Toronto Zoo latest public body to be hit by cybersecurity attack

The Toronto Zoo announced Monday it's been hit by a recent cybersecurity attack and as a result customer response times may be impacted.

In a news release, the zoo said itexperienced a ransomware attack that was first detected lastFriday.

"Zoo staff took immediate steps to start to determine the extent of the incident," reads the release.

"We are investigating the impact, if any, to our guests, members and donor records."

The zoo saidanimal wellbeing, care and supportsystems have not been impacted by the attack, and the zoo will continue to be open to guests. Additionally, it said itswebsite wasn't impacted, ticket purchases can continue online andnotes that it doesn't have any credit card information stored on hand.

But, it said,response times forcustomers trying to contact zoo staff over the next few days may be impacted.

"We will be keeping you updated as we learn more," the zoo said.

The incident is the latest in astring of cybersecurity attacks against provincial and municipal public organizations this past year, including the LCBO, multiple Ontario hospitalsand mostly recently Toronto Public Library, which is still recovering its operations.

The zoo, which is owned by the City of Toronto, said it has reported the incident to Toronto police and isworking with the city'sChief Information Security Office and third-party cyber security experts to resolve the situation

"Unfortunately, these incidents are becoming more and more common and we are grateful we took steps over the past few years to upgrade our technology infrastructure," the zoo said.