Starting Friday, visitors to the Toronto Zoo will have the opportunity to meet two charming nine-month-old Scottish Highland cattle brothers. Known for their long, woolly reddish coats and distinctive fringe that covers their eyes, these new residents are sure to become popular attractions at the zoo.
According to Marc Brandson, the zoo's manager of wildlife care, the brothers were born and raised at a local farm in Ontario before being transferred to the zoo approximately one month ago. After successfully completing a quarantine period, the young cattle are now settled just outside the Eurasia Wilds area of the zoo.
Membership holders will have the exclusive chance to visit the brothers during a pre-screening event on Thursday, ahead of their public debut on Friday. The excitement surrounding the Scottish Highland breed is palpable, as Brandson noted the brothers' appeal is heightened due to the existing popularity of their breed among visitors.
The Toronto Zoo has plans for the brothers to participate in the animal ambassador program, which allows guests to get a closer look at selected animals. Brandson expressed that the zoo's outreach and discovery teams are diligently working towards this goal. "Each and every day, our outreach and discovery staff are working to get them to that level," he stated, highlighting the zoo's commitment to providing a unique experience for its visitors.
Brandson also shared that having a bonded pair of Highland cows creates a positive social environment. The brothers are described as very calm, and they are steadily gaining confidence through their interactions with their caregivers. This is an encouraging sign for their adaptation to zoo life.
As of now, the brothers do not have names, but there is an invitation for the public to get involved by contributing naming ideas in the near future. The zoo hopes that this engagement will foster a sense of community and connection between the animals and the visitors.
Overall, the addition of these Scottish Highland cattle brothers is expected to enhance the visitor experience at the Toronto Zoo, bringing joy and education about this unique breed while promoting animal welfare through structured interaction.
