{"id":1083,"date":"2025-01-25T22:22:42","date_gmt":"2025-01-25T22:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/?p=1083"},"modified":"2025-06-05T14:22:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T14:22:12","slug":"high-park-zoo-and-animal-display","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/toronto\/high-park-zoo-and-animal-display\/","title":{"rendered":"High Park Zoo and Animal Display"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Toronto has had various zoos over the years, with the zoo in High Park still open. It is run by the City of Toronto and the Friends of High Park Zoo charity organization and has no admission fee. The zoo was established in 1893 and has been operating ever since &#8211; making it Canada&#8217;s &#8216;oldest animal display.&#8217; Each year the zoo has over 600,000 visitors. Quick link: <a href=\"https:\/\/wholemap.com\/HighParkZoo\">https:\/\/wholemap.com\/HighParkZoo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"655\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6-1024x655.png\" alt=\"Colourized photo of a bike rider on a road through a forest\" class=\"wp-image-1095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6-1024x655.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6-300x192.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6-768x491.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6-1536x982.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6-150x96.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-6.png 1689w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Animals on display in the zoo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While not a large zoo, it has a range of animals on display now, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Barbary sheep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bison<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Capybaras<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Llamas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mouflon sheep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peacocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reindeer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>West Highlands cattle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Yaks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"723\" data-id=\"1091\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-3-1024x723.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-3-1024x723.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-3-300x212.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-3-768x542.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-3-150x106.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-3.png 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">High Park Zoo in 1946<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"746\" data-id=\"1089\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1-1024x746.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1089\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1-1024x746.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1-768x560.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1-150x109.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1.png 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bactrian camel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does the High Park Zoo cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no cost to enter the zoo, thanks to the City of Toronto, and the Friends of High Park Zoo charity organization. Dogs are allowed, but must be kept under control, on a leash at all times. You are also free to bring your own food and drinks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting to the Zoo in High Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Park Zoo parking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a free parking lot just east of the zoo, on the south side of Deer Pen Road, near High Park Picnic site #23. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving or biking to the High Park zoo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you enter the park from the east side, along High Park Blvd, turn left (south) on Spring Road which turns into Deer Pen Road. If you enter the park on Colborne Lodge Drive then head east on Centre Road which loops south, then west, turning into Deer Pen Road. Either way, the road ends at the zoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History of the High Park Zoo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"722\" data-id=\"1094\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-5-1024x722.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1094\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-5-1024x722.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-5-300x211.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-5-768x541.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-5-150x106.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-5.png 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Day old Hog deer fawn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"416\" data-id=\"1093\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4-1024x416.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4-1024x416.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4-768x312.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4-1536x625.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4-150x61.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-4.png 1549w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Barbary Sheep or Aoudad<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1893 John and Jemima Howard donated their home, Colborne Lodge, and its 165-acre grounds to the City of Toronto for use as a public park. The animal display was established in 1893 with the keeping deer. A photo from roughly 1908 shows bison in the zoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"730\" data-id=\"1098\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-8-1024x730.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-8-1024x730.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-8-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-8-768x548.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-8-150x107.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-8.png 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Black stork in 1929<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"762\" data-id=\"1097\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-7-1024x762.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-7-1024x762.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-7-300x223.png 300w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-7-768x571.png 768w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-7-150x112.png 150w, https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-7.png 1050w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Bison in 1908<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can see a wide range of historic photos, besides the ones on this page, on our <a href=\"https:\/\/wholemap.com\/historic\/toronto.php?neighbourhood=High%20Park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wholemap historic photos around High Park page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to volunteer or support the High Park Zoo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can donate money, or volunteer to help the <em>Friends of High Park Zoo <\/em>(FHPZ). Go to their website for more details <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highparkzoo.ca\/\">https:\/\/www.highparkzoo.ca\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information, including hours and location, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/explore-enjoy\/parks-recreation\/places-spaces\/beaches-gardens-attractions\/zoos-farms\/high-park-animal-display\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.toronto.ca\/explore-enjoy\/parks-recreation\/places-spaces\/beaches-gardens-attractions\/zoos-farms\/high-park-animal-display\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">City of Toronto High Park Animal Display page<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Details on the High Park zoo in Toronto, including historic photos of the animals, how to get there, cost, and how to get involved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1102,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,9],"tags":[12,24],"class_list":["post-1083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parks","category-toronto","tag-toronto","tag-toronto-hikes-bikes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1083"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1423,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1083\/revisions\/1423"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholemap.com\/ont\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}