Reid Park Zoo Reid Park Zoo News 2009-2012

Arizona Docent said:
Another article on the polar bear, from today's newspaper.

Polar bear itch gone, thanks to sunshine
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Reid Park Zoo has now had tremendous success with two polar bears with skin conditions, and it is cool to read about the improvements with the ailments. However, the downside is that the exhibit at the zoo is subpar and curiously right at the edge of the African zone!
 
According to the zoo website, a price increase goes into effect today (July 1, 2012). We knew it would come once Expedition Tanzania opened, but I am surprised it happened this quickly. Just last week I asked about it and they said it would come in the Fall but nothing was decided yet.

Admission until yesterday was $7 adult (year round).

New prices are $8 adult June-November (off season)
$9 adult December-May (peak season)

Due to our hot desert locale, summer is actually the slow season and winter the busy season, which is opposite most other zoos. Our neighboring zoo, the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, has had a seasonal price structure like this for several years. However, I am surprised November is included in off season, I would consider it peak. But maybe they looked at attendance figures and November actually is slower.
 
New elephant cams have been installed and are being tested. Very soon the website will have a live feed posted for all to enjoy.

A chilean flamingo chick hatched just over a week ago. Four other eggs have been laid and are expected to hatch over the next couple weeks.

The zoo's Flickr page has photos of a brand new tamandua baby - we are now up to five tamanduas. All are off exhibit, though, and are brought out by staff for educational demonstrations.
[ame="http://www.flickr.com/photos/reidparkzoo/7896995972/in/set-72157631161065366"]Tamandua Baby | Flickr - Photo Sharing![/ame]

Another new birth will likely be announced in the coming week. We were told not to say anything yet, but when I was at the zoo today (a busy Saturday), everyone could see mother and baby through a chain link fence at the back of the regular exhibit, so I am not sure it is a secret. Plus it was born on exhibit yesterday and a visitor videotaped it, but we were still told not to say anything unless someone specifically asks us. (So if you specifically ask me in a PM, I might be able to answer).
 
Arizona Docent said:
Another new birth will likely be announced in the coming week. We were told not to say anything yet, but when I was at the zoo today (a busy Saturday), everyone could see mother and baby through a chain link fence at the back of the regular exhibit, so I am not sure it is a secret. Plus it was born on exhibit yesterday and a visitor videotaped it, but we were still told not to say anything unless someone specifically asks us. (So if you specifically ask me in a PM, I might be able to answer).
Click to expand...

I'm not going to reveal anything, but since I don't do PM, can I just ask if it's an African animal? I found something online...
 
The zoo announced the birth of a Grevy's Zebra on their facebook page. I assume that's what you're talking about?
 
Ah yes, so now it is official. The mother apparently came to us already pregnant from San Diego (unkown to us).
 
The local newspaper has just posted a reprint of a 1967 article on the (then still new) zoo. Unlike many major city zoos, our zoo was not really planned.

Tucson Tails: Zoo At Randolph Park Just Sort Of Happened

BTW Randolph Park was later split into two halves, with the golf course and tennis court side (east half) keeping the name Randolph Park and the zoo and picnic area side (west half) given the name Reid Park. This is in honor of the parks director mentioned in the article - Gene Reid.

Yesterday a docent at the zoo told me he ran across another article stating someone on city council had later proposed to move the zoo to a 90 acre parcel on the outskirts of town (currently a park with a large lake for fishing). It got voted down - too bad - it would be great for our small zoo to have that kind of room.
 
I found this article from earlier in the week about the cause of death of the polar bear. Interestingly it states zoo officials claim we will not be seeking another polar bear. This is what I have wanted for a long time (to replace it with a more appropriate african species or two) and though I was previously told my idea of putting african animals there would never happen and we would stick with polar bears, I see the times are changing. We have already put a marabou stork on the grassy side of the exhibit (a bird that was off exhibit) and not sure what will happen to the pool side. The article also says the new master plan may not be unveiled until January, which is too bad because I was under the impression it would be unveiled next month (October). I have been told about one major exhibit that is fairly certain and is pretty exciting (even though it is NOT a cat). I cannot say what it is until the plan is officially unveiled.

Star Mobile
 
@AD, I really do hope your wish becomes reality.
The marabou stork deserve a free flight aviary of their own.
Plus another African ... (whatever).
 
Oh i cant wait AD!!!! this is the kinda stuff i love. I like when zoos have a big annoucement and you have to wait guessing what it is :)
 
I would guess that the pool side of the polar bear exhibit could obtain Pygmy Hippos or African Clawless otters.
 
Recent births:

chilean flamingo, August 22
southern tamandua, August 30
grevy zebra, August 31
giant anteater, September 27
 
A young male giraffe that recently arrived at the zoo is done with quarantine and has just gone on exhibit.
New Giraffe on Exhibit 11-8-12 - Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, AZ

A new live elephant cam is on the website in the mornings (being manned by docents such as Yours Truly). We can switch between three cameras and use cursors to move any of the three to follow elephants. (However the camera switch from one to another is on a two minute cycle, so if you see a wall and wonder why, we are probably waiting for the next camera to kick in). At night (such as now when I type this) I see the camera is left on a stationary view, so if you are lucky and the elephants walk into the frame and into a spotlit area, you might still see them.
Elephant Cam - Reid Park Zoo, Tucson, AZ

Some tidbits from the now semi-public master plan. The two major projects that are the most definite are a new health center (possibly with a section on public view) and a hippo exhibit with underwater viewing (which will go in the old elephant area). One item that may or may not happen is an expansion of South America by rerouting a road that runs through the park. We still need to fundraise, so everything is at least a few years out.
 
One of the male Lion cubs born in July 2011, Abuto, will be moving to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo soon. His brother, Ayotunde, will move to Caldwell Zoo soon.
On November 26, the male Mandrill, DJ, died.
 
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