New Year's Eve and the giant pandas at the Toronto Zoo

Tuesday, December 31, 2013   Ring in 2014 with some NEW animal friends and join us as we help "Er Shun" and "Da Mao", our giant panda pair, celebrate their FIRST New Year's Eve in Canada! The polar bears were always bragging about how much fun New Year's is at the Zoo and in Canada, so "Er Shun" and "Da Mao" wanted in on the fun in true Zoo-fashion.   Giant pandas are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species. It is one of the most endangered species internationally, with approximately 2,000 left in the wild. The Toronto Zoo works closely with other zoos that have giant pandas to expand the numbers needed for scientific research and collaboration efforts.   The 11th Annual New Year's Eve Family Countdown  BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Front Entrance, Australasia Pavilions, Tundra Trek & The Giant Panda Experience 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (doors open at 4:45pm) and Parking is FREE! The fun begins at 5:00 pm and runs until 8:00 pm when we have our very own Kids' Countdown!
UPCOMING EVENTS:     Christmas Treats Trek HALF PRICE ADMISSION Thursday, December 26, 2013 9:30 am to 3:30 pm The Toronto Zoo is the place to be on Boxing Day! Please note this is an outdoor event.		CONSERVATION CONNECTION: The Vancouver Island Marmots Are Down for the Count! How do you care for one of the most endangered mammal species in North America that spend most of their time sleeping...very carefully! The Vancouver Island marmot is a true hibernator. Hibernation is a very critical time in an animals life-cycle where they stop eating, lower their body temperature and enter a suppressed metabolic state to conserve energy during the cold winter months. The Toronto Zoo has a special "environmental chamber" that mimics conditions in the wild and keeps temperatures at a steady 5.5 degrees Celsius. The chamber is equipped with an alarm system to alert zoo staff of any temperature fluctuations that could have negative affects on the sleeping animals. The marmots will arouse from hibernation around March/April. The Toronto Zoo is involved in a breeding and reintroduction program to save this species from extinction. Their wild numbers were as low as 25 individuals and thanks to captive breeding and reintroduction, the wild numbers are now between 350 - 400 animals. This speaks volumes for the importance of zoos and species at risk conservation. CLICK HERE for more information on this important conservation program. GO GREEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: Follow these tips to reduce your carbon footprint over the holidays! - Take the reusable bags with you when you go shopping - Forego gift-wrapping or wrap in a material that can be recycled, like brown paper- most wrapping paper can't be recycled! - Avoid hand cramps! Send eCards instead of traditional ones. - Include rechargeable batteries with electronics - Choose LED lights and use a timer, turning lights on only when people are there to see them The 2013 Toronto Zoo Leapin' Lemur Adopt-An-Animal Holiday Package Is Here! Our fabulous Leapin' Lemur Holiday Package makes gift-giving easy and includes a beautiful portrait of one of our delightful, big eyed lemurs, an absolutely adorable plush ring-tailed lemur, and so much more! Adoption fees help us take good care of the animals, protect endangered species, and pursue on-going lemur conservation efforts. CLICK HERE to purchase your package today! WHAT'S NEW ON FACEBOOK: Find us on Facebook for weekly updates and to find out what is new and exciting at the Toronto Zoo! Be part of the herd! JOKE OF THE WEEK: Q: Why does Scrooge love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? A: Because every buck is dear to him.
Looking to add some adventure to your next Corporate Event?   Why not bring your herd to the wildest venue in town-The Toronto Zoo. CLICK HERE for full details on our extensive Corporate Events Package or to book your event today!   Find us on Facebook!   ZOO HOURS Current Zoo Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, daily.  Last admissions one hour before closing. The Toronto Zoo is open year round (except Dec. 25th).   ADMISSION FEES General Admission (13-64 incl): $23 Seniors (65+): $18 Children (3-12): $14 Children (2 and under): FREE Prices include tax as applicable Parking is $10   For more information, contact Lesley Dean at (416) 392-5939. Events and admission prices subject to change without notice. For general information visit torontozoo.com. Toronto Zoo is accredited by CAZA (Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums). Look for this logo whenever you visit a Canadian zoo as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. For more information, visit caza.ca.