Montgomery Zoo

Montgomery Zoo

Date opened	1935
Location	Montgomery, Alabama
Land area	42 acres (170,000 m2)
Number of animals	500
Number of species	150
Memberships	AZA

Montgomery Zoo is located on the north side of Montgomery, Alabama. The Montgomery Zoo was established in 1935 at Oak Park as Oak Park Zoo. It grew and thrived there until the 1960s. In 1974, the Zoo was re-established and moved to its current located in north Montgomery. In 1989, the Zoo underwent a major expansion encompassing over 48 acres (190,000 m²) and 500 species of animals. In 1991, the Montgomery Zoo became an independent city department thus leaving the supervision of the Parks and Recreation Department. The Zoo reports directly to the Mayor. It is staffed by administrators, animal care specialists, conservation and preservation specialists, veterinarians and animal care technicians, education curators, trainers, museum staff and curators, merchandisers, concessions and catering staff, maintenance and operation engineers, customer service and volunteers. This is one of only two zoos in Alabama accredited with AZA.

Attractions\Future Plans

The zoo features an entry plaza that is always decorated with floral arrangements. The zoo has an "Overlook Cafe" that enables whomever is there to get a panoramic view of the zoo. An old world aviary is located at the cafe. The zoo also has a miniature train ride that goes around the entire zoo and a small lakewith peddle boat rentals. The future of this zoo is full of expansion. They are constructing a new american alligator enclosure in the North American realm. They are also planning horse rides and a sky lift. The sky lift will give visitors a bird's eye view of the zoo.

Exhibits

Australia

The Australian Realm has a bridge in the exhibit that guests can cross. The bridge encloses a small proportion of the exhibit in a corner. This proportion is a seasonal exhibit. In the past it has been home to aardwolfs, warthogs, and pygmy hippos. Even though these animals are not Australian, they are favorites among the guests.

On the other side of the bridge, where the field is much larger, the following species all live in harmony with each other:

• red kangaroo
• bennett's wallaby
• magpie goose
• black swan

Asia

The zoo is home to an award winning Asian hoofstock exhibit. It is home to numerous hoofstock species.

• banteng
• muntjac
• fallow deer
• sika deer
• axis deer
• sarus crane

There are separate enclosures for the Sumatran Tiger and Indian Rhinoceros. The first ever baby rhino for the zoo is a male born October 1, 2007.

Africa

The African Realm is without a doubt the most expansive exhibit in the zoo. The first baby elephant born in Alabama was a female born here on Nov 9, 2007. For the animals, it features waterfalls, a twenty four thousand square foot night house, and several enrichment items, scattered across the exhibit that change on a regular basis. In the decorative foliage around the elephant habitat, a group of African penguins reside together.

Across a small stream separating the elephants from the hoofstock, the African grazers can be found. These animals spend the day roaming their exhibit, which includes hills and logs. This section of the African habitat has several viewing stations. This exhibit includes:

• Grant's Zebra
• Greater kudu
• Pygmy hippopotamus
• Grey crowned crane
• marabou stork
• Slender-horned Gazelle
• Dama Gazelle
• bontebok

Another small stream separates the Reticulated Giraffe and Abyssinian Ground-hornbill from the hoofstock. The giraffes have their own yard and can be seen up close from the cafe. There is also a Giraffe Encounter Post where visitors can get upclose and personal and even feed the giraffes.

The Old World Aviary is also seen from the cafe. It is home to a wide variety of birds.

• Blue Duiker
• Eclectus Parrot
• African Grey Parrot
• Hammerkop
• Ross's Turaco
• Sacred Ibis
• Lilac-breasted Roller

The African Realm is also home to the Siamang, Chimpanzee, Günther's Dik-dik, Lion, and Cheetah. All are housed in separate enclosures.

South America

This is the only section of the zoo that does not have a large field exhibit. It was the entire zoo before it expanded in 1989. This section is full of smaller exhibits.

• jaguar
• ocelot
• sloth bear
• greater rhea
• cavy
• toco toucan
• Military Macaw, blue and gold macaw, scarlet macaw, Hyacinth Macaw
• squirrel monkey
• spider monkey
• emperor tamarin
• Geoffroy's Tamarin
• Golden Lion Tamarin
• titi monkey
• maned wolf
• giant anteater
• king vulture
• andean condor
• flamingo

The zoo also has a South American Aviary that is made to resemble the 1904 World's Fair Aviary. The aviary is designed to immerse one into the steamy swamps of a rain forest. It is full of native foliage and has two ponds with waterfalls.

• coscoroba
• scarlet ibis
• Grey Peacock-pheasant
• white-faced whistling duck
• roseate spoonbill
• Ringed Teal

This part of the zoo also plays host to the reptile house. The reptile house has several specimens of reptiles as well as amphibians.

• rhino ratsnake
• hognose snake
• pancake tortoise
• emerald tree boa
• Grey-Banded Kingsnake
• blood python
• american alligator
• Yellow Monitor
• Crocodile Monitor
• burmese python
• Panther chameleon

North America

The North American exhibit is full of several species of hoofstock that can be found in Alabama and other parts of the USA.

• white-tailed deer
• bison
• wild turkey
• elk
• bighorn sheep

There are separate enclosures for the lynx, cougar, black bear, and bald eagle. The newest exhibit is the North American River Otter which also houses a large alligator snapping turtle in a separate pond. The new boardwalk also gives a closer look at the bald eagles and Crystal Lake. The peddle boat rentals are found on the boardwalk.

Books

• Oak Park and Montgomery Zoo (ISBN 0738553115)

External links

• General information
• Coordinates: 32°25′12″N 86°16′38″W / 32.420128°N 86.277201°W / 32.420128; -86.277201