Toronto Zoo to close early Thursday due to poor air quality from wildfires

The Toronto Zoo will close early on Thursday in an effort to protect people and animals from the effects of the city’s poor air quality, the result of ongoing wildfires in Ontario and Quebec.

In a press release Wednesday, the zoo said it will reduce its operating hours from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The zoo is typically open until 7 p.m. daily, according to its website.

“We are taking proactive steps to protect our animals, staff and volunteers,” the zoo said in the release.

It’s also asking the public to rethink their visit if they plan to come to the zoo on Thursday.

“We encourage anyone who prepurchased tickets … to reschedule their visit. If you are unable to reschedule we encourage all guests to wear masks while outside for any extended periods of time,” the zoo said.

The zoo is limiting outdoor access for some animals as well as outdoor working time for staff and volunteers.

Staff working outside will wear protective masks, the zoo said.

Toronto is currently blanketed under a haze of smoke drifting southward from the wildfires.

The city’s air quality was among the worst in the world this week and it is one of many cities feeling the effects of wildfires that are currently raging across Canada.

Environment Canada issued a special air quality statement for Toronto earlier this week, citing high levels of pollution due to smoke from the fires.

Air quality reached “high risk” levels on Wednesday and is expected to continue into Friday according to an Environment Canada forecast.

The weather service warned that people with asthma, older adults, children and people who work outdoors are more likely to experience health effects from the smoke.