On a recent excursion to the High Park Zoo, High Park Alternative students in grades 4, 5 and 6 got to feed Jasper the Bison and meet Dancer the Reindeer while learning that the Arctic animal has a furry nose and furry feet to protect it from the cold.
The elementary kids braved winter weather recently so they could visit zoo keeper Sonia Dittkrist
to learn how she cares for the animals and how the zoo operates. When the students, members of the school's Junior Youth Action Group, found out that the beloved zoo faced closure due to the city's recently approved budget cuts, they were spurred into action.
As one student explained Wednesday, Feb. 1, during one of the group's lunchtime meetings, they're embarking on a letter-writing campaign to find sponsors in an effort to keep the zoo open.
"Our plan to save the zoo is to find sponsors, companies that use animals in their logo - like pet food companies," said Alice, a Grade 6 student.
The students said they are planning to include some of the interesting tidbits they learned on their visit to the zoo in their letters to businesses.
"One of the biggest lessons I learned, I had no idea there'd be Emus in Canada. I thought they'd be used to a hot environment," said Yara, a Grade 6 student, of the bird which is native to Australia.
The kids shared their reasons for wanting to keep the zoo, which dates back to 1890 when deer were kept in the open in High Park.
"It's a place where you can be with your family, with the animals anytime you want to go," said Abby, a Grade 5 student. "It's a special place."
Frances, a Grade 6 student, said she'd be really upset if the zoo was forced to close.
"When I was younger, I'd go there - it was really special. The animals are really amazing. It'd be really sad if young kids in the future couldn't go," she said.
Lyla, a Grade 5 student, said the zoo is important because "it's very close to the neighbourhood."
"Everyone loves animals," she said. "You can go there any day."
Teacher Karyn Morris said High Park Alternative students use High Park, including the zoo, as an outdoor classroom. Parkdale-High Park Councillor Sarah Doucette said the zoo costs just over $200,000 to operate a year.
"We have funding for the first six months of this year," she said.
The zoo, pointed out Doucette, doesn't just serve Wards 13 and 14, but people from all over the city. A petition circulated by the councillor received more than 6,000 signatures in addition to an online petition that received 650. A Friends of the High Park Zoo committee has been set up.
"I haven't given up yet," said Doucette. "We've got brilliant zoo keepers and our animals are healthy. We're looking for sponsors."
Online donations can be made at http://torontoparksandtrees.org/high-park-zoo