Reid Park Zoo
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.[3] The African Animals zone also houses a 7-acre expansion (Expedition Tanzania) which was opened to the public in 2012. A large aviary named Flight Connection hosts dozens of species of birds from Australia, Africa, and Asia.
Reid Park Zoo’s mission is “to create inspiring memories for all by connecting people and animals to ensure the protection of wild animals and wild places.” The Zoo, founded in 1965 with a collection of birds, prairie dogs, farm animals, and a few squirrel monkeys, has expanded to a 24-acre campus that houses hundreds of animals in naturalistic exhibits and annually hosts more than 500,000 visitors. Reid Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
To be accredited, zoos must undergo a thorough investigation to ensure that they have met, and will continue to meet, ever-rising standards. These standards encompass animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years. The mission of the Reid Park Zoological Society is “to create inspiring memories for all by connecting people and animals to ensure the protection of wild animals and wild places.” Founded in 1975 and officially incorporated in 1976, Reid Park Zoological Society is a membership-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that supports the city-owned Reid Park Zoo.