From Côté Gold to the Toronto Zoo

Employees at Côté Gold received an unexpected visitor in September 2025 when a juvenile bald eagle began spending time in an active area of the mine. Team members monitored the bird’s movements and kept the Environment department informed out of concern for its safety. 

When the eagle remained on site for more than 24 hours, the Environment team contacted the Turtle Pond Wildlife Centre in Sudbury for assistance. After assessing the eagle, wildlife experts determined it had become habituated to people and could not be safely released back into the wild.  

The bird was later named Takoda, meaning “friend to everyone,” by members of Mattagami First Nation and Flying Post First Nation. 

New Home and Role 
Earlier this year, Takoda was welcomed to the Toronto Zoo, where it joined the Outreach & Discovery Team as an ambassador animal, helping educate visitors about bald eagles, wildlife conservation and the importance of respecting wildlife from a distance. 

Takoda’s journey reflects the collaboration between employees, environmental professionals, wildlife experts and community partners to ensure the bird received the care and support it needed. It is also a reminder that the land surrounding our operations is a shared ecosystem, home to many species, and underscores the importance of environmental stewardship and responsible mining. 

Thank you to our Côté Gold employees and Environment team who played a role in Takoda's journey!