Finishing touches are underway and new animals have started to arrive for Reid Park Zoo’s Pathway to Asia opening November 13.
Platina, a 15-foot reticulated python slithers in her pool and twines around the trees in her habitat as she gets accustomed to her new home in the area’s Robert Hamilton Tropical Discovery Center. “She’s a big girl – it took five people to move her into her habitat,” says zoo keeper Nick Orlando who is caring for Platina. “She may look a little intimidating at first, but she is truly the sweetest snake,” he adds. Orlando previously worked with Platina at the San Antonio Zoo where she is from.
“I’m excited to get to care for her again here at Reid Park Zoo,” he says.
Elsewhere, the first of a breeding pair of Malayan tigers, Maya, has been settling into her spacious new home with sparkling pools and waterfalls, as well as plenty of grassy areas and lookout points. And, Bahir, a sand cat native to the arid deserts of Asia, is acclimating at the Zoo’s Health Center before being moved to his new habitat across from the tigers.
“This acclimation time is crucial in enabling the animals to get comfortable in their new homes before meeting the public,’ says Adam Ramsey, Director of Animal Care at the Zoo. “It also gives the Zoo’s animal care team time to get to know each of the animals, their personalities, and needs – and to build those important bonds,” Ramsey adds. All of the animals who will reside in Pathway to Asia are coming from other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and part of carefully-managed Species Survival Plans.
When Pathway to Asia opens, guests will be able to connect with some of the most iconic species of Asia and some of the world’s most endangered and beautiful animals from the majestic Malayan tigers (only 150 are believed to remain in the wild today) to the teddy-bear-like red pandas to a Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard. In the exhibit’s Wings of Wonder aviary, guests will see brilliantly plumed birds such as Mandarin ducks and Javan sparrows with exotic pheasants nearby.
Pathway to Asia is inspired by aspects of the ancient Khmer architecture in Angkor, Cambodia with intricate stone facades and pillars crafted to look centuries old on the exterior, while housing modern, state-of-the-art environments for the animals. “As they step inside, guests will feel as if they have traveled back in time and entered another world where the humans have left and the animals have taken over the temple ruins, says Reid Park Zoo President and CEO Nancy Kluge. “In a sense you can travel to Asia without leaving Tucson.”
“Each habitat in Pathway to Asia has been carefully designed to fit the specific needs of the animals, while supporting the animals’ choice and control of their environment,” says Adam Ramsey, Reid Park Zoo’s Director of Animal Care. “For instance, the red pandas have a climate-controlled, indoor-outdoor living space, while the Komodo dragon, who loves it steamy hot, can soak up the sun from tiered rocks and perches outside or relax on heated rocks inside,” he adds.
The spacious Malayan tiger habitat – almost 20,000 square feet alone – allows the Zoo’s animal care team to separate the tigers, which are typically solitary, enabling both tigers to be seen and be comfortable in their own spaces, or to be brought together for breeding. With the new space, the Zoo will be a conservation breeding center for these big cats.
While the habitats offer all the creature comforts for the animals, Pathway to Asia is immersive for guests, providing up-close views through multiple vantage points and interactive learning features, including a Tiger Research Station. Around every bend, guests will share the stories of the amazing animals who reside there, learn what’s being done to protect them in the wild, and, the Zoo hopes, be inspired to help protect them.
Pathway to Asia opens to the public on November 13 at 10 a.m. following a private ribbon-cutting ceremony. The opening celebration continues November 14-15 with Asian cultural performances throughout both days and a talk by tiger conservationists Tara Harris on Sunday, November 15 at 2 p.m.
Pathway to Asia is included in Zoo admission. To give everyone room to see the exhibit comfortably, the Zoo is requiring timed tickets beginning November 13. Guests can purchase specific time slots and are welcome to stay as long as they wish once entering. For more information, visit ReidParkZoo.org
