Reid Park Zoo
A city-owned, nonprofit zoological park in Tucson, Arizona, known for conservation, animal care, education, and habitat-based exhibits.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Reid Park Zoo is a nonprofit zoological park located within Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona. The institution is owned by the City of Tucson and occupies approximately 24 acres, presenting more than 500 animals in exhibits organized around geographic regions and ecological adaptations. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and serves as a major family attraction, education venue, and conservation institution for Southern Arizona, receiving roughly half a million visitors in a typical year. The zoo traces its origins to 1965, when Tucson parks and recreation director Gene Reid organized a small collection of pheasants, peafowl, and guinea fowl near the present site. During the late 1960s, the collection expanded into a children's zoo with prairie dogs and other animals. Tucson's city government approved an initial operating budget of $49,000 in 1967 and 1968, bringing the zoo formally into municipal operations. It was initially known as Randolph Park Zoo, reflecting the park's name, before adopting the Reid Park Zoo name in 1978. Its development has been marked by successive exhibit, education, and veterinary investments. Early additions included an Asian elephant, an alligator, bears, camels, leopards, primates, and a tapir. During the 1970s the zoo added rhinos, macaws, African hoofstock, Asian grassland animals, docent programs, a health center, and administrative facilities. The institution joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, then known as the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, in the same decade. By the 1990s and 2000s, Reid Park Zoo had developed a broader conservation and visitor-experience program. The former Asian Grasslands area was converted into an African Savanna in 1992, the Flight Connection aviary opened in 1999, and later projects included a polar bear expansion, the Kenya Get Wet splash pad, the Lee H. Brown Family Conservation Learning Center, and improvements to food-service and visitor facilities. Recurring public programs and fundraisers include Festival of Lights, ZOOcson, and Howl-o-ween. The zoo's principal habitat areas are the Adaptation Zone, South America, African Animals, and Expedition Tanzania. The latter is a seven-acre expansion that opened in 2012 and includes a major African elephant habitat. In 2014, an African elephant calf became the first elephant born in Arizona. The zoo's elephant program later included an all-female resident herd and, in October 2024, the arrival of Tsavo, a bull elephant from Disney's Animal Kingdom for breeding purposes. Animal health is an important part of the institution's identity. Through a partnership with the University of Arizona Cancer Center, the zoo has supported radiation and heat-based cancer treatment for animals, including animals transported from outside the region. The zoo also combines public education, volunteer docent programs, conservation messaging, and zoological research with its exhibition role. Management shifted in 2018 from direct City of Tucson administration to operation by the Reid Park Zoological Society, while the city retained ownership. The zoo remains an active regional attraction and nonprofit institution whose public positioning centers on accessible wildlife experiences, animal welfare, conservation learning, and community participation.
History
Reid Park Zoo began as a small municipal wildlife collection in Tucson. In 1965, parks and recreation director Gene Reid established exhibits of pheasants, peafowl, and guinea fowl near the current zoo grounds. The collection expanded with prairie dogs and other animals and became known as Randolph Park Children's Zoo. Tucson approved its first formal operating budget in 1967 and 1968, effectively establishing the zoo as a city operation. The first exotic animal purchased was a young male Asian elephant, followed by a broader collection that included bears, camels, leopards, primates, tapirs, and an alligator. Admission fees were introduced in 1972, alongside the appointment of the first professional administrator, J. L. Swigert. The zoo joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums during the decade. Under administrator Ivo Poglayen, the institution acquired two rhinos from the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park in 1975. Macaw Island, African hoofstock exhibits, Asian Grasslands, a health center, and administration facilities followed. The organization supporting the zoo evolved from Friends of Gene Reid to Friends of Randolph Zoo Society and ultimately the Tucson Zoological Society. In 1978, the park and zoo adopted the Reid Park name. During the 1980s, the zoo added visitor facilities, a waterfowl exhibit, education infrastructure, expanded land, and new administrative space. Professional leadership and education roles developed, including the appointment of Kerry Hoffman as the first education curator. The 1990s brought a dedicated executive director for the Tucson Zoological Society, conversion of the Asian Grasslands into an African Savanna, new African species, education-building renovations, fundraising events, and the first Festival of Lights. The Flight Connection aviary opened in December 1999. The 2000s focused on visitor amenities, conservation learning, and habitat improvements. The polar bear exhibit was expanded in 2003, the Kenya Get Wet splash pad opened in 2007, and the Lee H. Brown Family Conservation Learning Center was completed in 2008. Food-service, gift-shop, and entrance facilities were also modernized. In 2010, the zoo began the major Expedition Tanzania project, which opened in 2012 as a seven-acre African expansion centered on elephants. The 2010s included new public attractions, conservation programming, an elephant birth, and institutional restructuring. The Wildlife Carousel opened in 2015, the zoo hosted a Bear Taxon Advisory Group conference, and a Baird's tapir was born. In 2018, operational management moved from the City of Tucson to the Reid Park Zoological Society, and a new Animal Health Center opened. The city remained the owner. In the 2020s, the zoo continued expanding its collection and breeding program. Blue duikers were added in 2023, and Tsavo, an African bull elephant from Disney's Animal Kingdom, arrived in October 2024 for breeding with the resident African elephant herd. The zoo's veterinary work is notable for its partnership with the University of Arizona Cancer Center, which enables radiation and heat treatments for animal cancers. Its history also reflects ongoing public debate about elephant welfare: in 2006, local activists sought sanctuary placement for two elephants, while city officials and supporters pursued a new enclosure instead.
- 2024
Tsavo joins the elephant program
[1]African bull elephant Tsavo arrived from Disney's Animal Kingdom for breeding purposes.
- 2018
Operational management transferred
[1]The Reid Park Zoological Society assumed management from the City of Tucson.
- 2014
First Arizona elephant birth
[1]An African elephant calf was born, described as the first elephant born in Arizona.
- 2012
Expedition Tanzania opens
[1]A seven-acre African expansion and elephant habitat opened to visitors.
- 1999
Flight Connection opens
[1]The large Flight Connection aviary opened with bird species from Australia, Africa, and Asia.
- 1992
African Savanna created
[1]The former Asian Grasslands area was converted into an African Savanna exhibit.
- 1978
Name changed to Reid Park Zoo
[1]The zoo adopted the Reid Park name when the surrounding park changed its name.
- 1975
Rhinos added
[1]Two rhinos were brought from the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park and a dedicated enclosure was built.
- 1972
Admission fees introduced
[1]The zoo began charging admission and appointed its first professional administrator.
- 1967
Zoo enters city operations
[1]Tucson approved an initial zoo budget, formalizing municipal operation and expansion of the animal collection.
Products and positioning
A community-oriented, accredited nonprofit zoo that combines accessible family recreation with conservation education, geographically themed habitats, animal welfare, and specialized veterinary care.
Habitat exhibit · 2012
Expedition Tanzania
A seven-acre African-themed expansion opened in 2012. Its principal role is to provide a large visitor-facing habitat for African elephants and related interpretation, forming the centerpiece of the zoo's African Animals area.
Aviary · 1999
Flight Connection
A large aviary opened in 1999 that presents dozens of bird species associated with Australia, Africa, and Asia. It extends the zoo's geographic approach beyond mammals and supports visitor education about avian diversity.
Habitat zone
African Animals
A major zone featuring African species such as lions and giraffes. It includes Expedition Tanzania and represents one of the zoo's most prominent geographic collections.
Habitat zone
Adaptation Zone
An exhibit area organized around how animals adapt to different environments. Its collection includes species such as grizzly bears and Aldabra giant tortoises.
Habitat zone
South America
A geographic zone presenting South American wildlife, including jaguars and spectacled bears, with interpretation focused on regional habitats and species.
Education facility · 2008
Conservation Learning Center
The Lee H. Brown Family Conservation Learning Center, completed in 2008, supports educational programming and public learning about wildlife, conservation, and environmental stewardship.
Marketing campaigns
- 2006Save Tucson Elephants
Tucson
A local activist campaign called for the zoo's two elephants, Connie and Shaba, to be moved to a sanctuary in Tennessee.
Outcome. The city council decided to pursue fundraising for a new elephant enclosure rather than relocate the animals.
- 1996Howl-o-ween
Tucson
The zoo began a Halloween-themed public event as part of its family programming.
- 1993ZOOcson
Tucson
The zoo introduced ZOOcson as a fundraising event supporting the institution.
- 1992Festival of Lights
Tucson
The zoo launched a seasonal lights event as part of its public programming and visitor-attraction calendar.
Brand decisions
2024
Bring Tsavo to TucsonOtherBackground
The resident African elephant group was an all-female herd, creating a need for access to a breeding bull.
Action taken
Tsavo arrived from Disney's Animal Kingdom in October 2024 for breeding with the resident elephants.
2018
Change operating managementStrategyBackground
The zoo had historically been managed directly by the City of Tucson.
Action taken
Operational management was transferred to the Reid Park Zoological Society while municipal ownership remained with Tucson.
Aftermath
The zoo continued operating as a nonprofit institution under the new management arrangement.
2010
Develop Expedition TanzaniaStrategyBackground
The zoo sought to create a larger and more contemporary African elephant habitat and expand its African Animals area.
Action taken
Construction began on Expedition Tanzania, a seven-acre expansion that opened in 2012.
Aftermath
The expansion became a central exhibit and supported the zoo's elephant program.
1992
Convert Asian Grasslands into African SavannaStrategyBackground
The zoo reworked an existing habitat area to broaden its African collection and visitor interpretation.
Action taken
The Asian Grasslands exhibit was converted into a new African Savanna and additional African species were introduced.
Aftermath
The change became part of the zoo's geographic and habitat-based exhibit structure.
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