Indoor African Savanna
Imagine a place where the rhythm of the African savanna comes alive in every season—a place where conservation, animal well-being, and education connect to create an unforgettable experience.
At your Toronto Zoo, animals like white rhinos and Grevy’s zebras retreat from view during the colder months. The new Indoor African Savanna Habitat will change that, offering a warm, enriching environment that supports their natural behaviours and allows guests to connect with them year-round.
With sweeping views from elevated platforms, immersive displays, and vibrant spaces for play, learning, and celebration, this innovative new habitat will transform how visitors experience wildlife.
It’s more than a new space; it’s a bold step toward inspiring conservation action and protecting the future of wildlife. Join us on this journey.
Indoor African Savanna
Imagine a place where the rhythm of the African savanna comes alive in every season—a place where conservation, animal well-being, and education connect to create an unforgettable experience.
At your Toronto Zoo, animals like white rhinos and Grevy’s zebras retreat from view during the colder months. The new Indoor African Savanna Habitat will change that, offering a warm, enriching environment that supports their natural behaviours and allows guests to connect with them year-round.
With sweeping views from elevated platforms, immersive displays, and vibrant spaces for play, learning, and celebration, this innovative new habitat will transform how visitors experience wildlife.
It’s more than a new space; it’s a bold step toward inspiring conservation action and protecting the future of wildlife. Join us on this journey.
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 your Toronto Zoo 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.
Common Eland
Common Eland
The common eland is the world’s second largest antelope, known for its gentle nature and impressive spiralled horns. These adaptable grazers and browsers roam the savannas and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa, where they travel in herds in search of food and water.
At your Toronto Zoo, the eland herd plays an important role in sharing the story of Africa’s vast and interconnected ecosystems. They are calm and social animals, often seen resting together or moving slowly through their habitat—though males can leap over two metres when startled!
The new indoor African Savanna habitat will allow the elands to enjoy a comfortable, enriching space year-round. Guests will have the chance to observe their natural behaviours up close, while learning how sustainable conservation programs help protect these magnificent antelope and the wild places they call home.
Greater Kudu
Greater Kudu
The greater kudu is one of Africa’s most striking antelope species, recognized by the long spiral horns of the males and the white stripes that run along their sleek bodies. These quiet, graceful animals are found in the woodlands and savannas of eastern and southern Africa, where their colouring helps them blend into the dappled light of the trees.
At your Toronto Zoo, greater kudus are admired for their calm and observant nature. They are most active in the early morning and evening, browsing on leaves, fruits, and flowers. Their shy behaviour and keen senses make them a wonderful example of how wildlife adapts to its environment.
The new indoor African Savanna habitat will provide the kudus with a comfortable and engaging space during the colder months. Visitors will be able to see these beautiful antelope more often while learning how accredited zoos and conservation programs are working together to protect their species and the ecosystems they depend on.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
With your support, Toronto Zoo’s Indoor African Savanna will be a world-class centre of excellence in animal health, welfare, conservation, and community engagement.
- Bird’s eye view of the savanna animals: clear, expansive views from a viewing platform that overlooks the savanna below, offering a more engaging and immersive guest experience.
- Multi-species indoor space: the white rhino, Grevy’s zebra, eland, and kudo are some of the species that will roam this state-of-the-art, climate-controlled space designed to enhance the well-being of these species year-round.
- Travel with purpose: designed with the animals in mind, this new space will allow our hoof-stock animals to engage in natural behaviours, even during the coldest months.
- Conservation action: through interactive displays, guests will learn about the conservation efforts of your Toronto Zoo for these endangered and threatened species.
- Special event spaces: complete with catering opportunities for conferences, meetings, and birthdays, guests will enjoy a unique experience set against the African savanna.
- A community gathering space: AODA compliant, this new and exciting space also features a children’s play area, a resting lounge, retail space and upgraded first aid facilities.
- Timeline: anticipating breaking ground in fall 2026, with completion in 2028!
With your support, Toronto Zoo’s Indoor African Savanna will be a world-class centre of excellence in animal health, welfare, conservation, and community engagement.
- Bird’s eye view of the savanna animals: clear, expansive views from a viewing platform that overlooks the savanna below, offering a more engaging and immersive guest experience.
- Multi-species indoor space: the white rhino, Grevy’s zebra, eland, and kudo are some of the species that will roam this state-of-the-art, climate-controlled space designed to enhance the well-being of these species year-round.
- Travel with purpose: designed with the animals in mind, this new space will allow our hoof-stock animals to engage in natural behaviours, even during the coldest months.
- Conservation action: through interactive displays, guests will learn about the conservation efforts of your Toronto Zoo for these endangered and threatened species.
- Special event spaces: complete with catering opportunities for conferences, meetings, and birthdays, guests will enjoy a unique experience set against the African savanna.
- A community gathering space: AODA compliant, this new and exciting space also features a children’s play area, a resting lounge, retail space and upgraded first aid facilities.
- Timeline: anticipating breaking ground in fall 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:
Kathy Koch, Executive Director
416-392-5913
kkoch@torontozoo.ca