Reid Park Zoo Informations

The Reid Park Zoo, founded in 1967, is a 24-acre (9.7 ha) city-owned and operated non-profit zoo located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo features more than 500 animals. It was unofficially established in 1965 by Gene Reid, the parks and recreation director at the time.

Reid Park Zoo consists of four zones that are organized by the types of habitats and animals they house. The Adaptation Zone houses animals such as the grizzly bear and Aldabra giant tortoise, the South America zone houses animals such as the jaguar and spectacled bear, the Asian zone features the tiger, and the African Animals zone features animals such as the lion and giraffe. The African Animals zone also houses a 7-acre expansion (Expedition Tanzania) which was opened to the public in 2012. Expedition Tanzania is home to a herd of 6 African elephants, including a female calf born at the zoo on August 20, 2014, the first ever elephant born in the State of Arizona. A large aviary named Flight Connection hosts dozens of species of birds from Australia, Africa, and Asia.

1965: A fledgling zoo was started by Gene Reid, then Parks and Recreation director, with exhibits of pheasants, peafowl, and guinea fowl just north of the present zoo site.

1966: Prairie dogs from Lubbock, Texas, were exhibited in “Prairie Dog Town” in the former “overlook” at Randolph Park. A 1.5 acre “collection of animals” become known as the “Randolph Park Children’s Zoo”. The first purchase of an “exotic” animal was made in the fall: a two-year-old male Asian elephant.

1967-1968: The first budget of $49,000 presented to and approved by Tucson City Council, effectively opening the zoo and making it part of city operations. New animal additions included alligator, bear, camel, leopard, primates, and tapir. The zoo’s name was changed to Randolph Park Zoo. A group called Friends of Gene Reid was informally organized to assist with everyday operations.

1972: Admission fees were instituted. J.L. Swigert became the zoo’s first professional administrator. Michael Flint was hired as the zoo’s first curator. The zoo was admitted to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (then known as American Association of Zoos and Aquariums).

1973: The leopard exhibit was built with money collected at the admission gate.

1974: The now former elephant exhibit was built.

1975: The polar bear exhibit was built. Dr. Ivo Poglayen became the second zoo administrator. A combination entrance/gift shop was constructed on the south border of the zoo.

1976: The rhino exhibit was built, and Macaw Island was constructed. Friends of Gene Reid became Friends of Randolph Zoo Society, Inc.

1977: The African Veldt (zebra/ostrich area) exhibit was built and animals were purchased for it. The first and second classes of docents (volunteers) were organized and trained.

1978: The Asian Grasslands exhibit was constructed and opened. The zoo’s size expanded to 15 acres with the purchase of 2 acres on the east side. The zoo’s name was changed to Reid Park Zoo when the park’s name changed. Friends of Randolph Zoo Society, Inc. was incorporated as the Tucson Zoological Society.

1979: The health center and administration offices were constructed and opened.

1981: An entrance, gift shop, and snack bar were constructed at the north end of the zoo. The zoo’s size increased to 17 acres with acquisition of more land.

1982: The current snack bar was built and became operational. The waterfowl exhibit was constructed and opened in September. The former entrance/gift shop building on the south side of the zoo was remodeled into the zoo school and docent headquarters.

1983: The lion exhibit was constructed and opened in August.

1985: The tiger exhibit constructed and opened in September.

1986: Steve McCusker became the third administrator in October.

1987: The Malayan sun bear exhibit was constructed and opened in March. Kerry Hoffman became the first education curator.

1988: Remodeling of the lion-tailed macaque enclosure was completed and the enclosure was occupied in May. Construction was completed on the new zoo administration building in July. Construction began on the new giraffe exhibit and the remodeling of the polar bear enclosure. The demolition of old cat and bear cages was completed.

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