Toronto Zoo
An employee at Toronto Zoo works at the rental station for accessibility items  

Recognized as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2025):

Here are some of the reasons why Toronto Zoo was selected as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2025):

  • Toronto Zoo helps employees plan ahead with retirement planning assistance services and provides generous contributions to a defined benefit pension plan
  • Toronto Zoo supports its new families with maternity and parental leave top-ups -- and for employees with older children, discounts are available for camp programs, as well as special access privileges to the zoo and an invitation to the children's holiday party during the Christmas season
  • Toronto Zoo encourages employees to take care of their mental health with a dedicated mental health practitioner benefit as part of their health benefits plan, up to $2,500 per year
Staff care for endangered black-footed ferrets as a part of Toronto Zoo's recovery program  

    Highlights

    Industry Zoos and botanical gardens
    Established in Canada 1974
    Major Canadian locations Toronto ON
    Full-time employees in Canada 298
    Part-time employees in Canada 122
    Average age of employees in Canada 37.58 years
    Longest serving employee 43 years
    Benefits note Toronto Zoo has multiple employee groups, the following programs and policies may vary by position
    Flexible work options hybrid work option, flexible work hours, telecommuting
    Long-term savings defined-benefit (DB) pension
    Health plan premium as part of the health plan, the employer pays up to 100% of the premiums
    Mental health practitioner benefit up to $2,500 each year
    Maternity top-up (mothers) up to 65% of salary for 15 weeks
    Parental top-up (fathers) up to 65% of salary for 15 weeks
    Adoption top-up up to 65% of salary for 15 weeks
    Vacation allowance new employees receive 3 weeks of paid vacation after their first year on the job
    Outside survey period outside consultant surveys are held every 12 months
    Employee performance reviews employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months
    In-house training initiatives apprenticeship/skilled trades programs, in-house training, online training, mentoring, leadership development programs, paid internships
    Related tuition subsidies employer covers up to 75% of tuition per year
    Annual tuition maximum employer pays up to $1,500 in tuition subsidies for job-related courses per year
    Employee charitable involvement employees are involved in selection of charities

    Recognized as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2025):

    Here are some of the reasons why Toronto Zoo was selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers (2025):

    • In partnership with Network of Nature, Toronto Zoo planted its first on-site "Mini Forest," with over 2,100 trees planted -- the Zoo has also committed to planting at least one mini forest each year over the next decade
    • Toronto Zoo hosts a range of public awareness initiatives, such as the "PhoneApes" program, to collect cellphones and e-waste to raise funds and awareness about the environmental impact of electronics -- since 2006, the program has collected over 65,400 cellphones and 54 tonnes of e-waste, with all revenue directed to gorilla habitat restoration projects, veterinary services, and rehabilitation centres in Africa
    • Toronto Zoo manages a variety of waste reduction initiatives, including 31 separate waste diversion streams -- 13 streams are implemented through the TerraCycle program (covering items like plastic bags, gloves, personal safety equipment and coffee pods, while 18 streams are implemented internally (capturing materials such as fluorescent lightbulbs and hazardous waste) -- the Zoo has also recently expanded its zero-waste programs to public and guest areas
    Toronto Zoo horticulture team members cultivate new plants  

      Highlights

      Industry Zoos and botanical gardens
      Major Canadian locations Toronto ON
      Full-time employees in Canada 298
      Part-time employees in Canada 122
      Employee green team Green Eco-Zoo Team
      Senior executive who oversees initiatives Manager of Conservation Programs and Environment
      Publishes sustainability report yes
      Green highlights Plastic statement (commitments to reduce plastic used and sold, look for alternatives and create options to reuse plastic where reductions are not yet possible and ensure that 100% of plastics are recycled), formal Zero-Waste program rolled-out to public and guest areas, uniform repair program (repaired or sent to a local textile recycling program), green sustainability tours (guided tours for the public on the green technologies at the zoo), greenhouse tours (highlighting endangered plant species), Mini Forest program (in partnership with Canadian Geographic, Wilder Climate Solutions and Dougan & Associates, Toronto Zoo has committed to planting at least one Mini Forest per year over the next 10 years)
      Noteworthy initiatives formal Sustainable Events Planning Guide (helps event planners make appropriate choices to reduce the environmental impact of their events), Acres for the Atmosphere program to re-naturalize the zoo property and the surrounding Rouge River watershed (partners with local corporations and has already planted over 17,000 trees and 9,000 meadow plants over the past 8 years), "PhoneApes" program to collect cellphones and general e-waste to raise funds and awareness about the impact of electronics on the environment (has collected over 65,400 cellphones and 54 tonnes of e-waste since 2006, with all proceeds going towards gorilla habitat restoration projects, veterinary services, and rehabilitation centres in Africa), Climate Action Learning & Leadership (CALL) Program -- environmental engagement program aimed to engage and inspire youth from historically excluded communities, including low-income neighbourhoods, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) community members, and new Canadians to take action to combat climate change
      Building footprint includes PV solar panels, rainwater collection, green roof, solar water heating, geothermal heating/cooling, electric vehicle charging stations, Geothermal, PVC, and thermal solar arrays, green walls, solar tubes, native and drought-resistant landscaping, rain harvest system, floating wetlands, green roofs, building automated systems, purchase of alternative energy through Bullfrog Power, bird-friendly windows, permeable paving
      Extended recycling air care products, Brita filters, printer cartridges, writing utensils, personal care products, coffee bags, coffee pods, nitrile and plastic gloves, personal safety equipment, masks, air and water filters, cardboard, bones, fluorescent lightbulbs, hazardous waste, organics, pallets, wood, diapers, feminine products, textiles, constructed a biodigester on Zoo property, Friendlier reuse program to reduce single-use containers within its food services (pilot project launched at the African Restaurant, has recently expanded to the Peacock Cafe, Caribou Cafe, and Simba Lodge)
      Commuter amenities FaceDrive partnership, walk to public transit
      Community partnerships Parks Canada, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the City of Toronto (invasive species management plan), Pollution Probe

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