The Board granted approval for:

1.         Staff to proceed with the production of creative as required.

2.         Zenith Optimedia to purchase media for the 2010 advertising campaign.

This report seeks Board approval to proceed with expenditures related to the 2010 paid advertising campaign. The 2010 creative production and media budget is unchanged from 2009.  The Zoo achieved the third highest attendance level in the Zoo’s history in 2009.

The Board:

1.         Authorized the Toronto Zoo to enter into a contract with the University of Guelph for the continuation of the Veterinary Fellowship program for a three-year period from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2013.

2.         Requested the Chief Executive Officer to report to the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo on the feasibility of creating a Wildlife Veterinary Rehabilitation Specialist within the Veterinary Fellowship Program, and/or with other partnership opportunities, as part of the 2011 Operating Budget.

Approval is requested to continue the Veterinary Fellowship program with the University of Guelph for a further three-year period.

The Board:

1.         Endorsed the concept of a Rouge National Park on the lands shown as areas 1, 2 and 3 on Schedule A, attached to the report dated April 23, 2010, from the Chief Executive Officer.

2.         Supported the development of a “Founding Deal” including, but not limited to, the elements of such a deal as outlined in Schedule B, attached to the report dated April 23, 2010, from the Chief Executive Officer.

3.         Directed that the Rouge Park Alliance be formally advised of the Board's position on the Recommendations 1 and 2 above.

On February 5, 2010, the Rouge Park Alliance unanimously approved the receipt of a consultants’ report recommending the creation of a Rouge National Park, the preparation of a “Founding Deal” and other related matters.  The Alliance also requested that the report be circulated to its member organizations for comment.  Zoo staff have reviewed the Rouge Park Governance Review report and are in general agreement with the conclusions and recommendations.  It is recommended that the Board of Management formally endorse the National Park concept, advise the Rouge Park Alliance of its position, and work with the Alliance to achieve this goal.

The Board approved the recommendation in the report dated April 23, 2010, from the Chief Operating Officer to transfer $309,000 from the Siberian Tiger Exhibit and Holding Refurbishment Project to the African Rainforest Pavilion South Exhibit Refurbishment project.

This report recommends the reallocation of funding for use at the south half of the African Rainforest Pavilion.

This report will update the Board on the 2009 results and 2010 goals for the Zoo’s Membership program.

The Board:

1.         Received for information the report dated March 19, 2010, from the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications respecting the 2010 Special Feature and Events Plan.

2.         Requested the Chief Executive Officer to hold a VIP engagement event for the 'Sharks at Stingray Bay Exhibit' on a Saturday or Sunday morning in June 2010.

3.         Requested the Chief Executive Officer to report to the Board of Management on including the following events in the 2010 Special Feature and Events Plan, if possible, and the 2011 Plan:

            a.         a 'Chair's Night Under the Stars' at Bush Camp; and

            b.         Cultural Days at the Toronto Zoo.

4.         Requested the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer to report to the Management Committee on the appointment of Board Members to a staff Special Events Committee.

This report outlines the key exhibit features and special events planned for 2010.

This report updates the Board on the Zoo’s environmental initiatives and activities undertaken in 2009.

The Board:

1.         Received for information the report dated April 21, 2010, from the Executive Director, Conservation, Education and Research respecting the Toronto Zoo Conservation and Education Activities Report 2008-2009.

2.         Directed that its appreciation be expressed to all staff who contributed to the success of the Conservation and Education programs and activities referred to in the 2008-2009 Report.

This report provides the Board with a summary of the Toronto Zoo Conservation and Education Activities Report 2008-2009. In addition, the Toronto Zoo web site has additional information on these activities and programs.  There are a number of information brochures also available.

This report updates the Board on the Zoo’s energy consumption for 2009.

This report is provided to update the Board on the approval of the 2010 Operating Budget by City Council.

This report will present the preliminary operating results for the period ending April 30, 2010.

This report provides an update to the Board on the status of the Capital and Operating projects at the Zoo.

This report will update the Board of Management on visitor statistics for the period ending

March 31, 2010.

The Board:

1.         Received for information the report dated April 23, 2010, from the Chief Executive Officer respecting the Minutes of the meetings of the Animal Care, Research and Acquisition Committee and the Giant Panda Acquisition Task Force.

2.         Authorized the Giant Panda Acquisition Task Force to continue with any direction it needs to take with respect to the Giant Panda Acquisition Project, and advise the Board of Management of those decisions.

3.         Requested the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Giant Panda Acquisition Task Force, to submit a report to the next meeting of the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo to be held on June 3, 2010, providing a 'go forward' strategy and supporting documentation with respect to the Giant Panda Acquisition Project.

4.         Expressed its appreciation to Dr. Ming-Tat Cheung for the leadership role he has taken with respect to the Giant Panda Acquisition Project.

This report will provide an update to the Board on Committee activities.

In 2010, six (6) employees at the Toronto Zoo will reach and be recognized for 25 years of service.

Name                                       Branch                                    Start Date

Cynthia Lee                            Curatorial                              1985-05-06

Richard Tamlin                       Animal Care                           1985-08-06

Shane Alexander                    Safety & Security                   1985-08-12

Jane Muller-Perry                  Animal Care                           1985-09-08

Nick Theodoridis                   Facilities & Services               1985-10-07

Mark Bongelli                        Animal Care                           1985-10-20

David Ireland, Curator of Conservation, gave a verbal update on the Biogas Project, and provided the following timelines for the project:

-          July 15, 2010 - deadline for the Request for Proposals;

-          end of August, 2010 - recommendations from the Selection Committee on a successful proponent;

-          2011 - commence construction; and

-          February 2012 - project completion.

Verbal report from the Curator of Conservation providing an update on the Biogas Project.

The Board:

1.         Approved the recommendations in the Confidential Attachment 1, attached to the report dated May 6, 2010, from the Chief Executive Officer.

2.         Directed that the confidential information be made public after ratification by both parties.

The Curator of Conservation advised the Board of the Cell Phone Recycling Program undertaken by students of Lincoln Avenue Public School, and introduced:

Miles – Winner of the Best Kid in Ontario Award for collecting 175 of the 209 cell phones collected by the School; and

Cherise and Diana – Winners of the essay writing contest on conservation.

Respecting the Cell Phone Recycling Program undertaken by students of Lincoln Avenue Public School.

The following publications were made available to the Board:

-           Welcome to the Toronto Zoo – Non-Permanent Staff Handbook 2010;

-           CONNECT -   Magazine of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, March 2010; and

-           CONNECT -   Magazine of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, April 2010.