Riverview Park & Zoo To Offer Members Only Tours Starting August 15th

[Note: This post has been updated based on new media release from Peterborough Utilities Group.]

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The Riverview Park & Zoo has announced they are ready to welcome the City of Peterborough residents for guided tours of the zoo.

Their small team of staff and volunteers have been ramping up to offer exclusive, safe tours to the residents of Peterborough. Starting on Saturday, August 15th, they will be offering four tours per day, five days of the week, for groups of up to ten people, until September 7th.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

The tours will give preference to the residents of the City of Peterborough, annual donors and current animal adoptees.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 14th. For more information or to book a tour, visit riverviewparkandzoo.ca.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

The zoo attractions remain closed at this time, including the splash pad, miniature train ride, buildings and facility rentals. The zoo will open these attractions when they are able to do so in a manner that ensures the safety of the public, staff and the animals in their care.

At this time, only essential staff are on-site, taking care of the 150 animals, their exhibits, the grounds and facilities. These limited resources mean that the zoo must continue to focus on what is most important, caring for the animals and protecting the staff who keep them safe.

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The Bondar Challenge Summer Camp Goes Virtual With Riverview Park & Zoo And Otonabee Conservation

The Riverview Park & Zoo (RPZ) and Otonabee Conservation have announced that they are collaborating to bring The Virtual Bondar Challenge Summer Camp during July and August.

The Bondar Challenge, developed by The Roberta Bondar Foundation, teaches youth about their natural environment through the art of photography. Over the course of twelve days, participants will learn a variety of photography techniques, ranging from basic to advanced, through the Google Classroom online forum.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

Participants will then have the opportunity to apply these skills as they explore the scenic environments in their own backyard, neighborhood, on local trails, in parks, or conservation areas with their friends and family.

A series of weekly challenges and prizes encourages participants to spend time outside capturing the beauty of flora and fauna in our local environment. At the end of this program, participants will choose their best photograph for submission to The Roberta Bondar Foundation.

A panel of judges will evaluate photographs submitted by youth from across Canada, to select winning photographs for the summer of 2020. Winners will have their photograph featured on The Roberta Bondar Foundation’s website and will be awarded a variety of prizes.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

This year, they have developed an online format for the Bondar Challenge Summer Camp to keep kids active and keep them safe as we all work to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This summer camp program can be completed over the course of 12 days, and includes approximately 3 hours of computer time and 3 to 6 hours of outdoor photography and exploring nature on your own schedule.

Registration for the Bondar Challenge Virtual Summer Camp Program is now open. Register here, email connect@riverviewparkandzoo.ca or call us 705.748.9301 ex: 2304.

Learn more on the zoo’s Facebook page post below…

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Riverview Park and Zoo Playground To Re-Open, Zoo To Remain Closed At This Time

The Riverview Park & Zoo has announced in a Facebook post that their playground will be open to the public again starting Wednesday, July 22nd, with the following notifications and guidelines for visitors:

-> Due to limited resources and the safety of visitors and staff, all washrooms will remain closed.
-> Garbage is carry-in/carry-out. Visitors should plan accordingly to help keep the park clean.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

The zoo itself remains closed at this time: This includes the zoo area, all facilities between the gates, amenities and attractions (the zoo, splash pad, gift shop, washrooms, train ride, programs, picnic shelters and facility rentals).

Only essential staff are on-site taking care of the 150 animals, 30 exhibits, grounds and facilities, the zoo says in the post. These limited resources mean that they must continue to focus on what is most important—caring for the animals that live here, and keeping them and the staff who care for them safe.

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Riverview Park and Zoo Announce The Death Of Montana, Their Female Bobcat

It is with great sadness that the Riverview Park and Zoo announce the death of Montana, their female bobcat. Montana came to Peterborough from the Toronto Zoo in the summer of 2004. With her beautiful colouring, expressive face and inquisitive nature, Montana was a favourite with many of the zoo’s visitors.  

Montana had been treated for kidney disease for approximately two years and unfortunately she took a turn for the worse on Friday morning (March 6th). Although the Park and Zoo’s Consulting Veterinarian and Animal Health Team responded promptly to provide treatment and care, Montana died later Friday afternoon. Although not unexpected, her death is still a difficult loss for staff as they had formed a close bond with her.

Montana was a very friendly and social animal, and she greatly enjoyed when the Animal Care Staff interacted with her in her exhibit.

She would also often “stalk” Park and Zoo visitors as they approached her exhibit and would frequently preen for attention from the Animal Care Staff.

Montana died during the later afternoon on Friday as a result of complications resulting from end-stage kidney failure. She was almost twenty years old.

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Newly Expanded Meerkat Exhibit Grand Opening November 23rd At Riverview Park & Zoo

Riverview Park & Zoo (RPZ) has been able to expand its indoor meerkat exhibit by two and a half times its original size with the generous contributions from the community, including the 10th Anniversary Fun Run and a significant donation from 100 Men Peterborough.

Installed in-floor heating, high tech ventilation, improved lighting and new enrichment décor will provide a great indoor environment for the meerkats that call the zoo home this winter.

“It is because of generous community members that we are able to move forward on exhibit expansions and RPZ conservation efforts,” says Jim Moloney, Manager and Curator.

Grateful to all the contributors who made it possible, RPZ is hosting a grand opening of the exhibit on November 23rd. The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. This will be your chance to get a closer look at the meerkat family who have been off exhibit temporarily, waiting patiently for their new home to be ready.

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Reindeers Shed Their Velvet At Riverview Park & Zoo

The Peterborough Riverview Park & Zoo recently shared some amazing photos on their Facebook page of reindeers shedding their velvet. 

Here is the velvet falling off the antlers…

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

It almost looks like it’s melting off the antlers…

“Velvet is a furry covering over antlers that actually helps them develop,” Zookeeper Cherese explains.

“Velvet is made up of skin, blood vessels and soft fur. As it dries up, reindeer rub it off on trees and rocks to reveal the bone that makes up their antlers.”

Photo courtesy Riverview Park & Zoo

Watch some video the zoo sent us below of a reindeer removing her velvet…

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Zoo's Miniature Train Ride Opening Late This Year

The Riverview Park and Zoo’s popular miniature train ride traditionally opens around the Victoria Day long weekend but not this season unfortunately.

The zoo has announced that the opening has been delayed due to the project for the rehabilitation of the pump house building at the dam being delayed by the poor weather this spring.

“We are not able to operate the train until the project is completed,” the zoo says. “At this time, we’re estimating that we’ll be opening in the second week of June.”

For updates, follow the zoo on Twitter and Facebook.

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The Beloved Zoo Camel Gobi Has Passed Away

UPDATE (March 25th): People are leaving signs at the camel exhibit in honour of Gobi at the zoo. “We live in a wonderful community,” Zoo Manager & Curator Jim Moloney tells PTBOCanada. Here are some below (with Gobi’s mate Baika pictured in the background)…

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ORIGINAL POST (March 25th)

It is with great sadness that the staff of Riverview Park and Zoo have announced the death of their 10-year-old male Bactrian camel, Gobi.

Gobi came to the Park and Zoo from the Elmvale Zoo in the summer of 2009. With his large size, expressive face, and inquisitive and engaging nature, Gobi was a favourite with many of the zoo’s visitors.  

Gobi

Gobi had been in good health and his death was both sudden and unexpected. He was found to be very ill when Animal Care Staff arrived on Saturday morning.

The Park and Zoo’s Consulting Veterinarian and Animal Health Team provided treatment and care throughout the day but unfortunately Gobi died overnight Saturday night. His sudden death was an especially difficult loss for staff.

His remains have been sent to the Animal Health Laboratory at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph for determination of the cause of death.

The zoo would like thank their staff, staff from the Water Treatment Plant, and Dr. John Sallaway for their assistance in responding to Gobi’s sudden illness.

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Cuz Hey, Animals Like Unwrapping Presents Too...

The Riverview Park & Zoo in Peterborough posted adorable pictures of its animals unwrapping presents on their Facebook page.

“The Animal Care Staff added a festive theme to their animal enrichment activities this week,” the zoo says. “Our animal enrichment program plays an important role in our animal wellness plan, providing stimulation to enhance the psychological and physiological wellness of our animals.”

And, of course, the cat unwraps the box and ends up in the box…

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Remember The Old Monkey House At The Zoo

Way back in the day, the Riverview Park & Zoo's Dobbin Building down at the water was known as the "Monkey House", housing monkeys and various other slithery creatures.

The zoo shared vintage old pictures on their Facebook page of that house that will be a great trip down memory lane for many. Have a look at some pics  ("feeding the carps" not included—remember those nearby?) below...

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