The Toronto Zoo has welcomed a new ambassador: Takoda, a young bald eagle rescued from an Ontario gold mine last year.
In September 2025, the bird of prey was discovered at the Côté Gold Mine near Gogama, Ont., which is an approximate two-hour drive north of Sudbury, according to a post from the Toronto Zoo on Facebook.
Workers at the site reportedly “quickly became invested in the eagle’s well-being,” keeping an eye on the the eagle, including tracking its movements and contacting local environmental officials. At that time, it was determined that the bird was just over a year old.
The bald eagle remained in the area for more than a day, which is when the Côté Gold Environment Department became concerned about his well-being, zoo officals said.
It was then transferred to the care of the Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre, which determined that the bird did not have the natural fear of humans that “eagles should possess,” according to officials.
The Mattagami First Nation and Flying Post First Nation named it Takoda, which means “friend to everyone” in Western Sioux.
“While Takoda has found a great new home here at your Toronto Zoo, he is a powerful reminder to not feed wildlife, even if you have the best of intentions,” zoo officials said.
Takoda is the newest ambassador of the zoo’s Outreach and Discovery team.
Zoo officials said he is “slowly taking in all of the sights” and is very comfortable with new things. He also picks up quickly on training exercises.
Takoda is also reportedly a lover of baths and picking “large clean bones” as part of his diet.
He is currently with his Wildlife Care team behind the scenes as officials work to prepare him to become an ambassador animal.
The zoo said Takoda does not yet have the iconic white head and white tail plumage of a mature bald eagle. It takes between four and six years for bald eagles to obtain those features and fully mature, zoo officials said.
