LEOPARD SPOTTING
Ten exotic cats born in the Toronto Zoo despite being closed for two weeks by strike,
The Toronto Zoo, closed for two weeks by a strike with no sign of settlement, wants people to know animal life continues behind the locked gates.
The city-owned zoo issued a cheery news release Wednesday announcing the births in recent days of 10 exotic cats, all to first-time mothers.
Three snow leopards, an endangered Himalayan carnivore, were born last Thursday to the zoo’s seven-year-old female, Ena, and 13year-old dad, Kota. They are nursing well and monitored via camera by non-union staff.
On Saturday, the zoo got its first clouded leopard births, a pair born to female Pavarti and male Mingma, both four-year-olds from the Nashville Zoo.
Pavarti was not nursing or mothering them, so a veterinarian gave them fluids on Sunday. They were moved Monday to an intensive-care unit in the zoo’s new $18-million wildlife health centre.
“They are currently stable and will continue to receive 24-7 care,” the zoo said of the distinctively patterned cats designated vulnerable because of hunting and deforestation.
On Sunday, five cheetah cubs were born to four-year-old female Laini and eight-year-old male Patonga.
Laini came to the Toronto Zoo from Parc Safari in Montreal as part of a co-operative conservation breeding program. The zoo has now hosted the births of 53 of the speedy cats which have a “vulnerable” designation.
“We are absolutely delighted about these new arrivals, and for the clouded leopard cubs, our joint wildlife health and wildlife care team are working around the clock in the new ICU to help ensure they continue to thrive,” said Dr. Chris Dutton, the zoo’s chief veterinarian, in the news release.
The release did not mention, noted CUPE Local 1600 president Chris-
“(Keepers) have been looking forward to those babies for years, so they’re kind of heartbroken now.” CHRISTINE MCKENZIE LOCAL 1600 PRESIDENT
tine McKenzie, that the clouded leopards were saved with help from a striking veterinary technician. With union permission, she crossed the picket line and helped care for the cubs for about five hours late Sunday and into Monday.
Contract talks between the zoo and more than 400 staff who went on strike May 11 broke down Sunday.
Union president McKenzie said she has not heard from the provincially appointed mediator since the impasse was declared.
The zoo rejected a union offer that would have maintained a guarantee that the zoo keep a minimum 150 full-time permanent staff, but relinquish job-security protections — from being laid off if their job was contracted out — for staff with less than four years’ service.
Zoo staff rejected a counter-offer that would have protected current staff from losing jobs to contracting out, a protection new hires would get only after11years of full-time service, which they dubbed a “two-tier” contract.
Keepers who normally work with the pregnant cats “have been looking forward to those babies for years, so they’re kind of heartbroken now, but overall our members’ spirits are good,” McKenzie said.
Jennifer Tracey, the zoo’s senior communications director, said the animals are doing “quite well” with only non-union staff caring for them.
“The conservation programs are continuing as well as the breeding programs,” she said.
“All of the animals are being fed their regular daily diets and getting outside.”
Asked if any animals have died since the strike began, Tracey said she is aware of a llama with severe age-related osteoarthritis being euthanized Tuesday. Also, a tur — a mountain-dwelling goat-antelope — born to a neglectful mother was euthanized.
The zoo remains closed as it begins to head into its busiest season.
Last May, the attraction and breeding-research facility had more than 150,000 guests, attendance that jumped to about 180,000 in June.