After two and a half years of construction, Reid Park Zoo’s Pathway to Asia addition will officially open its doors on Friday, November 13. The expansion will showcase 30 new species, including the zoo’s first reptile house, new animal habitats and the rentable Lotus Pavilion, which will also be used for conservation talks.
Pathway to Asia will be the zoo’s largest addition since Expedition Tanzania in 2012.
Nancy Kluge, CEO and president of the Reid Park Zoological Society, said it will feature some of Asia’s threatened or endangered animals such as the small-clawed otters as well as the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo dragon.
“Our mission is to inspire people to protect wild animals and wild places,” Kluge said. “So to us, it's especially important for people to get to know these animals and to understand them and how to protect them in the wild. What I can't wait for is for the public to see some of these amazing animals that they've probably never seen.”
The exhibit will bring endangered tigers to Tucson to a brand new tiger habitat, establishing the zoo as a breeding and conservation facility.
“We looked for animals that really needed their story told and that were available at other zoos,” Kluge said. “The Malayan tigers for instance were our first choice because there's so few left in the wild. It's estimated to be only 150.”
Kluge said the zoo will welcome a conservationist on Sunday, November 15, who will share how these animals are saved in the wild. The talk will be free to attend with regular zoo admission.
While most species have already settled in, guests might have to be patient to see others – Kluge said some, such as the red pandas and gibbons will arrive in the next three to five weeks to the exhibit.
“In the first few weeks, you may not see all of them. We always put animal well-being as our first priority,” Kluge said. “If an animal is still getting used to their home, then we'll probably keep their access to their back of house area open so that they can choose whether they want to be out or if they want to be in during those first few weeks. So there's going to be something new probably each visit that you'll see as you come to visit the zoo.”
To make sure everyone can enjoy their visit to the new exhibit, the zoo requires visitors to purchase their tickets through a time ticketing system until Nov. 30.
