Riverview Park and Zoo's James Hamilton Railway Closed For Maintenance
/The Riverview Park and Zoo James Hamilton Railway is closed for maintenance until further notice.
The railway welcomes over 66,000 riders each season. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
Peterborough Blogs
Riverview Park & Zoo's 13th Annual Fun Run Held On June 29 to Support Aviary Exhibits
/Jog your way to helping the birds as the Riverview Park and Zoo’s (RPZ) 13th annual Fun Run takes place on June 29.
Last year’s event supported construction of the new outdoor meerkat exhibit. Photo courtesy of Riverview Park & Zoo.
This year’s proceeds will fund the aviary exhibits which include emu, peafowl, turkey and guineafowl species.
“The Fun Run began in 2011 by community members that wanted to help contribute to the Riverview Park & Zoo.” said Cathy Mitchell, RPZ manager and curator. “Jim and Jodi Mulder created and managed the volunteer-led RPZ Fun Run for seven years.”
The Fun Run's goal is to raise $5,000 to support the construction of a new outdoor aviary and the revitalization of indoor aviary spaces. All funds raised from the Fun Run will go toward this goal.
“The event has supported some significant and varied improvements to the Park and Zoo over the years,” said Mitchell. “The funds raised focus on accessibility, conservation efforts, and excellence in animal care standards. The Park and Zoo is proud to be such a key part of the Peterborough culture and is shaped and made better by the generosity of our community.”
Registration can be found online. The following is the race-day schedule:
Race Day Schedule:
8:10 a.m. - Yoga warmup in the Gazebo
8:25 a.m. - 1K runners at the starting line
8:30 a.m. - 1K race begins
9 a.m. - 1K racers pick up medals
9:10 a.m. - 5K runners at the starting line
9:15 a.m. - 5K race begins
10 a.m. - 5K racers pick up medals
In-person registration and race kit pick-up are available at the Rotary Education Centre at Riverview Park and Zoo on June 27 and June 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. You can also register in person on June 29 before the race begins between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. The 1k race begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5k race starts at 9:15 a.m. There are prizes for kids under 12 in the 1k and the top three males and females overall in the 5k.
RPZ encourages those to dress up as birds for the event as there are additional prizes for the best animal costume and top three fundraisers.
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Riverview Park and Zoo’s Nine-Year-Old Sichuan Takin, Yao Ming, Passes Away
/The Riverview Park and Zoo’s (RPZ) Sichuan Takin, Yao Ming has passed away, announced on Friday.
Photocourtesy of the Riverview Park & Zoo.
The nine-year-old Sichuan Takin experiencing a decline in his overall health and body condition over the last few months and passed away overnight according to the Zoo.
His remains have been sent to the Guelph University Animal Health Laboratory in Kempsville for determination of the cause of death.
“We would like to especially thank our consulting veterinarian Dr. John Sallaway and his team of health experts and specialists who offered their knowledge and support in the diagnosis and treatment of the beloved takin. As well, we extend our gratitude and condolences to the caring zookeepers who had given extra attention to Yao Ming’s special needs and health over his lifetime at Riverview Park and Zoo. His loss will be significantly felt in the community, and he will be sorely missed by his RPZ team,” according to a statement made by the Zoo.
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Elementary School Students Explore the Element of Life at the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival
/Over 650 students from grades two to five got to explore the element of life in the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) at the lower grounds of the Riverview Park & Zoo on Wednesday morning.
A student takes a close look at an aquatic larvae at the Healthy Shorelines Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.
The festival had over 35 interactive learning centres designed for children to explore the importance of water conservation. There were over 45 classes to attend from over 20 different schools in the Region over two days.
Patricia Skopelianos, Chair of the PCWF Organizing Committee, says that new guest activity centres are joining this year’s festival including The Peterborough Public Library’s book bike to celebrate their 2024 Summer Reading Challenge theme of water.
“In addition, we are welcoming a new activity centre called Leveraging the Locks featuring an interactive model of a canal lock,” she said. “To teach kids about how they work, and why we have them on the Trent-Severn Waterway.”
The activity centers exciting allow students to explore the concepts of water conservation, cultural perspectives, water attitudes, technology, protection and science.
The Peterborough Children’s Water Festival is one of 25 festivals across the province this year. Since its inception in 2001, the PCWF has reached more than 30,388 elementary students and 6,684 teachers and parent helpers from across Peterborough City and County according to a press release.
“We are very fortunate to have tremendous community support for the Peterborough Children's Water Festival” said Skopelianos “For 22 years, local businesses and agencies have made generous financial contributions. We also have many volunteers who give their time and expertise and several more who provide in-kind contributions. Our community helps make this Festival a reality for the children.”
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Siemens Canada Employees Plant 100 Trees and Shrubs at Riverview Park & Zoo
/Employees from Siemens Canada in Peterborough planted 100 native trees and shrubs at the Riverview Park & Zoo on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.
The planting was in partnership with Tree Canada and Otonabee Conservation.
A variety of native trees and shrubs, including buttonbush, speckled alder, tamarack, Saskatoon serviceberry, and silky dogwood will increase species diversity and enhance habitat for local wildlife in the area adjacent to the Otonabee River on the Riverview Park and Zoo grounds according to Otonabee Conservation.
“Siemens employees have planted a wide selection of trees in the Peterborough-area in the past ten years, and more than 17,800 trees in total across Canada,” said Ian Almond, Siemens plant manager. “Beautifying our community and contributing to a more sustainable future is a responsibility and an honour. We are grateful to our employees and our local partners who help make it happen.”
“We are thrilled to continue working with Tree Canada and Siemens to make habitat enhancements in our watershed,” said Janette Loveys Smith, Otonabee Conservation CAO/secretary-treasurer. “We value our ongoing partnership and our shared commitment of supporting community engagement and the environment.”
“Riverview Park and Zoo, welcomes over 300,000 visitors a year with no admission fee for outdoor education and recreation. We are home to many native species of wildlife that share our natural spaces on the shores of the Otonabee River,” said Cathy Mitchell, Riverview manager and curator. “This project, with support from our valued partners, will help achieve the goal to further naturalize the shoreline and create more bird and pollinator friendly spaces.”
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Riverview Park and Zoo Beloved 10-Year-Old Capybara Pablo Passes Away
/Pablo, the beloved capybara of Riverview Park and Zoo has passed away according to staff in a press release sent out on Wednesday morning.
File Photo.
The 10-year-old capybara arrived from the Toronto Zoo in 2015.
The Animal Health Team had been monitoring Pablo closely as his health had started to deteriorate. The consulting veterinarian and Animal Health Team provided treatment and care promptly, Pablo passed away Tuesday morning. He died from complications arising from several age-related conditions according to a press release.
The park released this statement regarding Pablo’s passing:
“Pablo was loved greatly by both our visitors and staff… …We would like to thank our staff and Dr. John Sallaway for their assistance with Pablo’s ongoing treatment and care. Pablo will be greatly missed by our community. The Park and Zoo would like to extend their gratitude for the public’s continuous support and appreciation of Pablo.”
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American Zoologists The Kratt Brothers Come to Peterborough to Film ‘Wild Kratts’ Episode Featuring Riverview Park and Zoo Camels
/Martin and Chris Kratt stopped by the Riverview Park and Zoo on Tuesday to film for their PBS Kids show ‘Wild Kratts,’ which aims to educate young viewers on zoology and ecology.
photo courtesy of riverview park and zoo, facebook.
Martin and Chris Kratt are zoologists and actors who host the educational series. They have produced five TV series including ‘Kratts’ Creatures’ and ‘Zoboomafoo’ which educate children on different species through live-action and cartoon segments.
The brother’s filmed with Riverview’s Bactrian Camels for the upcoming episode.
Wild Kratts is in its seventh season on PBS, which can be streamed in Canada on TVOKids.
Kids Get An Aquatic Lesson From the Peterborough Children's Water Festival
/Over 650 students from over 20 schools in grades 2 to 5 got educated about the element of life as they attended the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival (PCWF) at Riverview Park and Zoo on Wednesday morning.
Julius the turtle and Peterborough Green up’s Karen O’Krafka are presenting to over 300 children at the return of the Peterborough Children’s Water Festival. Photo by David Tuan bui.
The festival returned to an in-person event after going for the last three years in a digital format.
“We are excited to once again offer a live, in-person Water Festival this year after three years of virtual programming,” says Patricia Skopelianos, PCWF chair.
The two-day event saw students from 45 classes from the Kawartha Pine Ridge District and Peterborough, Victoria, Northumberland and Clarington Catholic School Boards learn about water at over 20 learning stations ranging from water consumption, leaks to conservation.
“Once again, we are pleased to offer several activity centres in the French language with the involvement of students from St. Peter Catholic Secondary School,” said Skopelianos. “We are also welcoming back Elder Dorothy Taylor for a midday Sacred Water teaching, Adventures in Understanding by The Paddling Puppeteer Glen Caradus, Stepping Stone by The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre, and The Great Fish Migration by OFAH’s Bring Back the Salmon, who will all be returning to the Festival this year.”
During the event, a ceremony was held to commemorate and thank all who supported and sponsored the event.
“We are very fortunate to have tremendous community support for the Peterborough Children's Water Festival,” said Skopelianos. “For 22 years, local businesses and agencies have made generous financial contributions. We also have many volunteers who give their time and expertise and several more who provide in-kind contributions. Our community helps make this Festival a reality for the children.”
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Jim Carrey Spotted In Peterborough While Scouting Filming Locations For Ace Ventura 3
/UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. 01/04/23
APRIL FOOLS! Did we get you? Jim Carrey was sighted at Peterborough Airport in 2014. It is said that he has property in the Buckhorn area.
Renowned actor Jim Carrey was recently spotted in Peterborough and several other local spots, scouting potential filming locations for his next movie, Ace Ventura 3.
Twitter Photo.
The Newmarket native has had ties to Peterborough, owning a cottage in the Bancroft area and spending several days there in between shoots.
He reached out to fellow Canadian actress Linda Kash at Market Hall (best known for her role as the Philadelphia Cream Cheese angel) to collaborate and help find potential filming spots in town.
“Both of us were big in the 90s and I don’t know how we never had the chance to work together,” explained Kash. “When he called me and asked for my help, I couldn’t say no. I’ve always loved watching him and was a big inspiration to me when I was starting my acting career.”
A movie poster teaser of Ace Ventura 3. A sequel for the series’s third incarnation ahs been 18 years in the making.
Carrey’s movie series, ‘Ace Ventura’ is reputable for its plot of the title character of a pet detective rescuing captive or missing animals.
One spot Kash recommended was the Riverview Park and Zoo as Carrey was brainstorming ideas for exotic animals to be missing in his upcoming film, according to Cathy Mitchell, zoo program supervisor.
“Jim was discussing ideas of what animals we could showcase for his upcoming film,” she explained. “We made suggestions of our beloved otters, Hazard the lynx and several other animals but he was particularly fond of Pablo, our 10-year-old Capybara. We’re incredibly honoured that our beautiful Pablo could become a movie star in the near future.”
Pablo celebrated his 10th birthdya on Valentine’s day. Photo courtesy of Riverview Park & Zoo.
The Peterborough Memorial Centre was in the presence of Carrey as the Peterborough Petes’s mascot Roger was discussed as a potential ‘missing animal’ for the third movie. This would follow in the footsteps of the first movie as it used ‘Snowflake,’ an actual dolphin that was kidnapped while being the Miami Dolphins’ mascot in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
“Roger has been an incredible and iconic mascot for the Peterborough Petes for the past 12 years,” said Adam King, Petes director of marketing. “To potentially see him on a big stage with an actor as famous as Jim Carrey would be wonderful for the Petes organization and Peterborough.
Peterborough Petes Mascot Roger, caught by surprise at the Canada Day Parade last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui
Kash recommended Peterborough Lift Lock as another filming location for the movie. Carrey said the unique structure could be a perfect spot as a climax scene for the movie as a ‘final showdown’ according to Chad Buchner, Ontario Waterways manager of canal operations.
“With the way the Lift Lock was built and how it operates, Jim told me that there are several angles he could go with filming scenes here,” he explained. “We could have someone falling from atop the Lift Lock, get trapped underneath the water or a boat chase scene along the Trent-Severn Waterway. The possibilities are practically endless.”
File Photo.
Kinsmen Club Donates $25,000 Towards New Zoo Train; New Bell Purchased From Community Funding
/The Riverview Park & Zoo is one step closer to getting a new train for next year as the Kinsmen Club Of Peterborough donated $25,000 on Wednesday morning.
The Kinsmen Club has been a partner in the Park and Zoo since the organization’s beginning. Photo By Luke Best.
“When we heard about their campaign to replace the train ride, we knew it was a great fit for our club to get on board,” said Barry Craft, Kinsmen Club president. “Our membership support was unanimous for this project as we feel that Riverview Park and Zoo brings tremendous value to our community.”
“The community support groups have come out in a big way,” Jim Moloney, zoo manager and curator. “We've already started to see a good groundswell of support from individual community members but we're really depending upon that to take us the rest of the way.”
The train will cost $350,000 and 60 per cent of funding has already been achieved through community donations and Kiwanis snack bar profits.
The original bell was stolen overnight and reported to the public on April 30. Photo by Luke Best.
The zoo acquired a new bell after a community member found one online from a store in North Bay last month. The zoo purchased the bell and took roughly two weeks for its arrival.
It will be on the current train after a mount has been built for it. The bell will hopefully be outfitted for the new train next year according to Maloney.
The original bell was reported stolen overnight and was publically announced that it was missing on the morning of April 30.
Roughly $5,100 was raised for the bell’s replacement but cost $2,600 according to Cathy Mitchell, zoo program supervisor. The surplus will go towards the funding of the new train.
