | Critically Endangered | Wikipedia |
| Sumatran orangutan | Indo-Malaya | Critically Endangered | Wikipedia |
| Polar bear | Tundra Trek | Vulnerable | Wikipedia |
| Masai giraffe | Africa | Endangered | Wikipedia |
| African penguin | Africa | Endangered | Wikipedia |
| Moose | Canadian Domain | Least Concern | Wikipedia |
| Jaguar | Americas | Near Threatened | Wikipedia |
| Blanding's turtle | Native species programs | Endangered | Wikipedia |
Animal welfare
Accredited zoos treat welfare as a core responsibility: habitats are designed around species' needs, and animals receive professional veterinary and nutritional care. The zoo publishes its welfare and wildlife science work on the official website; its conservation programs extend the mission beyond the gates.