Reid Park Zoo facts for kids

The Reid Park Zoo is a fun place to visit in Tucson, Arizona. It's a large zoo, about 24 acres, and is home to over 500 amazing animals! The zoo is a non-profit organization, which means it uses its money to care for animals and teach people about them. It first started in 1965 thanks to Gene Reid, who was in charge of parks and recreation in Tucson at the time.

Exploring the Animal Zones

Giant anteaters playing at Reid Park Zoo

Reid Park Zoo is divided into four main areas, each designed to look like the natural homes of the animals living there. It's like taking a trip around the world!

• Adaptation Zone: This area shows how animals adapt to different environments. Here you can see animals like the big grizzly bear and the ancient Aldabra giant tortoise.
• South America Zone: Step into the world of South American animals! You might spot a powerful jaguar or a unique spectacled bear.
• Asian Zone: This zone brings you face-to-face with animals from Asia, including the magnificent tiger.
• African Animals Zone: Get ready to see some of Africa's most famous animals, such as the mighty lion and the tall giraffe. This zone also has a special 7-acre area called Expedition Tanzania.

There's also a huge birdhouse called Flight Connection. It's filled with many different kinds of birds from Australia, Africa, and Asia. You can walk through and see them flying all around you!

Expedition Tanzania: Home to Elephants

Expedition Tanzania is a special part of the African Animals Zone. It's home to a herd of six African elephants. This includes Mabu, the dad, and Semba, the mom. Their children, Sundzu, Nandi, and Penzi, also live here. Nandi was a very special baby, as she was the first elephant ever born in Arizona in 2014! There's also Lungile, another female elephant who helps Semba take care of the young ones.

A Look Back: History of Reid Park Zoo

The Reid Park Zoo has grown a lot since it first began!

• Early Days (1965-1968): The zoo started small in 1965 with just a few birds. By 1966, it had a "Prairie Dog Town" and even bought its first "exotic" animal: a two-year-old Asian elephant! In 1967, the city officially recognized the zoo, and it became part of Tucson's operations. More animals like alligators, bears, and camels joined the collection.
• Growing Up (1970s): In 1972, the zoo started charging admission fees. It also joined the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which means it met high standards for animal care. Many new exhibits were built, including homes for leopards, elephants, and rhinos. The zoo also grew in size and changed its name to Reid Park Zoo in 1978.
• New Additions (1980s-1990s): The 1980s and 1990s saw many more improvements. New buildings for animal health and administration were added. Exhibits for lions, tigers, and sun bears were built. The zoo also started its first "Festival of Lights" and "Howl-o-ween" events, which are still popular today!
• Modern Era (2000s-Present): In 2012, the big Expedition Tanzania elephant exhibit opened. The zoo continued to improve habitats for many animals, including grizzly bears and lemurs. In 2014, a baby elephant named Nandi was born, which was a huge event! More recently, in 2018, the zoo's management changed to the Reid Park Zoological Society, a non-profit group. A new Animal Health Center opened, and a new squirrel monkey habitat called Temple of the Tiny Monkeys opened in 2019.

Animal Care: Medical Facilities

Reid Park Zoo has special medical facilities to help its animals stay healthy. They can even treat animals with serious illnesses like cancer! The zoo works with experts from the University of Arizona to provide advanced treatments, including radiation therapy. This means animals from all over the country can come to Reid Park Zoo for special care. For example, a Galapagos tortoise was treated here back in 1983.

Protecting the Elephants

In 2006, some people wanted the zoo's two elephants, Connie and Shaba, to move to a special animal sanctuary. However, many people in Tucson wanted the elephants to stay. The city council listened to the public and decided to raise money to build a brand new, larger home for the elephants right there at Reid Park Zoo. This led to the creation of Expedition Tanzania, which opened in 2012, giving the elephants a wonderful new space.

Images for kids

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  Giant anteaters playing at Reid Park Zoo