The Birmingham Zoo
Opening its doors to the public in 1955, the Birmingham Zoo is the zoological park located in Birmingham, Alabama. Its land area of 122 acres serve as the home to around 800 animals that represent more than 200 species, which include a lot of endangered species coming from the six continents.
The Birmingham Zoo is under the management of a private nonprofit corporation. This is also a member of the AZA or Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is also a participant at the AZA Species Survival Plans.
Short History of the Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo’s origins started with the small menagerie of the exotic animals being kept in the Southside firehouse. With the growth of the collection, it was initially moved to Magnolia Park and later to Avondale Park. By then, the collection was composed primarily of non-exotic animals aside from Miss Fancy, the only elephant that was donated by Birmingham Advertising Club that bought it as promotional novelty from the struggling circus that was stranded in the city.
With the growth in scope and size of the collection, the leaders of the city got in touch with the Olmsted Brothers, a landscape architecture firm. They then drew up plans for Birmingham’s system of parks for advice regarding housing a zoological collection. They then got in touch with several existing municipal zoos and plans started for providing new permanent home for the continuously growing attraction.
Zoo Exhibits
At the main zoo, you will find Bird Aviaries, Alligator Swamp, Cassowary Exhibit, camel rides that are available during summer and spring seasons only, Lorikeet Interactive Feeding and Observation Aviary, Flamingo Lagoon, Macaw Plaza, Predator Zoon, Predator Building, Primate Building, Secretary Birds, Reptile Building, Sea Lions and Red Diamond Sea Lion Splash Show, Tortoise Yard, Wildlife Stage and Waterfowl Ponds.
Other Activities and Facilities
Aside from the main zoo exhibits, other things and activities that you can try at the Birmingham Zoo include the carousel, pelican feeding, lorikeet feeding, Kudzoo Café, Primary Giftshop, Safari Café, Sea Lion Splash Show, Safari Peak Pavilion, Wildlife Show and Tiki Hut Giftshop.
Trails of Africa
By year 2007, the Birmingham Zoo announced their major expansion named Trails of Africa. This was opened to the public in 2011, featuring bull African Elephants in the bachelor herd setting. It is an evolutionary exhibit since this has never been done before in a zoo in the United States to house several males together and try to replicate the bull herds that were recently found in the wild. Right now, three elephants live in the new facility. The Trails of Africa includes a safari café, interactive boma yard, waterhole exhibit and many other small accessories. The exhibit is what makes the Birmingham Zoo as a national leader when it comes to the breeding and care of elephants.
When the main exhibit was completed in early 2011, the pachyderm building that was already 50 years old was renovated to let the staff offer higher quality of care for the Nile Hippo and three Southern White Rhinos living there. A brand new Giraffe yard was added by April 2012, allowing the young Giraffe herd of the zoo to continue growing and allowing visitors a closer look at animals while on their new feeding platform.
Admission:
Adults – $17.95
Children 2 – 12 years old – $12.95
Senior Citizens 65 years+ – $14.95
Military (Active duty only- must show military ID)- $14*
*Plus tax
Admission is half price every Tuesday.
Zoo hours:
9am to 5pm: Monday/Friday
9am to 7pm: Saturday/Sunday
Christmas Eve hours: 9am to 1pm
The Zoo is closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
For information, please contact Group reservations,
at (205) 879-0409.
Visit there website here for more information. www.Birminghamzoo.com