Zoos in Alabama

Alabama's zoos range from a city-run park to small, family-style attractions near the Gulf. Birmingham Zoo, which opened in 1955 at the foot of Red Mountain, is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and its Trails of Africa area centers on a herd of African elephants. Montgomery Zoo began in 1935 as the Oak Park Zoo and now holds Zoological Association of America accreditation rather than AZA. On the coast, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in Gulf Shores covers about 25 acres, roughly six miles from the beach, and opened at its present location in 1989. Auburn Raptor Center and Tigers for Tomorrow at Untamed Mountain in Attalla are specialized, non-AZA facilities.