Otter at Reid Park Zoo dies, its cause of death unknown

Pacino, an African spot-necked otter, had been at the Tucson zoo for about 12 years. The life span of such otters is unclear.

Otter Pacino

Pacino in his Reid Park habitat.

Reid Park elephants in snow

Video: Reid Park elephants romp in Tucson snow

While you are thawing from running out and taking pictures of the Tucson snow, take a look at these Reid Park elephants swimming in the snow. Video is from Reid Park Zoo's facebook page.

Mandrill born at zoo in '91 has died Mandrill born at zoo in '91 dies

CJ was one of two mandrills - a species native to West Africa - at the Reid Park Zoo.

CJ, Reid Park Zoo’s mandrill, dies

A male mandrill named CJ that was born at the Reid Park Zoo in 1991 has died.

Polar bear itch gone, thanks to sunshine

HOW SHE LOOKED THEN: Snow's fur was patchy when she got to Tucson in February. She would "get her booty up there and do this little salsa dance" against a big brush to fight the itch, says keeper Alisha Brewer.

African lion family of 5 debuts at zoo

The Reid Park Zoo's adult male lion, Shombay, shows his 4-month-old cubs who's the boss. The zoo has started slowly introducing Shombay, the father of the cubs, to his offspring.

Shombay meets the kids

The Reid Park Zoo's adult male lion "Shombay" show his 4-month-old cubs who's the boss on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The zoo began slowing introducing Shombay, the father of the cubs, to his offspring.

Shombay meets the kids

The Reid Park Zoo's adult male lion "Shombay" gets a friendly bite from his 4-month-old cubs on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The zoo began slowing introducing Shombay, the father of the cubs, to his offspring.

Shombay meets the kids

The Reid Park Zoo's adult male lion "Shombay" looks quizzically at one of his his 4-month-old cubs on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The zoo began slowing introducing Shombay, the father of the cubs, to his offspring.

Shombay meets the kids

The Reid Park Zoo's adult male lion "Shombay" gets chased by his 4-month-old cubs on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The zoo began slowing introducing Shombay, the father of the cubs, to his offspring.

Lion cubs

Tucson lion cubs met their father Tuesday.

Lion cubs

Tucson's newest lion cubs met their father, Shombay, Tuesday.

Holiday glow, day by day

Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo celebrate the season with a glowing nod to the creatures that live there.

Reid Park Zoo welcomes little bundle of tamandua

Oh, such a sweet little snout. A worker shows off the new baby tamandua, aka lesser anteater, born at the Reid Park Zoo on Aug. 10. The tamandua joins three others at the Tucson zoo.

Tamandua

The rare Tamandua, or lesser ant eater, was born Aug. 10, Reid Park zoo officials said. The Tamandua is gaining weight and appears to be healthy. Its sex has yet to be determined.

Lion cubs born at Reid zoo

Two of three lion cubs shortly after their birth on July 28 at the Reid Park Zoo. African lion Kaya gave birth to the cubs. It will be at least eight weeks before the youngsters go on exhibit.

Lion cubs

Three African lion cubs were born to female “Kaya” July 28. Vets gave the babies their first medical check this morning. The two males and one female are all healthy. Photo courtesy of Reid Park Zoo

Giraffe now well enough to meet public

Denver munches mesquite beans from the hand of zookeeper Karen Toca.

Denver, the giraffe

Zookeeper, Karen Toca, fed Denver mesquite beans this morning. It was the first time Denver has participated in the daily Giraffe Encounter events since she was fed poisonous plants July 18. Visitors hand-fed the 20-year-old giraffe carrots, which she eagerly accepted.

Denver, the giraffe

Though Denver’s condition has improved, zoo officials warn the giraffe has not yet fully recovered. Keepers continue to monitor her closely.

Sculpture heralds elephants to come

This is an artist rendering of the Expedition Tanzania elephant habitat. Construction began in January 2011 and is expected to be completed in January 2012 with elephants moving in by late February or early March.

Reid Zoo's Boris the polar bear dies of apparent allergic reaction

Boris the polar bear came to the Reid Park Zoo in 2001 and lately had been acting "kind of weird," according to a zoo official. He was anesthetized to see what was going on but never really rebounded.