Team Tapir Arizizona trip

They're open to the public, but it's not someplace you can just go and wonder around. Since both places are working rescue/rehab places, they're only open during scheduled tours. Unlike regular zoos, their main focus is on the animals and potential release back into the wild (SW wildlife Rehab anyway, not Phx Herp). But they're definitely worth a visit.
 
Saihati Camel Farm closed several years ago (and no I never went). In addition to camels they had arabian wildcats (or was it sand cats or both?).

Navajo Nation Zoo in Window Rock was supposedly closing back in 1999, but then a year or two ago someone on ZooChat posted a link showing they are still open?

Douglas Wildlife Zoo and Payson Zoo have both shut down which was long overdue - I went to both once and they were the worst I have seen.

Oasis Sanctuary is a home for unwanted parrots and cockatoos and their kin in southeast Arizona (Cascabel to be exact). I believe you can request a guided tour.

Yes, there is an insect place in Tucson - you drive right by it on the way to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. However, the gate is always closed - it is a research facility - so I am not sure if they ever have public tours. The name of the place, if you want to look it up, is Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute.

I have heard of the aforementioned rattlesnake display in Apache Junction but I know nothing about it.

I went to Keepers Of The Wild last year (and also several years ago at their original Las Vegas compound). Not really worth the drive or the price IMO.

There was also a rumor a couple years ago on ZooChat (with a web link) that yet another aquarium was going to open (not SeaLife, something else) that I think was maybe connected to a Native casino? Not sure if anything is happening.

And Reid Park Zoo's donated ranch in Sahuarita seems to be going nowhere. They had bolson tortoises for a while, but now nothing again. I would not be surprised if we end up just selling it.

OK, I think that is the Arizona animal place update for now.
 
The Camel Farm seems to still be open: The Camel Farm - ?? - ?? | Facebook
Probably me with the link to the Navajo Nation Zoo... still open I think. Had hoped to get there again last time I drove to ABQ, but ran out of time.
I'd read about the Oasis Sanctuary, but wasn't sure about its "public" status.
I got to the zoo in Payson years ago, but as you say, it wasn't much. Pretty much an individual trying to get a place running, I think maybe with mostly some rescue animals (lions, etc.)
The zoo in Prescott is still chugging along - it's more "legitimate", if you will.
There was supposed to be an aquarium built down in your neck of the woods, Sonoran Sea Aquarium, but looks like nothing ever came of it.
 
The reptile exhibit in Apache Junction is part of the Goldfield Ghost Town off the Apache Trail. I have not been, but have heard it's decent. Goldfield Ghost Town - Attractions

Opening this year on the Salt River Reservation near Scottsdale is Butterfly Wonderland, a large indoor butterfly rainforest pavilion. Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Arizona | Home

This is phase 1 of a larger project called "Odysea in the Desert" which will eventually include an aquarium attraction. OdySea In The Desert - Scottsdale, Arizona - Aquarium and Attractions

Also, it appears that the Navajo Zoo in Window Rock is most certainly open. http://www.navajozoo.org/index.htm
 
The camel farm still being there is a surprise. Thanks for the link. And thanks to ex-Arizonan Ituri who seems to know more about our state than any of us.

And yes I have been to the Heritage Park Zoo in Prescott as well.

The proposed aquarium in Tucson was part of the original Rio Nuevo plan, which is a downtown redevelopment plan voters approved back around 1999 or so. A feasibility study determined (correctly I think) that it would be too expensive to maintain. (The entire Rio Nuevo project has been a giant fiasco, with millions disappearing everywhere and virtually nothing accomplished, but I am getting off topic...)
 
Arizona Docent said:
Saihati Camel Farm closed several years ago (and no I never went). In addition to camels they had arabian wildcats (or was it sand cats or both?).

Navajo Nation Zoo in Window Rock was supposedly closing back in 1999, but then a year or two ago someone on ZooChat posted a link showing they are still open?

Douglas Wildlife Zoo and Payson Zoo have both shut down which was long overdue - I went to both once and they were the worst I have seen.

Oasis Sanctuary is a home for unwanted parrots and cockatoos and their kin in southeast Arizona (Cascabel to be exact). I believe you can request a guided tour.

Yes, there is an insect place in Tucson - you drive right by it on the way to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. However, the gate is always closed - it is a research facility - so I am not sure if they ever have public tours. The name of the place, if you want to look it up, is Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute.

I have heard of the aforementioned rattlesnake display in Apache Junction but I know nothing about it.

I went to Keepers Of The Wild last year (and also several years ago at their original Las Vegas compound). Not really worth the drive or the price IMO.

There was also a rumor a couple years ago on ZooChat (with a web link) that yet another aquarium was going to open (not SeaLife, something else) that I think was maybe connected to a Native casino? Not sure if anything is happening.

And Reid Park Zoo's donated ranch in Sahuarita seems to be going nowhere. They had bolson tortoises for a while, but now nothing again. I would not be surprised if we end up just selling it.

OK, I think that is the Arizona animal place update for now.
Click to expand...

It looks like the Navajo Zoo is still around. Navajo Zoo Home Page The Saihati Camel Farm has a Facebook page.
 
Talli said:
The Camel Farm seems to still be open: The Camel Farm - ?? - ?? | Facebook
Probably me with the link to the Navajo Nation Zoo... still open I think. Had hoped to get there again last time I drove to ABQ, but ran out of time.
I'd read about the Oasis Sanctuary, but wasn't sure about its "public" status.
I got to the zoo in Payson years ago, but as you say, it wasn't much. Pretty much an individual trying to get a place running, I think maybe with mostly some rescue animals (lions, etc.)
The zoo in Prescott is still chugging along - it's more "legitimate", if you will.
There was supposed to be an aquarium built down in your neck of the woods, Sonoran Sea Aquarium, but looks like nothing ever came of it.
Click to expand...

If you're referring to Heritage Park in Prescott, it's a sanctuary more than a zoo. They don't breed or sell their animals. And chugging along is probably a fairly accurate description, but again since they're a sanctuary they don't get quite the same income as a regular zoo.

I've been to Payson Zoo, as well, when I was maybe 8-10 years old. Don't really remember as it was 30 some years ago. Hahaha. Anyway, the only thing I liked about it was that many of the animals were named after characters from the local hit children's show Wallace and Ladmo. The place itself, though, was horrible and I'm glad it's not open any longer.
 
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