5 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Alabama

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Many of us remember a trip to the zoo or a visit to an aquarium as a child.

For the luckiest of us, the best part was sticking an elephant-shaped, red plastic key into the food pellet dispenser to feed the monkeys and flamingos.

Some of us stood in awe in front of the gorilla cage or trembled in fear in the reptile room.

We watched bright tropical fish swim through a coral reef display while anemones waved red tendrils.

And we walked so long that even kindergarten-aged kids envied their toddler siblings sleeping in strollers.

Back then, every zoo and aquarium we visited was the best.

Who Regulates Zoos and Aquariums?

Animal Welfare Act

Before the passage of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966, zoos and aquariums had very little oversight.

No other federal law regulates how animals are treated in zoos, aquariums, research facilities, schools, and breeding centers.

The Animal Welfare Act covers each situation, whether the animals serve as exhibits, undergo testing procedures, or need transport.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service — APHIS — enforces the act’s principles.

The AWA and APHIS receive their statutory authority from 7 USC 2131.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The AZA devotes itself to worldwide oversight of zoos and aquariums.

The AZA ensures their conservation, education, scientific research, and leisure programs will house, feed, exhibit, and provide appropriate medical treatment for all living creatures in their care. 

Additionally, the AZA promotes conservation efforts around the globe and regulates the numbers and types of animals exhibited in a given space.

The AZA also prohibits taking animals from the wild except to provide medical treatment and returning them to their native habitat unless that return would cause their death.

Worldwide, as of September 2022, only 238 institutions have AZA accreditation, and 15 related facilities have AZA certification.

View the AZA Accreditation Standards and Related Policies here.

The Zoological Association of America

The association resulted from a 2005 merger of the International Society of Zooculturists with the United Zoological Association.

ZAA’s 60-plus accredited facilities oversee a $150 million annual budget.

Moreover, ZAA contributed $4 million to various NGOs’ ongoing global conservation efforts.

The ZAA focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction of sick or injured animals.

All ZAA-certified facilities must have a written plan for all the collections currently built and in use and future exhibits that will enhance the zoo’s reputation for excellence in conservation, education, and species diversity.

Dive into the ZAA Accreditation Standards here.

What Qualities Do the Best Zoos and Aquaria Share?

Before discussing where to find the best zoos and aquariums in Alabama, it helps to define what best means and describe how an institution achieves that status.

First, zoos and aquariums must receive a license from APHIS.

To receive one, a representative from APHIS will conduct an initial in-person study, which takes place over several days.

During this time, APHIS inspectors ensure that the facility meets minimum specifications for humane animal treatment under AZA standards and the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act. 

Living spaces must include indoor, climate-controlled rooms or tanks of sufficient size for the animal to sit, stand, turn around, walk, fly, or swim.

Also, each animal needs enough outdoor space to run, jump, and climb.

In addition, all habitats must contain intellectual and emotionally-stimulating equipment, so the animal does not suffer boredom.

Finally, food must be sufficient in quantity, quality, and variety to meet the animal’s nutritional needs.

Ethically Obtains Its Animals, Fish, and Plants

Responsible institutions do not take animals from the wild unless the animal is sick or injured and needs medical care to survive.

Injured animals get returned to the wild when they recover unless they are not able to take care of their own needs.

Zoos and aquariums with successful breeding programs will loan or share animals with other institutions if doing so helps reduce their threatened or endangered status in the wild.

Demonstrates Excellence Before Its Construction

Facilities can demonstrate their excellence long before the first shovel goes into the ground to begin building a zoo or aquarium. 

The North Alabama Zoological Society has yet to break ground, but it has already been instrumental in worldwide conservation, research, and education programs.

Between joint fundraising efforts with AA LA Angels affiliates, the Rocket City Trash Pandas, and a $17,000 gift from Collins Aerospace, the proposed North Alabama zoo and aquarium in Huntsville is well on its way.

Planning for AZA status has guided every step of the process.

Five Excellent  Zoos and Aquariums in Alabama

AZA and ZAA accreditation and certification are the pinnacles of excellence for zoos and aquariums.

However, achieving it takes time, money, and a ton of outreach programs to attract the most qualified people in the animal care field.

Fundraising efforts help keep admission costs low, but park memberships alone cannot support a park.

Grants and endowments, memorial benches and bricks, gift shop sales, and direct mail pleas all help keep parks afloat.

If you see flaws at your local zoo or aquarium, chances are that the zoological garden or aquarium needs fundraising help.

Contact the park closest to you and help make it the best.

The following five zoos and aquariums in Alabama serve as the best the state has to offer at this time:

Birmingham Zoo

As the only AZA-accredited zoo in Alabama, the Birmingham Zoo provides a model for what a zoo can accomplish.

For example, due to the recent detection of avian flu in the United States, the park’s staff have taken proactive steps to protect the already-endangered or threatened bird species from exposure. 

The zoo’s 550 animals represent 180 species living on 122 acres of carefully-designed habitat.

Although visits plunged in 2020,  the zoo had 492,546 paid admissions in 2021, exceeding previous totals by 30 percent.

In addition, the zoo provides membership discounts for military and foster families. 

Besides admissions and memberships, zoo patrons can donate a one-time or recurring planned amount or adopt an animal. 

Moreover, you can purchase from the zoo’s wishlist, and Amazon will ship those essential items to the zoo immediately.

Corporate partners also help fund the zoo.

In return for your corporate partnership, your company name will appear on signage greeting 600,000 visitors and 38,000 member magazine readers.

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

The  Zoological Association of America provides accreditation for this 25-acre zoo, which houses over 300 animals.

Feed the giraffes or spend time with the zoo’s ambassador animals: sloths, kangaroos, and lemurs.

Adventure programs require separate tickets plus gate admission.

Zoo visitors can help expand exhibits by purchasing brick pavers, deck boards, trees, shrubs, Legacy stones, and educational benches. 

Alabama Safari Park

Founded in 2018, this 350-acre drive-through zoo features 47 species, including Grey’s Zebra, the Southern Cassowary, llamas, camels, anteaters, and lemurs. 

Consult the Alabama Safari Park Guidebook to identify the animals you see.

Do not exit your vehicle during the tour; all doors must remain closed.

Windows must stay down while feeding animals, and you must use park feed only.

Buckets of animal feed cost $5.00, and summertime wagon rides cost $10 per person, plus park admission.

Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Founded in 1971 by the Alabama legislature, DISL partners with 22 colleges and universities to provide marine science education programs and conduct coastal and oceanic research.

DISL also maintains ARCOS, the Alabama Real-Time Coastal Observing System, whose readings update every 30 minutes.

With two research vessels — the R/V E.O. Wilson and the R/V Alabama Discovery — DISL can transport 20 and 37 students, respectively.

Montgomery Zoo

This zoo’s 40 acres house over 500 animals from five continents.

Ride the train around the lake, take the Zoofari skylift, or head to the Mann Museum’s 275 live exhibits and 70 life-size mounted displays.

Tickets for unlimited same-day rides cost $10.

Listen and learn to identify wildlife sounds as you study the Mann Museum’s North American reptiles, insects, freshwater, and saltwater fish.

Become a member, volunteer, apply for an internship, or schedule a school tour.

The Montgomery Zoo has accreditation through the Zoological Association of America.

5 Best Zoos and Aquariums in Alabama – Summary Table

Alabama Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Alabama Safety Review

Safety Index:

80

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW