Indoor African Savanna
At your Toronto Zoo, animal welfare is the forefront of everything we do — and that means giving animals the choice and control to decide how they interact with their environment.
The new Indoor African Savanna habitat will ensure that these animals not only have access to a warm, enriching space year-round but also provide opportunities for visitors to connect with them in new and meaningful ways – even during the coldest days of the year
The new habitat is designed with the animals in mind, thinking about how they travel with purpose through a space, interacting with different species, and engaging in natural behaviours.
Indoor African Savanna
At your Toronto Zoo, animal welfare is the forefront of everything we do — and that means giving animals the choice and control to decide how they interact with their environment.
The new Indoor African Savanna habitat will ensure that these animals not only have access to a warm, enriching space year-round but also provide opportunities for visitors to connect with them in new and meaningful ways – even during the coldest days of the year
The new habitat is designed with the animals in mind, thinking about how they travel with purpose through a space, interacting with different species, and engaging in natural behaviours.
Why
White Rhinoceros
White Rhinoceros
White rhinoceroses are powerful and social animals that need plenty of space to move, rest, and engage in species-typical behaviours like wallowing and social bonding. During the colder months, our rhinos are given the choice to stay indoors—and they often do—which means guests rarely get to see them from late fall to early spring.
The new Indoor African Savanna Habitat will provide a large, climate-controlled space that supports year-round access to natural light, enriching substrates, and more room to roam. Designed with both guest sightlines and rhino welfare in mind, this new habitat will offer an immersive way for visitors to observe these incredible animals while ensuring that the rhinos themselves remain in control of their environment.
With wild populations still under serious threat from poaching and habitat loss, every opportunity to see and learn about white rhinos up close helps inspire support for their conservation.
Grevy's Zebra
Grevy's Zebras
Grevy’s zebras are the largest, and most endangered, of all zebra species. With fewer than 2,000 remaining in the wild, the work of accredited zoos like yours is critical to their survival. These animals are highly alert, social, and active, and they thrive in environments that allow them to interact dynamically with their herd and surroundings.
At your Toronto Zoo, Grevy’s zebras are given the choice to head indoors when the weather is cold. While this is best for their health and comfort, it means that guests rarely get to see their energetic behaviours during the winter months.
The new indoor habitat will offer a spacious and engaging environment where Grevy’s zebras can continue to move freely, explore new stimuli, and interact with other savanna species. Visitors will be able to enjoy a more consistent and enriching viewing experience, while learning about the challenges these zebras face in the wild—and what’s being done to protect them.
Quick Facts
- The new Indoor African Savanna habitat will be a state-of-the-art, multi-species indoor space, where guests can view these endangered animals year-round.
- With a viewing platform above, guests will get a bird’s eye view of the savanna animals.
- In addition, the new building will also have multiple special event spaces, complete with catering opportunities for conferences, meetings and birthdays. Guests will have the unique experience of meeting in the African Savanna.
- With plenty of interactive displays, guests will learn of the conservation efforts of your Toronto Zoo for these endangered species.
- A new children’s play area and retail shop round out the space.
- Anticipating breaking ground in 2026, with completion in 2028!
Our Vision
Contact Us
Where hope meets action:
As we confront the dual challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, we are fuelled by a profound sense of optimism, confident in the Zoo’s expertise and ability to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Contact us to learn more:
Alison Kenn, Campaign Manager
416-392-5983
akenn@torontozoo.ca