The Phoenix Zoo Unveils Stunning New Big Cats Exhibit To Boost Tourism
The Phoenix Zoo is making waves in the wildlife community with the recent opening of its $5.4 million Big Cats of Arizona exhibit. This ambitious project is part of a broader effort to enhance tourism in Arizona and to provide visitors with a unique opportunity to observe some of the rarest big cats found in the United States.
Financing for the new habitat began in 2021, fueled by a grant of $768,000 from the Arizona Office of Tourism’s Visit Arizona initiative, a program designed to bolster jobs in the travel and hospitality sectors through tourism-related projects. After raising the remaining funds, the exhibit officially opened its doors earlier this month.
Linda Hardwick, the zoo's Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Events, emphasizes the exhibit's significance: “A lot of folks have never seen mountain lions or jaguars because they’re so few and far between in the state of Arizona. Getting to see them up close is definitely something that we hope people will want to take advantage of and see in person.”
With jaguar and mountain lion sightings being increasingly rare, Arizona boasts a unique environment where these majestic animals can thrive. Arizona is one of only three states with a jaguar presence, which adds to the exclusivity of this new exhibit. The newly housed jaguars, Caipora and Saban, have moved into spacious accommodations that more than double their previous living area. Mystic, the mountain lion, has also benefited from an expanded habitat that is five times larger than her former home.
The enhancements to the habitat include innovative features like a “cat walk,” allowing visitors to walk underneath the big cats, an experiential opportunity that promises to be both thrilling and educational.
Art Pearce, whose family significantly contributed to the project with a $1 million donation, believes that unique attractions like the Big Cats of Arizona set the Phoenix Zoo apart from other zoological facilities across the nation. “Of course, the African lions and the tigers from other parts of the country are wonderful to see, and all the zoos have those, but not all zoos have an American jaguar and a mountain lion,” he notes.
Encouraging tourism is imperative for Arizona, which welcomed over 45 million visitors in 2023 alone, collectively spending $29.3 billion in the state. Such economic influx not only stimulates the job market but also helps generate significant tax revenue, thus enhancing local communities. The Phoenix Zoo, being the third most popular tourist attraction in the state, is ideally positioned to capitalize on these dynamics.
As this landmark exhibit attracts visitors, it remains to be seen how learning about these endangered species will reshape public perceptions and conservation efforts. Will this spark a greater interest in wildlife preservation? The community is eager to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below with your observations or experiences with the Phoenix Zoo!
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