Recognized as one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers (2025):
By Richard Yerema and Kristina Leung, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Dec 2, 2024)
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

Staff care for endangered black-footed ferrets as a part of Toronto Zoo's recovery program

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):
By Richard Yerema and Chantel Watkins, and Sonja Verpoort, Mediacorp Canada Inc. staff editors (Apr 21, 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

Toronto Zoo horticulture team members cultivate new plants

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 |