Not Your Typical Day at the Park

Located north of 22nd street, Reed Park is much more than a place to ride bikes, grill some burgers, or play Frisbee with the dog.
The site is also home to the Reed Park Zoo and a plethora of the globe's furriest,scaliest, and straight up amazing creatures.

The zoo was "unofficially" started by Parks and Rec. Director Gene Reed in 1965. By 1967, the zoo was put under the control of the City of Tucson.
Today, the city supports and maintains the site with the help of a non-profit corporation, the Tucson Zoological Society.

It takes about two hours to wander the various paths through the park's many exhibits, which includes everything from typical desert animals to Asian Elephants, Africa Lions, and pythons from South America.

My personal favorite was the polar bear. While it might seem strange to keep a polar bear in the desert, he seemed very comfortable, staying cool and floating lazily in an icy chilled pool.

If you're looking for a specific type of animal, the following map shows the different exhibits where each species can be found.

One of the coolest (albeit, riskiest) attractions at the zoo, the atrium allows visitors the chance to wander in an enclosed setting with beautifully colored tropical birds and have them poop on you.
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The one on the right is the one that got me... watch out for him.

Other animals like peacocks and squirrels wander freely about the park, and for the "hands on" types, zoo employees and volunteers host special "touch stations." There, visitors can pet and play with the animals while experts inform you about their diet, their native regions and their behaviors. You can even "adopt" one of your favorite animals, with the "adoption fee" going toward programs in wildlife conservation and management.

Currently, the zoo is planning the expansion of the "African Loop" infrastructure just south of the existing zoo facilities. The new site will provide a more comfortable home for the zoo's two elephants.

For those with a real taste for adventure, traveling events and opportunities are occasionally co-ordinated at the zoo as well. In the past, these events have included things like a two week trip to India with Zoo Administrator Susan Basford to explore its parks and native reserves.

The zoo is open from 9 to 4 except on major holidays and costs $6 for adults and $2 for children. The animals are most likely to be active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so visitors are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly.