In 1965, America was racing to put a man on the moon, rock and roll was here to stay — and here in Tucson, Reid Park Zoo (as it would become known) was coming to life.
It all started when Gene C. Reid, then director of Tucson Parks and Recreation, was able to get 18 prairie dogs sent via air freight from Lubbock to Tucson and constructed Prairie Dog Town right where World of Play is at the Zoo today. Soon, peafowl and pheasants were added, a monkey and baby farm animals were donated, and a formal Zoo was begun.
Fast forward to 2025 and that tiny Zoo has grown to 24 acres housing more than 400 animals from around the world. Today, the Zoo welcomes more than 550,000 guests annually for family outings, vibrant events, and opportunities to get outside and connect with nature. Through these visits we aim to inspire the importance of working together to protect wild animals and their wild places for generations to come. We are proud to be an Association of Zoos & Aquariums accredited facility with a reputation for cutting-edge care and impactful conservation programs that make a difference.
As we celebrate 60 wild years, we can’t help but reflect on how we’ve grown, the impact zoos have globally, and what the future holds for Reid Park Zoo. Thanks to the City of Tucson, local businesses, generous donors, and community support, the Zoo has made remarkable leaps of progress over the decades.
The 2012 construction of the Zoo’s elephant habitat was a major milestone for our institution, revolutionizing the Zoo’s elephant program (which is now considered one of the best in any zoo) and providing a spacious, modern habitat for these giants of the savannah. In the 13 years since this habitat opened, Reid Park Zoo has welcomed the birth of elephant calves Nandi, Penzi, and Meru. We are proud to support conservation work happening in Tanzania to support the herd’s wild counterparts and to participate in research to help mitigate and treat the fatal elephant virus known as EEHV.
In 2017, a voter-approved one-tenth of one percent sales tax fueled the Zoo’s growth exponentially, enabling it to embark on an ambitious 10-Year Master Plan. Thanks to the sales tax revenue, the Zoo has been able to make many important improvements, including: upgrading old and broken infrastructure such as water and electrical systems; enhancing animal habitats, including shade sails for the giraffe and zebra herds, as well as expanding the Andean bear habitat and constructing a cubbing den. It has also allowed the Zoo to hire its first full-time veterinarian, construct a new Chilean flamingo habitat, and bring a Linne’s two-toed sloth and the Temple of Tiny Monkeys to Tucson.
In 2026, Phase I of the Master Plan will culminate with a transformative 4.5 acre addition of Pathway to Asia. This new space will bring red pandas, Komodo dragons, and sand cats to Tucson, while establishing the Zoo as a conservation and breeding facility for highly endangered tigers.
At Reid Park Zoo, we strive to make conservation a part of everything we do, to be an educational resource for our community, and to be a place for people to come and unwind. We are committed to accessibility, affordability, and wholesome fun, all while maintaining the highest standard of care for the animals who call the Zoo home.
Looking ahead, an exciting plan is in the works for Phase II of the Zoo’s Master Plan, when the focus will shift to renovating long-standing Zoo habitats. We are excited to enlarge the lion and giraffe habitats, create a pygmy hippo exhibit, and bring our 60-year-old Zoo into the future.
Thank you for supporting 60 wild years at Reid Park Zoo. We couldn’t have done it without you! We can’t wait for what’s ahead — a bright future indeed!