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Thursday, November 10, 2016

Polar Bear cub "Juno" celebrates her first "bear-thday" at the Toronto Zoo



FOR B-ROLL OF THE EVENT
The Toronto Zoo has hosted a First Bear-thday Celebration for our female polar bear cub, Juno, who turned one on Friday, November 11, 2016.
 When Juno was introduced to the public in February, she received a special honorary ranking of Private by the Canadian Army, who officially adopted Juno at that time.
 Today, the Toronto Zoo is very excited to announce our growing female polar bear cub has reached a new milestone on her first birthday and was promoted by the Canadian Army from Honorary Private to the prestigious ranking of Honorary Corporal. As part of the celebration, Juno received an ice cake with her favourite vegetables and fish, which featured the Corporal image.
At 12 months old Juno is now offered access to the large polar bear habitat and enjoys swimming in the big bear pool. She is a natural swimmer and diver and she enjoys exploring the large polar bear habitat. Juno now receives vegetables as part of her diet, and carrots are her favourite. America'
Zoo Keepers continue to work on integrating Juno into the behavioural husbandry program that our adult bears participate in, which includes training.




The name Juno, which started out as a nickname, was confirmed as the official name for the Toronto Zoo’s female polar bear cub in February 2016. Since Juno was born on Remembrance Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2015, Toronto Zoo Staff gave her this nickname in honour of ‘Juno Beach’. The Canadian landings on the Juno Beach Sector of the Normandy coast were one of the most successful operations carried out on D-Day, during World War II. Zoo staff made the nickname official, as it embodies Canadian pride which is fitting as polar bears are Canada’s national treasures. Toronto Zoo is Canada’s national leader in saving wildlife, including polar bear populations, to ensure the rich diversity of nature for future generations.
“Juno the polar bear, as the official mascot of the Canadian Army, has matured significantly over the past year.  No longer requiring significant assistance to survive, she is – like our Canadian Soldier – Strong, Proud and Ready.  Her transfer into the general polar bear population marks a significant milestone on her journey to self-sufficiency.  By conferring upon her the rank of Honorary Corporal, we are reaffirming her affiliation with our Army, of Polar Bears with our Nation, and of the Toronto Zoo as a leading institution in the preservation of this proud species worldwide,” said Brigadier-General Stephen Cadden, the Commander of 4th Canadian Division.
The now one year old cub represents a heartwarming journey of survival, one where expert Toronto Zoo Wildlife Health and Wildlife Care staff worked around the clock to save a vulnerable species. Juno, just like her brothers Hudson and Humphrey, are great Arctic Ambassadors for polar bears everywhere.  These ambassadors help to spread the word on how each person can make a difference and help save this vulnerable species and raise awareness about how our daily actions are contributing to climate change and impacting polar bears through the melting of the Arctic sea ice. The Toronto Zoo's Tundra Trek is home to the Zoo's five polar bears, Aurora, Nikita, Hudson, Humphrey and Juno. The Tundra Trek area of the Zoo focuses on climate change and its effects on species conservation.
"The Toronto Zoo's mandate is conservation, education and research and this includes a strong link with the community," said Maria Franke, Curator of Mammals, Toronto Zoo. We are honoured the Canadian Army has partnered with the Zoo by adopting Juno and assisting us in spreading the word about the plight of polar bears and inspiring the community to take action."
As a leader in conservation and species survival, the Toronto Zoo is involved in collaborative research projects with multiple accredited zoos and organizations to help better understand polar bear reproductive biology, nutrition, and provide valuable information to support polar bear education, research and conservation efforts in the wild. These organizations include Polar Bears International (PBI), Parks Canada, the North American Species Survival Program (SSP), York University, University of Guelph and Acres for the Atmosphere.
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To support our work in polar bear conservation DONATE HERE.
Please CLICK HERE for more information on Polar Bear Conservation at the Toronto Zoo.

*subject to change without notice.


UPCOMING EVENTS
THE TORONTO ZOO'S 31ST ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Photo Credit: Toronto Zoo

Ceremony Begins Promptly at 10:55 am in the Waterside Theatre
Veterans and the general public are invited to join in remembering and honouring the many wartime sacrifices that Canadians have made for their country. Admission for veterans and all guests attending the ceremony is complimentary admission* from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. The year round parking fee will be in effect except for VIP's, Veterans in uniform or with medals, crests or other military affiliation insignia, as well as any other persons in uniform, including serving members of the armed forces, police, fire, ambulance and TTC.
                                                                     For more information

JUNO'S FIRST BEAR-THDAY SPECIAL KEEPER TALKS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
 
12:00 pm, Polar Bear Exhibit, Tundra Trek
Public are welcome to come out to the Zoo this weekend on Saturday, November 12 & Sunday, November 13 to the 12:00 pm Polar Bear Keeper Talk and see Honorary Corporal Juno enjoy a birthday ice enrichment item!
Did you know, Sumatran orangutans and Western Lowland gorillas are both critically endangered?
Over the next 3 generations, both are predicted to decline by 80%.
Help the Toronto Zoo in its Great Ape conservation efforts by donating to this year’s #GivingZooDay project: blood pressure monitors.
The Toronto Zoo has launched its “text to donate” campaign which will end on #GivingZooDay on Tuesday, November 29th. By that day, we hope to have raised $3500 to buy two blood pressure monitors, one for orangutans and one for gorillas.
Text zoo to 20222 to donate, or donate on-line

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CURRENT ZOO HOURS:
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
 Last admission one hour before closing.
The Toronto Zoo is open year round (except Dec. 25th).
ADMISSION FEES:
General Admission (13-64): $23
Seniors (65+): $18
Children (3-12): $14
Children (2 and under): FREE
Members: FREE
Prices include tax as applicable
Parking is $12 year round

Events and admission prices subject to change without notice.

For general information visit torontozoo.com.

The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s premier zoo and a national leader in saving wildlife to ensure the rich diversity of nature for future generations.  More than a tourist attraction, 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 except December 25 and attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors each year.
Toronto Zoo is accredited by CAZA (Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) and AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Look for these logos 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 and aza.org
        
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