This may well be the last new exhibit at ASDM for quite some time, as the recent bond vote in Tucson was an overwhelming NO in regards to supplying the zoo with much-needed funding for the long-gestating jaguar exhibit. Reid Park Zoo's African Pavilion complex (including pygmy hippos and other animals) as well as the ASDM jaguar habitat are all now sadly in limbo.
I believe there is a packrat exhibit slated for next year that is already funded (or mostly funded). It will not just be one small terrarium but will have large scale educational components like this exhibit.
As for the jaguar exhibit here and the pygmy hippo exhibit at nearby Reid Park and the funding options, I will give my opinion as a Tucson resident and member of both zoos. I have NO inside information, this is strictly an opinion and should be treated as such.
I was one of those who voted against the bond issues, which covered a wide range of projects (street improvement, etc, etc) the two zoos being just one tiny component. All of the improvements are worthwhile and I am sure no one in Pima County (the county which issued the bonds and which includes Tucson) is against making these improvements. The issue we the voters have is the way it is funded. It is basically making a loan with interest due down the line, to be paid most likely by increased property taxes. It is just a bad way to fund things, very much like making your own personal expenses via credit card and then paying it back later with interest to the creditor.
Reid Park Zoo is part of city parks and relies heavily on city money for its operations. As such I think they will have a harder time trying to make it up with private funds. Arizona Sonora Desert Museum has always been privately run and funded and I only know of one time where they received county bond money - to build the theater and class area. They have a much more established record of private donors and I am certain they will be able to make it up and go forward with the project (even if it is slightly delayed).
