Toronto Zoo's new animal hospital can squeeze an injured polar bear into its X-ray machine

The Toronto Zoo will open a Wildlife Health Centre on Canada Day. The facility has a "bio-bank" that can hold the genetic material of up to 50 species at a time.

A new $19 million state-of-the-art facility will allow visitors to view animal 'patients'

Ieva Lucs CBC News Posted: Jun 26, 2017 5:26 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 26, 2017

A rattlesnake gets an ultrasound at the Toronto Zoo's new Wildlife Health Care centre. The centre is poised to be a leader in the reproductive health of endangered species. (CBC)

Have you ever wondered what a rattlesnake ultrasound looks like?

Well now you can see for yourself at the new $19-million Wildlife Health Centre opening on July 1at the Toronto Zoo.

The new state-of-the-art animal hospital was unveiled to the media Monday, a facility that will allow visitors to watch as veterinarians neuter a tiger or mend the wing of a bird.

Striking workers and Toronto Zoo reach tentative agreement

The Toronto Zoo's chief executive officer John Tracogna said the hospital is an "important investment in the care and well-being of the animals at the zoo."

Mayor John Tory was given a tour of some of the rooms in the facility Monday, as well as a look at a digital ultrasound machine that can fit a patient as big as apolar bear without breaking.

A veterinarian holds a leopard cub in one of the labs at the Toronto Zoo's new Wildlife Health Care centre. Visitors can see animal "patients" being treated in the $19 million state-of-the-art facility. (CBC)

"There's been a challenging time here at the zoo recently," said Tory, referring to the nearly month-long strike involving 400 workers that shuttered the attraction in May.

"But the love of the work, the love of the animals and the respect for the institution has brought everybody back together to carry on with the incredibly important work they do."

Reproductive lab to help with conservation

Dr. Christopher Dutton works with the zoo and said the new space is an investment in the educational programming done there.

Students used to have to cram into small rooms with sloped floors to watch procedures. Now, Dutton said, they will be learning with ease.

The new reproductive lab houses a "bio bank" which contains the genetic material of 50 species. The zoo is already home to a living male calf born from a thawed 35-year-old sperm sample from a bison.

Snow leopard, clouded leopard and cheetah cubs born at Toronto Zoo

The centre, which was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, uses sustainable technology including a green roof and windows with bird-friendly glazing.

Visitors can check out the work of veterinarians and researchers through a viewing gallery at the hospital

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