The Birmingham Zoo was founded in 1950, and is located along with the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Lane Park. The 122 acre zoo showcases some 750 animals that represent 250 species, including endangered species from six continents. The zoo traces its beginnings to a Southside firehouse which was home to a small menagerie of animals. As the animal collection grew, the location was moved to Magnolia Park and then to Avondale Park. The only exotic animal the zoo had at the time was "Miss Fancy,'' an elephant which was donated to the zoo by the Birmingham Advertising Club.
As the zoo grew, city officials recognized the need to build a larger facility to house the collection of animals. The Olmstead Brothers landscape architecture firm drew up a series of plans for parks throughout Birmingham, and the after consulting with other zoos, the architects drafted blueprints for a permanent facility. A zoo commission was established and with a budget of $250,000, decided to build the facilities on 50 acres of land at the southern foot of Red Mountain. Lane Park was a larger parcel of land, which became home to the zoo and neighboring botanical garden.
The facility which was originally known as the Jimmy Morgan Zoo first opened its doors to the public on April 2nd, 1955, with Monkey Island as its first exhibit. The city of Birmingham assumed control over the zoo in November 1995, and the name was changed to the Birmingham Zoo. In 2005, the zoo was named the top tourist attraction in Alabama, and draws more than 450,000 visitors every year.
Over the years, the zoo has featured traveling exhibits of bats, Koalas and Blackfooted Penguins. Permanent exhibits at the zoo feature Komodo dragons, a lorikeet aviary and a $15 million anchor exhibit dedicated to children which showcases urban, rural and wild animals indigenous to Alabama. Other animals found at the zoo are sea lions, kangaroos, 80 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles and 60 species of mammals.
The zoo not only features rare and exotic animals, but also hosts some very informative educational events. Some of the most interesting events to visit at the zoo are the Sea Lion Training Demonstration shows held daily, and the Kangaroo Kountry. Kangaroo Kountry is an impressive exhibit that features red and gray kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles, birds and other animals that hail from Australia.
Birmingham Zoo has educational programs designed for youngsters, to make learning about wildlife more fun and exciting. The mission of the zoo is to connect visitors of all ages with nature, and to enhance understanding about the diversity of the environment and animals. The zoo is opened daily from 9 am till 5 pm, and is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
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