[4] Reid Park Zoo consists of four zones that are organized by the types of habitats and animals they house.
A large aviary named Flight Connection hosts dozens of species of birds from Australia, Africa, and Asia.
A group called Friends of Gene Reid was informally organized to assist with everyday operations.
The African Veldt (zebra and ostrich area) exhibit was built and animals were purchased for it in 1977, and the first and second classes of docents (volunteers) were organized and trained.
The next year, the current snack bar was built and became operational and the waterfowl exhibit was constructed and opened in September.
In 1990, the first executive director for the Tucson Zoological Society was hired in August, and in 1991, Susan Basford became the second education curator in January.
In 2003, the polar bear exhibit was expanded to include a natural substrate yard and a new front gate was completed.
Jim Schnormeier became the third general curator in 2009, and the Zoofari Café was remodeled and included indoor seating for the first time.
The Gift Shop was remodeled in 2010, and groundbreaking for the Expedition Tanzania expansion, the new elephant exhibit, took place.
In 2015, the zoo hosted Bear TAG conference, the Wildlife Carousel opened, and a Baird's tapir was born.
Zoo management changed from City of Tucson to Reid Park Zoological Society in 2018, and the new Animal Health Center opened.
[8] South America South American Aviary Africa Adaption Zone Flight Connection Aviary Conservation Learning Center Reid Park Zoo has the unique ability to treat animals with cancer using radiation therapy and heat therapy.