Reid Park Zoo Reid Park Zoo News 2017
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GraysonDP
Well-Known Member
Although we have known for a while about pygmy hippos in future plans, this is the first mention I have heard of a larger tiger habitat. I really, really want to see that happen! However, as the article states, a sales tax increase is always a tough sell to the public.
GraysonDP
Well-Known Member
How good are the lion, tiger, zebra and giraffe exhibits that currently stand? We know the elephant and rhino ones are superb
The tiger exhibit as it stood for about two decades was good, but not outstanding. However a few years ago a fence was erected to cut it in half, which ruined it IMO. The giraffe exhibit is pretty good for an urban zoo (but again not outstanding). Likewise for the zebra exhibit. The lion exhibit is too small (and recently had some ugly platforms added).
A trio of male ring-tailed lemurs is now on display.
Move it, move it to the Zoo and meet the new ring-tailed lemurs!, Reid Park Zoo
Move it, move it to the Zoo and meet the new ring-tailed lemurs!, Reid Park Zoo
The article and announcement about the intent to ask for a sales tax increase was published last Wednesday. The article says they were meeting with the mayor on Friday (two days ago) and that he was going to discourage them from proceeding. Today (Sunday) I got an email from the zoological society asking for volunteers to help collect signatures to get it on the ballot. So apparently it is full steam ahead, in spite of any misgivings the city may have.
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. It certainly worked well for Fresno and there are many parallels. Off the top of my head (without actually looking up stats) I believe both cities are about the same size - roughly one million in greater metro. Both zoos are medium-small but located in a central city park with lots of the big popular animals. Fresno's director is even the former curator from Reid Park. As far as support from the local population, my intuition is that Reid Park actually has a stronger support base than Fresno Chaffee (just a hunch). I am sure they will get enough signatures to get it on the ballot - they could do that just from zoo visitors. Whether it will actually pass is another matter, but we can hope...
It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. It certainly worked well for Fresno and there are many parallels. Off the top of my head (without actually looking up stats) I believe both cities are about the same size - roughly one million in greater metro. Both zoos are medium-small but located in a central city park with lots of the big popular animals. Fresno's director is even the former curator from Reid Park. As far as support from the local population, my intuition is that Reid Park actually has a stronger support base than Fresno Chaffee (just a hunch). I am sure they will get enough signatures to get it on the ballot - they could do that just from zoo visitors. Whether it will actually pass is another matter, but we can hope...
@AD, Thanks, I had a bit the feeling that the City Mayor was rather citing a politically convenient opinion from his own perspective rather than one that metro Tucson folks would like to hear. I am sure it might get onto a ballot soon (since it can easily be rationalised the zoo inhabitants and their accomodations are long overdue a make-over. They may even use the example of Fresno's Chaffee Zoo to demonstrate what a difference a small ballot tax may do for home improvements and visitor numbers and overall appreciation of the zoo as a tourist and educational facility worthy of public support from the local Council / Municipality.
The link below contains a wealth of information about the Fresno Chaffee Zoo "Measure Z" sales tax, including the fact that 73% of voters approved the tax in 2004 and then 71% of voters approved the tax in 2014. The zoo received $102 million in funding during this decade-long period:
Fresno County Fresno Chaffee Zoo Sales Tax, Measure Z (November 2014) - Ballotpedia
Wow, what Tucson could do with a hundred million dollars! With that much money, would we have to move the entire zoo to a larger location? Or perhaps open a satellite facility (which they tried to do with the ranch a few years ago but could not get funding to use the donated land)?
According to zoo FB page, the meerkats are now on exhibit.
GraysonDP
Well-Known Member
GraysonDP
Well-Known Member
A new exhibit for an animal yet to be announced begins construction new month. Reid Park Zoo curator encourages kids to follow dreams
They say that it is big and cold blooded. Komodo dragon? Gharial?
The 2017 summer night openings are set. It will be every Friday from May 19 through August 4, 6-8pm.
I have not heard any recent news on the sales tax initiative, but the zoological society has created a dedicated website for it here: Reid Park Zoo Needs You
The larger half percent sales tax increase the city is pushing for street repair is going on now. Most of us already mailed in our ballots but the deadline is May 16, 2017: PROP 101 - Special Election on May 16, 2017
It will be interesting to see if that passes next week and what, if any, effect it will have on the zoo vote in November.
The larger half percent sales tax increase the city is pushing for street repair is going on now. Most of us already mailed in our ballots but the deadline is May 16, 2017: PROP 101 - Special Election on May 16, 2017
It will be interesting to see if that passes next week and what, if any, effect it will have on the zoo vote in November.
Well the city sales tax vote (NOT the upcoming zoo tax) for road and fire dept improvements passed comfortably. It was not a landslide at roughly 62 percent in favor, but it was a comfortable margin. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-st...7/tucson-residents-vote-in-sales-tax-increase
So the big question is, will voters be this generous in November when it comes to a much smaller sales tax increase for the zoo? (Assuming the zoo gets enough signatures to get it on the ballot, which I am sure they will).
So the big question is, will voters be this generous in November when it comes to a much smaller sales tax increase for the zoo? (Assuming the zoo gets enough signatures to get it on the ballot, which I am sure they will).
:
On June 20, 2017, a poison dart frog exhibit will open inside the Conservation Learning Center.
NEW Poison Dart Frogs!, Reid Park Zoo
NEW Poison Dart Frogs!, Reid Park Zoo
If anyone is interested, here is the official filing of the zoo tax proposal with the city: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/files/clerks/2017-I001.pdf
If you don't want to read the whole thing, here is the excerpt that will be of interest to ZooChat members: "...new species...includes a pygmy hippo habitat, a new, larger tiger habitat, and a tropical discovery center featuring reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and fish..."
If you don't want to read the whole thing, here is the excerpt that will be of interest to ZooChat members: "...new species...includes a pygmy hippo habitat, a new, larger tiger habitat, and a tropical discovery center featuring reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and fish..."