opened largest privately owned non profit zoo united_states located phoenix arizona zoo founded member family operates acres land area phoenix designated zoo animals display contains miles walking trails divided main themed areas trails american southwest flora fauna animals africa residents rain forests children trail includes zoo zoo conservation minded inception soon opened hosted thought arabian formed basis world herd created eventually allowed species wild includes sanctuary care animals endangered unwanted history began personal project formed intention opening zoo phoenix died months opening zoo opened schedule november originally named zoo renamed following year phoenix zoo identify closely community zoo privately owned non profit venture zoo financial struggles early 1960s grew substantially 1970s added numerous new exhibits landscaping features visitor amenities 1980s saw continued growth addition habitat areas children zoo new entrance complex exhibits time zoo underwent renovation project divide themed zones called trails featuring different types exhibits zoo expanded opening home zoo domestic farm animals zoo opened added new walk exhibit called november aquatic species added zoo opening november dragons brought zoo zoo capital campaign april zoo capital campaign new exhibit opened public areas attractions major themed areas trails visitors experience exhibits representing different areas world native wildlife arizona trail arizona trail designed emulate wildlife plant life state arizona features plants native desert including animals commonly known raven turkey vulture thick billed mexican gray wolf africa trail showcases popular animals world including african wild dogs white african lions desert lives pronounced like life trail africa trail lion exhibits features sheep arabian natural parts inner trail following lake home tropical flights ring tailed outer tropics trail passes exhibit asian elephants jaguar giant tiger assortment tropical birds includes forest lush landscape surrounds visitors mile walking trail includes south american scientific expedition ruins highlights tropical animals including bear children trail children trail lets children close small mammals world including golden rectangular display called feel difference charts fish chart created continuing trail featuring farm animals zoo demonstrations farming agriculture oriented children hunt bass house house built located grounds following great depression governor hunt arizona elected governor commissioned bass fish established arizona property listed national_register_of_historic_places january reference attractions addition trails zoo specialty attractions opened november included rays southern touch tank touch tank lets visitors touch rays trimmed safety exhibit permanent installation equipment adjust water temperatures summer october bamboo sharks added exhibit endangered species featured splash pad provides nonstop guided tour zoo rides programs zoo wide array youth programs animal encounters including field trips outreach program includes outreach locations outside city summer camp large volunteer program teenagers known program conservation efforts opening zoo focused animal conservation efforts programs include captive breeding instance arabian black mexican wolf leopard frog thick billed sanctuary animals longer breeding instance african wild dogs zoo rescue rehabilitation instance lead poisoning treatments california species goal engage animal research projects selected species need conservation efforts years zoo hosted captive breeding program operation specific goal extinct arabian wild early 1990s program programs golden lion gone wilderness zoo wilderness sequence caught donated breeding program pairs delayed world herd started phoenix animals shipped zoo born quickly delayed pairs arrived increase herd individuals program successful zoo celebrated arabian birth arabian extinct wild efforts started released wild central desert additional captive discovered basis instance saudi_arabia arabian wild today ancestors sanctuary zoo provides sanctuary animals need place live reasons like arabian mexican gray wolf white participate captive breeding programs african spotted dogs retired programs need home problems return wild animals sanctuary treated somewhat differently animals zoo normal exhibits balance needs animals visitors example incorporating large viewing areas sanctuary exhibits completely focused comfort animals death zoo famous painting elephant zoo abandoned elephant breeding program began focus elephant behavior zoo currently home asian elephants variety issues common aggression elephants elephant performer circus subject captured remote regions properly rescue rehabilitation zoo provides lead poisoning treatment california area birds endangered species planet having time reduced individuals wild february treated female released 1990s son survived rare birth wild birds captured region brought zoo treated california treated lead poisoning zoo march elephant garnered worldwide attention animals asian elephant named came zoo months born thailand noticing sand sticks keeper decided brush paint quickly known paintings sales raised zoo art collectors world joined month waiting lists paid hundreds dollars original prints pregnant near end month pregnancy discovered dead slipped abdomen complications surgery remove pound controversies zoo director merged departments zoo business intended provide direction zoo operations zoo approximately volunteers interpreted merger elimination volunteer training efforts result half left zoo named filed series complaints zoo animal care management complaints backed zoo employees chief animal complaints stated dozens animals harmed died result poor management feeding practices procedures year zoo employee discounted nelson claims invalid having corrected following june independent committee experts areas country cleared charges published report committee outlined minor flaws zoo operation reported deficiencies fundraising redesign phoenix municipal bond election march provided million project marking time zoo received public funds history june zoo director announced major fund raising drive years update zoo infrastructure aging exhibits zoo needs raise million complete project shorter term goal raise million pay number improvements way
Phoenix Zoo