Toronto Zoo celebrates 50th anniversary

The Toronto Zoo is turning 50, and celebrations are underway.

The zookicked off festivities by breaking ground on a new conservation centre that staff say will usher in a new era for the entirecommunity, both in Scarborough and beyond.

"The new community conservation centre is a space where communities can come together," the zoo's senior director of wildlife science, Dr. GabrielaMastromonaco, told CBC Toronto.

"It's an experiential approach to conservation science at Toronto Zoo it's a really wonderful next step for us."

The zoo says it's welcomed nearly 60 million people since it first opened on Aug.15, 1974.

Celebratory events

The zoo is hosting several birthday events on Thursday that are open to the public:

• 10:30 a.m. Amur TigerTalk - Eurasia Wilds.
• 11:00 a.m. Bactrian CamelFeeding - Eurasia.
• 11:30 a.m. Sumatran OrangutanTalk - Outdoor Habitat - Indo-Malaya Pavilion.
• 12:00 p.m. African PenguinTalk - Africa Savanna.
• 12:30 p.m.CougarTalk - Canadian Domain.
• 1:00 p.m. LionsTalk - Africa Savanna.
• 1:30 p.m. Polar BearsTalk - Tundra Trek.
• 2:00 p.m. New World PrimatesEnrichment/Training - Americas Pavilion.
• 2:30 p.m. GorillasTalk - African Rainforest Pavilion.
• 3:00 p.m. White RhinocerosTalk - Africa Savanna.

For a full list of celebration opportunities, visit the zoo's website.