zoo safari birmingham al

• Where To Stay
• Attractions
• Experiences & Itineraries
• Family Friendly
• Live Music & Nightlife
• Food & Drink
• Request A Guide
• Neighborhoods

• Meetings & Conventions
• Group Tours
• International
• Student / Youth
• Submit An RFP

• Festivals & Events

Light Up Your Holidays with Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo from Nov. 17 to Jan. 15

BIRMINGHAM, AL – While the Birmingham Zoo has more than 500 animals showcased during the day, get ready for new animals appearing at night. Glow Wild:  An Animal Lantern Celebration will open one month from today. Sponsored by Alabama Power, Glow Wild will feature more than 100 lanterns showcasing international animals and one special tribute to Birmingham. This year’s event will feature new animal lanterns plus exciting acrobatic performances each night. Glow Wild will be open each week on select days between November 17, 2023 and January 15, 2024.

“Since Glow Wild runs from Thanksgiving through Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, and New Year’ before closing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ‘Light Up Your Holidays’ summarized the three-month-long celebration,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo.  “This event is perfect for the entire family or for groups of friends,” he said. “Guests will be captivated by new jaw-dropping lantern creations of wildlife and plants of all sizes soaring up to 30 feet high! Your Birmingham Zoo will brilliantly sparkle to light up the night and offer something for everyone to enjoy.”

Glow Wild will be open from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., so guests will see the Birmingham Zoo come alive for a larger-than-life illuminated experience. In addition to enjoying the new lanterns and acrobats, the Red Diamond Train will be all decked out for the holidays and is always a crowd favorite.

For a more detailed dates and to purchase tickets, visit www.birminghamzoo.com/glowwild .

Glow Wild is a weather-dependent event with nights being subject to cancellation. Please be aware that as a night event, zoo animals will not be viewable during the event.

MEDIA CONTACT Bill Lang – Director, Marketing & Events [email protected] | 205.218.3561

SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook   @BirminghamZoo Twitter        @BirminghamZoo Instagram   @bhamzoo

ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO The Birmingham Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Approximately 550 animals of 180 species call the Birmingham Zoo home, including giraffes, elephants, zebras, rhinos, and endangered species from six continents. The Birmingham Zoo is the only AZA-accredited zoo in Alabama.

OUR MISSION : Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World

www.birminghamzoo.com | 2630 Cahaba Road | Birmingham, AL 35223

Privacy Overview

• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Zoolight Safari - Birmingham Zoo

• United States    
• Alabama (AL)    
• Birmingham    
• Birmingham - Things to Do    
• Birmingham Zoo

Zoolight Safari

Great for kids...dress warmly! The zoolight safari is really good, better than Boo at the Zoo in my opinion. We have also been during the day, but I have not been since the trails of Africa have opened.

Bham Zoo is great for our size town. They are doing a great job with renovations. It is sad the baby lions grew up so fast and are now moving away. The food is pretty good. Remember to bring your swimsuit to play in the splash pad area.

This is a small zoo, but they have a good selection and take good care of the animals. Wonderful for the kids, and the train ride is neat.

Love the new changes at the zoo and the new animals! Elephants and Rhinos now have more room. Kinda expensive unless you join

This zoo has improved tremendously over the past few years. We have now had a membership for the past two years and it has been worth every penny. When we moved to Birmingham in 2006, I vowed that I would never return there after my first visit because of the poor conditions the animals were forced to live in. Now, I'm impressed by every single visit at how much this zoo now has to offer. The exhibits are so much nicer and the animals seem much happier too.

the bird display with feeding was the highlight of the trip. Love that hands on. Most animals were asleep or not in their area. Water fountain was great for younger kids. bring extra clothes

Watch Birmingham Zoo Light Up With A Million Lights At ZooLight Safari In Alabama

Jennifer Young

More by this Author

It’s no secret Alabama is a great place to spend the holiday season. One of the many reasons why is because of its wonderful Christmas events. ZooLight Safari, which celebrates its 26th year this holiday season, happens to be one of these events. To learn all about ZooLight Safari, including ticket costs, take a look below.

Related Stories

Southern Farm Table Restaurant & Bakery Is An All-You-Can-Eat Buffet In Alabama That's Full Of Southern Flavor

Falling Rock Falls Hike Is A Short And Easy Trail That's Nestled In Alabama's Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge

Humming Star Alpacas Alpaca Farm In Alabama Makes For A Fun Family Day Trip

Have you ever attended Birmingham Zoo’s ZooLight Safari? If so, please share your experience with us in the comments below.

Another Christmas event in Alabama where you’ll experience millions of lights is Huntsville’s Galaxy of Lights. For information, be sure to take a look at one of our most recent articles: Drive Through Millions Of Lights At Galaxy Of Lights In Alabama This Holiday Season .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Alabama in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Alabama!

Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• Play With Lemurs At Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo For An Adorable Adventure
• Take This Delta Wildlife Kayak Tour In Alabama For An Unforgettable Summer Adventure
• Discover 7 Of Alabama's Best Wildlife Areas While On This Loop Trail
• Alabama Farmers Market Is One Of The Best Year-Round Markets In America
• Nothing Says Fall Is Here Like A Visit To Tate Farms In Alabama
• Alabama's Farm House Cafe Is A Charming Small Town Restaurant
• This Enormous Roadside Farmers Market In Alabama Is Too Good To Pass Up
• The Small Town Petting Zoo In Alabama That's Worthy Of A Road Trip

Explore Alabama

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

Featured Addresses

• Activities & Events
• Crafts & Recipes
• Family Life

Advertisement

Zoolight Safari at the Birmingham Zoo

Watch as the Birmingham Zoo comes alive for a jubilant holiday celebration at our 25th annual ZooLight Safari presented by Wells Fargo! Be amazed by enchanting illuminations and sparkling lights. Enjoy the sounds of seasonal songs and holiday classics as you delight in delicious treats and decadent desserts at the S’mores & More station! Get creative making crafts, decorating ornaments, and writing letters to Santa. Take a merry ride on the Shipt Candy Cane Train, go for a spin on the Jingle Bell Carousel, dash down the Yuletide Slide, hop on the Santa Rollers, and enjoy fun holiday themed games on Henley Park!

Guests will be captivated by the festive décor and a nearly 30 ft. tall tree of lights. Dance and sing the night away under the stars with spectacular live entertainment. Capture the joy of your loved ones in a photo with Santa at the Holiday Card Photo Op. In addition to the incredible holiday magic, ZooLight Safari will feature special nights with surprise guests and joyous performances, including Singing Santa! Start a new holiday tradition with the Birmingham Zoo during the 2018 ZooLight Safari presented by Wells Fargo!

December 7 – 9 December 14 – 23 December 26 – 31

*The Zoo will CLOSE EARLY at 4:00pm every night of ZooLight Safari.

5:00 – 9:00pm

Birmingham Zoo

PRICING *Members  Free Admission Non-Members  $10 Admission Ride Tickets  $3.50 — not included with admission Unlimited Attraction Wristband  $10 — not included with admission

PARKING Parking at the Zoo is FREE **Purchase a Premium Parking Space for $10 — Parking spaces must be purchased in advance. Guests must have printed parking pass in dashboard of car.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Advertisements

• Advertisers

Upcoming Events

• There are no upcoming events.

Copyright © Birmingham Mommy 2024. All Rights Reserved. website by Infomedia

Watch the Birmingham Zoo come to life at night during Glow Wild, now through January 15—get tickets

• LAST UPDATED 12/01/23

Looking for holiday fun? The Birmingham Zoo presents Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration , sponsored by Alabama Power. Get ready to explore over 100 larger-than-life illuminated lanterns at night featuring animals and one shaped like Vulcan. Plus, you can enjoy hot cocoa, live acrobats and holiday cheer.

• What: Glow Wild
• Where: Birmingham Zoo, 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
• When: Friday, November 17, 2023 – Monday, January 15, 2024 | 5-9PM
• Glow Wild is a weather-dependent event with nights being subject to cancellation.
• Get tickets

Watch the Birmingham Zoo come alive

Birmingham Zoo has more than 500 animals showcased during the day, but once the sun sets, get ready for a unique adventure with one-of-a-kind light-up lantern creations.

As you adventure through the pathways, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering giraffes, playful pandas and more. From sea creatures to plants, there’s a lantern for everyone.

BONUS: Check out the special Birmingham Vulcan lantern that pays tribute to The Magic City.

Buy tickets now to experience Glow Wild this holiday season .

Light Up Your Holidays in Birmingham

“Since Glow Wild runs from Thanksgiving through Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, and New Year’s before closing on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, ‘Light Up Your Holidays’ summarized the three-month-long celebration. This event is perfect for the entire family or for groups of friends. Guests will be captivated by new jaw-dropping lantern creations of wildlife and plants of all sizes soaring up to 30 feet high! Your Birmingham Zoo will brilliantly sparkle to light up the night and offer something for everyone to enjoy.” Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO, Birmingham Zoo

While you’re enjoying the evening, the elephants, zebras and other zoo animals will be safely tucked away for the night.

See live acrobats perform each evening

To make the night more delightful, grab a cup of warm hot chocolate and watch as acrobats and jugglers flip through the night sky.

Take a ride through the Birmingham Zoo

After checking out the cool new lanterns and acrobats, hop on the Red Diamond Express Train—it’s decked out for the holidays.

Looking for more fun? Climb up the Full Moon Bar-B-Que Adventure Tower.

Single tickets are sold onsite at each ride location as well as the gift shop and any of the snack or retail spaces throughout the Zoo.

• TRAIN Glow Wild: Wednesday-Sunday 5-8:45PM
• $3.95 plus tax per ride

Ready to experience holiday fun at Birmingham Zoo? Get your Glow Wild tickets now .

Sponsored by:

Lauren Perry

You might also like.

16 weekend events in Birmingham including 2 spring plant sales + funky fish fry—April 11-14

Save the Date: Women’s March Madness coming to Birmingham in 2025

April is for the Arts! 5 UAB events you need to check out

• Agriculture
• Arts & Literature
• Business & Industry
• Geography & Environment
• Government & Politics
• Science & Technology
• Sports & Recreation
• Organizations
• Collections
• Quick Facts

Birmingham Zoo

The first public zoo in the city of Birmingham consisted of a collection of exotic animals housed in the city’s Fire Station No. 3. After a time, the animals were kept in Magnolia Park until complaints from nearby neighbors led to the zoo’s closing. In 1911, a new zoological garden was opened on the edge of Avondale Park and two years later, the Avondale Zoo purchased a former circus elephant named Miss Fancy that soon became its star attraction. By 1934, the economic strain of the Great Depression on state and local finances forced local leaders to close the Avondale Zoo and sell Miss Fancy.

Despite the required $250,000 not being raised, excavation on the new site began in early May 1954, when it was decided to open the new exhibits piecemeal as funds were raised. On April 2, 1955, Monkey Island and a nearby duck pond opened as the first exhibits, both of which sparked interest in completing the zoo. By November of that year, the Birmingham City Commission assumed responsibility for the zoo and provided it with an initial annual budget of $663,000. For a time, the zoo was named the “Jimmy Morgan Zoo” in honor of the city’s mayor and a portrait bust of Morgan was placed near the popular Monkey Island. Morgan later urged that his name be removed, and it became known as the “Birmingham Zoo.” The injection of public funds eventually led to the completion of multiple exhibits, including the Lion House, Hoofed Animal Barn, Bear Moat, a new Primate House, and the Elephant House. In 1958, an exhibit known as the “Kiddie Zoo” was opened and included more than 100 baby animals and a miniature railroad. The railroad was the first of several the zoo has featured, including one that was leased to the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera , Shelby County .

In 1960, the city of Birmingham pushed through a $1 million bond to fund the completion of the Giraffe House and Reptile House and a large flight enclosure for birds. As the funding needs for the zoo’s continuing expansion increased, the Birmingham Zoo began to charge admission for the first time in November 1962. The Birmingham Zoological Society was also established as the zoo’s official fundraising organization. The 1970s witnessed repeated failed attempts to raise enough money to renovate and expand large portions of the zoo, though a new entrance plaza and administrative office were constructed in 1979.

In April 2005, the $15 million Junior League of Birmingham-Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo was completed but would later see additions with other new funding. It featured the Alabama Wild exhibit featuring otters, snakes, a stream with native fish, and a seasonal butterfly garden as well as the Alabama Barn exhibit housing animals commonly seen on Alabama farms. The centerpiece of the zoo was finished in 2010 with the opening of the Trails of Africa exhibit, which is designed to look like an African savannah and includes rhinos, hippos, and giraffes. Notably, it is the home of the only all-male African elephant herd in a U.S. zoo and provides these animals a more natural bonding environment, according to zoo officials. Other exhibits that were either renovated or newly constructed included the Kiwanis Giraffe Encounter in 2012 and the Barbara Ingalls Shook Black Bear Trail in 2015.

In the following decade, the Birmingham Zoo undertook its “Renew the Zoo Capital Campaign,” which includes three major phases of renovation and construction. The first was completed with the opening of Henley Park Event Lawn in 2017. The second was in June 2019 with the new Front Entrance Complex that includes a new entrance, large gift shop, membership office, Hugh Kaul Plaza, Altec/Styslinger Learning Center, sensory room, first-aid station, new rest rooms, administration offices, and event rental spaces. Phase 3 involves the renovation of the existing Predator Building, which will highlight Asian species such as the Malayan tiger, Komodo dragon, Sumatran orangutans, red pandas, and more.

The Birmingham Zoo is open every day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tickets are $16 for adults, $11 for children ages 2-12, and $14 for Senior Citizens and Active Duty Military. It is located next to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens .

External Links

Joshua Shiver Auburn University

Last Updated

• Share on Facebook
• Send via Email

Related Articles

AmSouth Bancorporation

From its incorporation in 1972 until 2006, when it was taken over by Regions Financial Corporation, AmSouth Bancorporation was one of Alabama's largest and most prosperous financial institutions. The bank that would become AmSouth went through several incarnations in the Birmingham area before taking on its modern name. In the…

Jeremiah Clemens

Jeremiah Clemens (1814-1865) was a politician, soldier, author, and delegate for Madison County to Alabama's secession convention, where he played a major, albeit unsuccessful, role in the effort to forestall immediate secession. Though he opposed the measure, he supported Alabama once the state seceded. When Union soldiers occupied north Alabama…

Fayette Art Museum and Civic Center

The Fayette Art Museum and Civic Center is a local community event center located in Fayette, Fayette County. It houses a large collection of art created by Alabama-born artists and also hosts the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame.The Fayette City Council and Fayette newspaperman Jack Black founded the museum…

Paul "Bear" Bryant

Paul "Bear" Bryant (1913-1983) is considered the world's greatest college football coach and remains one of the most successful coaches in history. His ability to connect with and motivate players created winning programs at several schools. Bryant is best known, however, for his tenure at the University of Alabama, where…

Share this Article

• The password must be at least 12 characters in length and must contain at least one numeric, one special character (such as $, #, %, *) and one lowercase letter or one uppercase letter.
• The password cannot contain your name(s), username or organisation name in any text direction.

General Admission

Wednesday july 8, 9:00 am  –  4:30 pm.

Tickets are required  for a ll guests and Zoo Members whether purchased online or at the gate

• Tickets may take up to thirty (30) minutes to be delivered to inbox.
• Last entry into the Zoo stops one (1) hour before closing.

Member Tickets  Zoo Members receive  free admission into the Zoo and can reserve their ticket(s) online before visiting.

• Once signed in, add the member-type ticket you need (Member Adult/Member Child).
• Please Note:   Only add the number of member-type tickets to your order based on how many people are on your membership.   You may also purchase up to six (6) discounted non-member tickets for guests with your 25% Member discount. 
• Proceed to checkout, and the sum will discount to zero ($0) at order preview before you confirm and enter your credit card information.
• Please contact  [email protected]   if you do not see your discounts or are prompted to enter credit card information on a members-only order.
• Purchase or renew a Zoo Membership   HERE

Rides & Animal Encounter   ticket information - click HERE

Admission tickets are non-refundable but are date-transferable up to one year after the purchase date. Zoo Discounts  cannot be combined with any additional coupons, specials, or offers.  Reciprocal Zoo discounts are available onsite at the ticket booth. With proper ID Military, First Responder, and College Student discounts available with onsite ticket purchase only.

• Daily Activities
• Become A Member
• Buy Tickets
• Buy Tickets Online
• Behind-the-Scenes Encounters & Experiences
• Accessibility
• Zoo Restaurants
• Online Gift Shop
• Book Your Group Visit
• Group Reservation Entries
• Proud Corporate Partners
• Upcoming Events
• List of 2024 Events
• Host an Event
• Birthday Parties
• Corporate Partnership
• Planned Giving
• Animals Available for Adoption
• Adopt Today
• Adult Volunteers
• Teen Volunteer Opportunities
• Community/Scout Volunteers
• Special Events Volunteers
• Animal Tracks Magazine
• Animal List
• Animal News
• Survival Plans
• Passion into Conservation Action (PiCA) Program
• Elephant Conservation
• Solar Project
• Participation in the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
• Conservation Apps
• Bee A Pollinator Hero
• Education Events
• Homeschool at the Zoo
• Scout Patch Programs
• College Programs
• Twilight Tours
• Accessibility for Students
• About Employment
• Current Positions
• Application for Employment
• Board Portal
• 2024 Junior Board
• Senior Management
• USDA – APHIS Reports
• Annual Reports
• Subscribe to Enews
• Media Information & Contact
• Connect With Us
• Today's Regular Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

« All Events

• This event has passed.

November 17, 2023 @ 5:00 pm - January 15, 2024 @ 9:00 pm

Event navigation.

• Google Calendar
• Outlook 365
• Outlook Live

Inspiring passion to conserve the natural world...

@ Copyright 2024 Birmingham Zoo

2630 Cahaba Road Birmingham, AL 35223

Developed by Kinetic

• Visitor Info
• Online Store
• Privacy Policy

March 20, 2024

January 30, 2024

September 11, 2023

September 1, 2023

The Birmingham Zoo is an independent, not for profit, 501 (c) (3) organization.

Safari Drive-Thru

View wild animals from the comfort of your own vehicle in the most natural environment possible!

Take a drive on the wild side! In the safari, you'll be able to see animals roam naturally over 350 acres.

The animals are free to run, play, jump, frolic, and swim as they wish! Drive your vehicle over three miles of maintained gravel road and feed the animals through your windows! But don't be in a hurry. The animals often block your path...or lay flat-out in the sun...the choice is theirs! If you miss any animals or want to take a snack break, make another drive-through. You can Safari Again on the same day as your visit.

Not only are our animals free to roam, but they follow their instincts. You'll see the animals as you've never seen them before. You'll see males spar and challenge each other for the attention of the females. You may see mothers and babies. Sometimes visitors are lucky enough to observe a birth in progress and watch as the baby takes its first steps!

Animal Interaction Is the Focus

We encourage interaction by allowing visitors to feed the animals with our specialty grain mixture. Our staff is dedicated to helping guests appreciate our animals in the beautiful and natural setting of Alabama.

The experience of having a huge camel or deer only inches away, feeding from your bucket, is virtually impossible to describe. This unique animal encounter park appeals to all ages and is quickly becoming one of the region's top attractions.

Come see why people keep returning again and again – and bringing their friends!

2024 Park Hours

January 1 - February 28, 2024 - Open Daily 9AM - 4PM (Last admission 3 PM)

March 1 - October 31, 2024 - Open Daily 9AM - 5PM (Last admission 4 PM)

November 1 - December 31, 2024 - Open Daily 9AM - 4PM (Last admission 3 PM)

Open 363 Days a Year! * * Closed Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024 and Christmas Day, December 25, 2024.

Feed the Camels

You may also like.

Giraffe Tower

Village Walk-Thru

Animal Feeding

Animal Encounters

• Anniston/Gadsden

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey meets ‘Miss Kay,’ a llama named after her, despite PETA’s urging she forgo visit

• Updated: Apr. 09, 2024, 10:06 a.m. |
• Published: Apr. 09, 2024, 8:23 a.m.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey meets "Miss Kay" a llama named after her at the Alabama Safari Park in Hope Hull, Ala. The governor visited the park on Monday, April 8, 2024, despite an urging from PETA for her not to do so. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey

• John Sharp | [email protected]

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey visited a drive-thru safari south of Montgomery on Monday to meet several animals including her namesake, “Miss Kay,” a llama.

One of the oldest animal rights advocates in the country was hoping she reconsidered.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), in a letter to Ivey on Friday, asked the governor to cancel her visit to the Alabama Safari Park in Hope Hull.

Gina Maiola, a spokeswoman for Ivey, in a response said, “We don’t take advice from PETA.” The visit went on as planned.

The letter was sent to Ivey and accused the park’s ownership of operating roadside zoos around the nation that have been cited multiple times by federal authorities for a lack of basic animal care.

It also highlighted an inspection report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that lists several “critical” violations for handling animals at the Alabama park, a 350-acre outdoor venue that features a three-mile road where visitors can drive through, feed and see exotic animals as they roam free without traditional barriers found at most zoos.

According to the USDA’s 2023 report, “multiple animals were found deceased due to trauma or predation” including two llamas.

A female llama was found dead on Sept. 20, 2022, with the cause of death labeled as “other,” according to the report. The report says that during its investigation, the park’s assistant director said a field necropsy of the animal showed it died due to “extensive bleeding in the chest cavity caused by trauma.” The report says there were no records from the field necropsy.

A male llama was founded dead on Jan. 13, 2023, with its cause of death attributed to trauma. The animal had received extensive medical care prior to its death, the report says.

Alabama Safari Park in Hope Hull, Ala. Alabama Safari Park

The USDA, in its report, urged the safari park to ensure that animals are handled “as expeditiously and carefully as possible in a manner that does not cause trauma, overheating, excessive cooling, behavioral stress, physical harm, or unnecessary discomfort.”

“Drive-thru roadside zoos, such as … Alabama Safari Park, often fail to properly monitor or provide appropriate veterinary care for the large number of animal exploited for profit at these facilities,” wrote Michelle Sinnott, director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement with PETA, to Ivey. “As Alabama’s governor, it’s crucial that you set an example for the state’s citizens by choosing to avoid roadside zoos.”

The letter to Ivey also cites a 2015 complaint filed by the USDA that details violations over a five-year span at multiple venues similar to the Alabama Safari Park. The parks are owned by Zoofari Parks and its CEO Eric Mogensen, who has over 50 years in the industry. Parks are also in Natural Bridge, Va.; Kaufman/Terrell, Texas; and Gulf Breeze, Fla.

Mogensen was assessed a $100,000 civil penalty to settle that case with the USDA, according to the PETA letter. Mogensen could not be reached Monday for comment.

Mogensen has been a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1983, according to the Alabama Safari Parks website . But PETA points out that the safari park is not accredited. The only accredited zoo in Alabama is the Birmingham Zoo, according to the organization’s website.

Get up close and personal with some wild animals at Alabama Safari Park. Brent Conklin, [email protected]

Ivey’s visit, and PETA’s letter, come less than a year after Harmony Park in New Hope – a drive-thru zoo similar to the Alabama Safari Park, located near Huntsville – abruptly closed after 30 years of business.

The closure occurred in May 2023, with little information on where the zoos animals were re-located.

The USDA had to step in and enforce regulations at that park a few years ago after a kangaroo at the park bit a 9-year-old girl, with the incident caught on video . The girl’s injuries required 14 stitches. The agency then ordered the park build a new barrier around the giraffe enclosure.

Similar concerns about a lack of giraffe enclosures exist at the Hope Hull park. According to the USDA’s report from August 2023, the kangaroo exhibit “does not have an adequate public barrier to protect the animals and the public.”

PETA, founded in 1980, has long been a watchdog group for animal health concerns at roadside zoos. Their antics have also been criticized by all sides – many believing them to extremists who seek attention by wearing elaborate costumes to draw attention to their causes during public protests.

But PETA has also led numerous reforms including the ending of animals in automobile crash tests, closing the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus, and exposing thousands of instances of animal cruelty across the world, according to a History Channel write-up.

This story was updated at 10 a.m. on April 9, 2024, to clarify the accreditation of the Alabama Safari Park.

PST Inspection Report Virginia Safari Park by John Sharp on Scribd

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.