Blog

  • The Latest Developments from Reid Park Zoo

    The Latest Developments from Reid Park Zoo

    See pictures of Pathway to Asia construction, improvements inside the elephant and lemur habitats, and stay up-to-date on the latest Zoo news.

  • Reid Park Zoo Receives Prestigious Accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

    Reid Park Zoo Receives Prestigious Accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

    We are proud to announce that Reid Park Zoo has once again earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This prestigious recognition is the gold standard in the zoo world.

  • ‘Wild Wonders’ Take the Stage at Reid Park Zoo With Mexican Art Exhibition

    ‘Wild Wonders’ Take the Stage at Reid Park Zoo With Mexican Art Exhibition

    Reid Park Zoo is proud to welcome “Wild Wonders: The Art of Beauty, Culture and Conservation,” a special exhibition featuring nine stunning, larger-than-life animal sculptures created in the Huichol beaded art tradition by artisans from Mexico’s Menchaca Studios. The exhibition, which is sponsored by the Click Family and Jim Click Automotive, blends art, culture and…

  • 60 Wild Years of Progress

    60 Wild Years of Progress

    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…

  • Reid Park Zoo Statement on Delayed Opening

    Reid Park Zoo Statement on Delayed Opening

    Reid Park Zoo reports that just before 9 a.m. today before the Zoo opened, new giraffe Msituni, age 3, was briefly outside her enclosure. The Zoo immediately initiated emergency response protocol and delayed opening for an hour and a half until the issue was resolved. Msituni was calm throughout this time. She stayed in one…

  • The Future of Conservation: The Impact of Reid Park Zoo’s Teen Volunteer Program

    The Future of Conservation: The Impact of Reid Park Zoo’s Teen Volunteer Program

    Since its inception in the early 1990s, Reid Park Zoo’s teen volunteer program has been instrumental in developing young conservationists.   Now known as Zoo Crew, this program offers youth ages 13-18 the chance to educate guests about animals from around the globe while also promoting the Zoo’s conservation messages to inspire guests to take action…

  • Remembering Kaya the African Lion

    Remembering Kaya the African Lion

    Reid Park Zoo is sad to announce the passing of Kaya the African lion, who was humanely euthanized this week at the age of 17. Median life expectancy for lions is 16.9 years.  Kaya was recently diagnosed with a degenerative spinal disease which impacted her ability to move her legs. For a period of time…

  • Reid Park Zoo Welcomes Msituni the Giraffe

    Reid Park Zoo Welcomes Msituni the Giraffe

    Reid Park Zoo is excited to welcome Msituni (pronounced see-TOO-nee), a new adult female reticulated giraffe to its group of giraffes, known as a tower.

  • New Squirrel Monkeys Are Swinging Into Reid Park Zoo

    New Squirrel Monkeys Are Swinging Into Reid Park Zoo

    Two new squirrel monkeys, Mango and Mateo, are monkeying around at Reid Park Zoo! These juvenile brothers were chosen by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Squirrel Monkey Species Survival Plan to teach Toto, another squirrel monkey at the Zoo, how to be a member of a troop. Toto came to the Zoo after being…

  • Happy Holidays and the Latest Developments from Reid Park Zoo

    Happy Holidays and the Latest Developments from Reid Park Zoo

    Happy Holidays from all of us at Reid Park Zoo! We hope you are enjoying this peaceful season with your loved ones. ZooLights continues at the Zoo most evenings through January 5, shining brighter than ever before. We enjoy seeing guests create timeless memories as they stroll through a wonderland of displays, falling snow, live…

  • Sustainability for the Holidays

    Sustainability for the Holidays

    Keeping it green during the holiday season! We’re in the midst of the holiday season, which means food, gifts, and fun memories to be made! It also means a spike in waste production. Studies show that Americans produce 25% more trash during the holiday season than any other time of the year! With the chaos…

  • 2024 Holiday Giving Guide

    2024 Holiday Giving Guide

    Looking for the perfect gift for everyone on your list? Whether you’re searching for a meaningful present for the wildlife enthusiast in your life or a unique stocking stuffer for the kids, Reid Park Zoo has you covered. From symbolically adopting an animal to providing unforgettable experiences, your gift gives back, supporting the Zoo and…

  • 12 Days of Animal Intros

    12 Days of Animal Intros

    There are some new faces around the Zoo! Welcome to the 12 Days of Animal Intros, where we’ll be talking about recent additions to the Zoo. Amazon Milk Frogs These colorful frogs can be found in the Conservation Learning Center and are among the animals in the incredible new rockwork corner habitats. Milk frogs create…

  • Behind-the-Scenes: Making Enrichment

    Behind-the-Scenes: Making Enrichment

    Providing environmental enrichment is an essential part of a zoo keeper’s job. It encourages and provides ample opportunities for an animal to do things like forage, climb, and swim, like they would in the wild!  Some enrichment is purchased from companies that specialize in creating environmental enrichment items, but a lot of the Zoo’s enrichment…

  • Save Taxes and Help Reid Park Zoo

    Save Taxes and Help Reid Park Zoo

    Looking to make a difference for Reid Park Zoo and the animals, and save on your taxes at the same time? Consider a gift from your IRA.  If you are age 70 ½ or older, you may be able to lower income and taxes from your IRA withdrawals.   Benefits of an IRA Charitable Rollover or…

  • Reid Park Zoo Welcomes Tsavo the African Elephant 

    Reid Park Zoo Welcomes Tsavo the African Elephant 

    Tsavo is a 16-year-old male elephant known for his bold personality.

  • Argus Pheasant Chicks Hatch at Reid Park Zoo

    Argus Pheasant Chicks Hatch at Reid Park Zoo

    At hatch, the chicks weighed 50g (that’s as much as half an apple).

  • ZOOcson Silent Auction: Open Until Sunday at 5 p.m.

    ZOOcson Silent Auction: Open Until Sunday at 5 p.m.

    The ZOOcson online auction is live! Check out over 300+ items such as one-of-a-kind themed baskets, fine jewelry, handcrafted homeware, and original artwork from animals around the Zoo. Bidding is open from today until Sunday, October 6 at 5 p.m. Browse the Auction Item and Auction Purchases: The online auction will open at 5pm MST on…

  • Zoo Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Zoo Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    Have you ‘herd’? Reid Park Zoo‘s annual seasonal hour change is upon us.

  • Meru Has Entered the Pool

    Meru Has Entered the Pool

    Post-swim, she and her sisters added a fresh layer of dust to coat their skin which acts like sunscreen.

  • Mourning the Loss of Billy the Lar Gibbon

    Mourning the Loss of Billy the Lar Gibbon

    Reid Park Zoo is sad to announce the loss of Billy the Lar Gibbon. At an estimated 51 years of age, Billy was the sixth oldest gibbon at any AZA Zoo. There are four gibbon species cared for in AZA accredited zoos totaling 265 individuals. All four species are endangered.   Billy arrived at Reid Park…

  • Reid Park Zoo Says Goodbye to Pfeiffer, One of the Oldest of Spotted Necked Otters in an AZA Zoo

    Reid Park Zoo Says Goodbye to Pfeiffer, One of the Oldest of Spotted Necked Otters in an AZA Zoo

    Reid Park Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its most popular residents. Pfeiffer, the Zoo’s spotted necked otter, died this weekend at an estimated 26 years old. Pfeiffer was one of the oldest of her species in any AZA Zoo. The average lifespan of an otter is considered to be 10 to 15…

  • Pfeiffer the Otter Has Retired From Public Life

    Pfeiffer the Otter Has Retired From Public Life

    Pfeiffer has moved to the Zoo’s Health Center, where she will receive extra care in her advanced age Pfeiffer, Reid Park Zoo’s spotted-necked otter, is living behind the scenes at the Zoo’s health center to receive dedicated care from her keepers and veterinary team. In early August, the Zoo’s veterinarian brought Pfeiffer up to the…

  • Reid Park Zoo Closed Monday for Water Line Repair

    Reid Park Zoo Closed Monday for Water Line Repair

    Reid Park Zoo will be closed on Monday, August 26 while repairs are made on a water line on Lakeshore Lane. Reid Park Zoo and surrounding Park facilities will be without water for 4 to 8 hours while the repairs are underway. As a result, the Zoo is closing for the day and will reopen…