Reid Park Zoo » Uncategorized

Dine at Claim Jumper on Thursday, September 9, 2010 and support the Zoo!

tucsonzoo — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:58:05 +0000

The Staff of the Tucson Claim Jumper is hosting a Community Support Night to benefit Reid Park Zoo! On Thursday, September 9th, from 5:00-10:00pm, Claim Jumper will donate 15% of your pre-tax food and beverage purchase to the Reid Park Zoological Society. IMPORTANT: you must present this flyer at the time of your order (please print it out and bring it with you–flyers cannot be distributed at the restaurant). We recommend calling ahead for reservations at 520-795-2900. We hope you can join us!

Otter Training Presentations–a great reason to visit the Zoo!

tucsonzoo — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:38:33 +0000

Keepers are training the African spotted-necked otters to perform several behaviors that help us better manage and care for them. Although in the wild these otters mainly eat fish, crabs, and small invertebrates, in the Zoo they also enjoy small pieces of sweet potato and carrot as training rewards. Otter training sessions occur most days at 11:15–check the event board at the front entrance when you visit the Zoo to see the schedule for that day.

FREE Professional Development Workshop for Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers

tucsonzoo — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:40:37 +0000

Are you a preschool or kindergarten teacher? The Zoo is offering a FREE workshop that focuses on Growing Up Wild activities. The workshop dates are Thursday, November 11, 2010 (5:00 pm-8:00 pm) and Saturday, November 13, 2010 (8:00am-4:00pm).

Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children is an early childhood education activity guide that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills.

Participants in Reid Park Zoo’s FREE workshop will receive:

The Growing Up WILD activity guide, which includes crafts, art projects, music, conservation activities, reading and math connections, and much more

A $50.00 personal stipend

A FREE return field trip to the Zoo for your class

Unique behind-the-scenes opportunities

Snacks on Thursday; breakfast & lunch on Saturday

To receive a registration form for the Zoo’s FREE Growing Up WILD workshop please email zooeducation@tucsonzoo.gov OR visit http://www.tucsonzoo.org/education/just-for-teachers/

A refundable, $25.00 deposit is required at the time of registration

Project Polar Bear Contest for Teens!

tucsonzoo — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:40:06 +0000

Did you know that Reid Park Zoo is a Polar Bears International Arctic Ambassador Center? Through this special partnership, the Reid Park Zoo is hosting its first regional Project Polar Bear Contest!

Project Polar Bear is a way for small groups of young people to make a big difference. This contest challenges teens to create community projects that help reduce carbon emissions. Reid Park Zoo will choose one winning project from our community. The winning team will receive a behind the scenes tour at Reid Park Zoo, including a visit with the polar bears. The teens will also advance to the semi-finals, where their project will be in the running to become a finalist for the Grand Prize – a trip to Churchill to see wild polar bears!

Registration is open from August 1-September 30, 2010. Your team will work on together on your project through the fall, with a final success report due to PBI on December 31, 2010. Learn more and register your team today at: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/programs/project-polar-bear

If you have questions that are not answered on that website, please email zooeducation@tucsonaz.gov.

Come see our green basilisk lizard!

tucsonzoo — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 02:10:30 +0000

The green basilisk lizard has made his debut in the South American cave tank. Stop by to see his fin-shaped crest and watch him “walk” on water. Green basilisks are known for their uniquely adapted toes and their ability to dash over water surfaces to escape predators. How cool it that?

10 New Flamingos Explore Their New Home

tucsonzoo — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:10:08 +0000

The flamboyance of flamingos that arrived at the Zoo last month have passed their health exams with flying colors (well, pink, at least). Last week, Zoo Keepers moved the flamingos, one by one, from the Health Center to their new habitat and carefully released each bird into the water to join the existing flock. See if you can count all 21 flamingos next time you visit!

National Zoo Keeper Week: July 18-24, 2010

tucsonzoo — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:55:03 +0000

It’s National Zoo Keeper Week! Maybe we’re biased, but we think our Keepers are the best. Thanks for all the hard work you do every day to care for our animal residents and to make Reid Park Zoo a destination for conservation, education, and FUN!

National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated each year beginning on the third Sunday in July. During the week, zoos nationwide honor animal care professionals and the work they do in animal care, conservation, and education. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States.

Summer Safari Friday Nights have ended for 2010

tucsonzoo — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:44:09 +0000

Our 2010 Summer Safari Friday Night series has ended, and we’d like to thank everyone involved in making this event a great success! A huge thank you to K-12 Arizona Virtual Academy for sponsoring the series, and also to event partners AZJazz.net, Walgreens, Mildred & Dildred Toys, The Home Depot at El Con, JumpMaxx Jumping Castles, and El Rio Health Centers. But most of all, thanks to all of YOU who came out to enjoy evenings in the Zoo!

Zoo News airs new episode for July, 2010

tucsonzoo — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:37:03 +0000

Check out the latest installment of Zoo News, and get the scoop on poop!

http://www.tucson12.tv/programs/ZooNews/index.php

Treats in high places

tucsonzoo — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:53:03 +0000

Stretching is good for people and elephants! Keepers encourage Connie, the Reid Park Zoo’s Asian elephant, to perform this natural behavior by hanging an irresistable food “puzzle” high in the air.