Reid Park Zoo - History

History

In 1965 Gene Reid, then Parks and Recreation Director started exhibits of pheasants and guinea fowl just north of the present zoo site. Later, prairie dogs were acquired from Lubbock, Texas and exhibited in "Prairie Dog Town" in the former 'overlook' at Randolph Park. Later in the year, farm animals were added as well as squirrel monkeys. This collection became known as "Randolph Park Children's Petting Zoo". Towards the end of the year, the first real "exotic" animal was acquired with the purchase of Sabu, a two year Asian elephant.

1966-1970: Additions of more zoo animals were made during this time including an alligator, a camel, primates, tapir, leopard and bear. These additions changed the zoo from a petting zoo to a contemporary style zoological park. It changed its name to 'Randolph Park Zoo'. The area also expanded slightly in size. In 1967 the City of Tucson officially made the zoo a part of city operations.

1971-1980:

• The elephant exhibit was built.

On July 20, 2006, Reid Park Zoo announced that they would expanding to construct a larger Elephant habitat. The zoo obtained an additional 7 acres (28,000 m2) from its host, Reid Park. The new expansion was completed in March 2012, and Reid Park Zoo sent their two elephants, Connie and Shaba, an Asian and African elephant who had been together for years, to the San Diego Zoo. For the expansion, the San Diego Zoo sent a bull elephant, two cows and two baby bull elephants to Reid Park Zoo for their new habitat. The new exhibit, named Expedition Tanzania, opened to the Reid Park Zoo members March 25, and opened to the public March 28. In mid-September, the zoo began construction on a US$4 million Conservation Learning Center that replaced the old education center. The zoo's new Center was eligible for and received a "platinum" certification from the United States Green Building Council.

Asia

• Malayan Tiger
• Malayan Sun Bear
• Visayan Warty Pig
• Sarus Crane

South America

• Jaguar
• Baird's Tapir
• Capybara
• Llama
• Hyacinth Macaw
• Spix's Macaw
• Blue-headed Macaw
• Red-bellied Macaw
• Red-shouldered Macaw
• Giant Anteater
• Andean bear
• Cuvier's dwarf caiman

South American Aviary

• Blue-and-yellow Tanager
• Blue-crowned Motmot
• Blue-winged Teal
• Blue-and-yellow Macaw
• Boat-billed Heron
• Common Rhea
• Crested Screamer
• Elegant Crested Tinamou
• Green Aracari
• King Vulture
• Military Macaw
• Pacific Parrotlet
• Red-capped Cardinal
• Red-crested Pochard
• Red-rumped Cacique
• Ringed Teal
• Roseate Spoonbill
• Rosy-billed Pochard
• Ruddy Duck
• Scarlet Ibis
• Speckled Teal
• Troupial
• Turquoise Tanager
• Wood Duck
• Yellow-knobbed Curassow

Africa

• Spotted-necked Otter
• African Lion
• Mandrill
• White-handed gibbon
• African Bush Elephant
• Grevy’s Zebra
• Common Ostrich
• Southern White Rhinoceros
• Marabou Stork
• Reticulated Giraffe

Adaption Zone

• Polar bear
• Aldabra giant tortoise
• Lion-tailed macaque
• Chilean Flamingo

Flight Connection Aviary

• Babbler
• Bali Mynah
• Bearded Barbet
• Blue-bellied Roller
• Chinese Bamboo Partridge
• Eclectus Parrot
• Egyptian Goose
• Great Argus
• Green pigeon
• Grosbeak Starling
• Hottentot Teal
• Iris Glossy-starling
• Luzon Bleeding-heart
• Nicobar Pigeon
• Spotted Thick-knee
• Taveta Weaver
• Wattled Starling
• Western Crowned Pigeon
• Western Plantain-eater
• White-rumped Shama