Tucson zoo has more than a half-million visitors in 2013

With 547,040 visitors, 2013 was the second-highest attended year in the zoo’s 48-year-history, following on the heels of a record year in 2012 when 606,884 people visited the zoo,

The spike in 2012 was prompted by the opening of the seven-acre Expedition Tanzania elephant exhibit, said Vivian VanPeenen, a zoo spokeswoman.

Other factors that drew crowds to the zoo in 2013 were updated exhibits, the introduction of new animals, including grizzly bears Ronan and Finley, and two black- and-white ruffed lemurs, and plenty of fair weather, VanPeenen said.

“We are very pleased to see these numbers,” zoo administrator Jason Jacobs said in a news release, “All of our new exhibits and amenities are a great investment for the future of Tucson and wildlife conservation. With every new exhibit that opens we are improving the quality of life for the community and are now consistently providing over half a million visitors with the opportunity to experience and connect with wildlife.”

The zoo’s most recent additions, four lion cubs born Dec. 23, are gaining weight and strength and are expected to be on exhibit in about six weeks, she said.

The zoo will focus its efforts this year on the design and funding of a new health center for the animals, VanPeenen said.

“The current one is too small and is outdated and it doesn’t hold the modern equipment that we have and need,” she said.