Why has the Toronto Zoo and Terra Lumina closed?

TORONTO, ON, Tuesday, January 5, 2022 – On Monday, the Government of Ontario announced they were moving the province into modified Step 2 of their Re-opening Ontario Plan and implementing new measures due to the huge rise in COVID-19 cases that are currently occurring and only expected to rise in the coming weeks. As a result of this announcement, the Toronto Zoo made the decision to temporarily close the Zoo and Terra Lumina effective Wednesday, January 5, 2022 until at least January 27, 2022. This decision has many Torontonians asking why they can’t go to the zoo when a great deal of the exhibits are outside.

While the outdoor portion of our Zoo could have remained open under the new government regulations, the Toronto Zoo says they are “taking the proactive and necessary step of closing the Zoo to further protect the health and safety of our staff/volunteers, members, guests and of course, our animals, especially those animals that are susceptible to COVID-19.”

“Our priority is to maintain critical staffing levels in essential areas related to the care and welfare of our animals and infrastructure,” says Amy Naylor, Media Relations coordinator for Toronto Zoo. “This temporary closure provides us with the ability to refocus efforts and train additional staff to move into these essential positions should we find ourselves short staffed due to a number of COVID-19 cases or self-isolation/quarantine requirements. During this temporary closure, there will be Zoo staff on-site to ensure our animals continue to receive the highest levels of care and our critical infrastructures are maintained,” said Naylor.

While the provincial restrictions are temporarily in place the Toronto Zoo plans to continue connecting people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction, and we will continue to offer free virtual and paid educational programming during this time through its zoo to You program.

“As this situation evolves, we will keep sharing updates on our social media and at www.torontozoo.com,” said Naylor.

Current ticket-holders are able to use their tickets when we reopen or can receive a refund by contacting Guest Relations at info@torontozoo.com. Our valued Toronto Zoo Members will be granted an extension on their memberships that reflect the number of weeks closed. 

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