Montgomery Zoo, Wildlife park in Montgomery, Alabama, United States.
Montgomery Zoo covers 40 acres on the north side of Montgomery, Alabama, and holds about 750 animals of 140 species. Its grounds are divided into five continental realms: Africa, Australia, Asia, North America and South America. The African Savanna Elephant habitat, opened in 2005, includes waterfalls and a large pool, while the South America realm preserves the oldest section, opened in 1972.
The Montgomery Zoo opened in 1920 as a children's menagerie in Oak Park, holding alligators, monkeys and bears, with a small train and carousel. It closed between 1960 and 1971 over racial tensions and an unwillingness to integrate. In 1972 it reopened at its present north Montgomery site with six acres, a petting zoo, a flight cage modelled on the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, and a chimpanzee named Benji. Ground was broken in 1989 and the expanded 40-acre zoo, divided into five continental realms, opened in 1991.
Zoo Weekend, held every year since its start as Zoo Day in 1976, brings as many as 18,000 guests to the grounds. The Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, opened in January 2003, shows taxidermy displays centred on native wildlife, game species and wildlife management. Indian peafowl walk freely among visitors.
The grounds are navigable on foot, though comfortable walking shoes are recommended as there is considerable distance to cover between exhibits. Bring water and sun protection, especially during warmer months when heat can be intense.
The first Indian rhinoceros ever born by artificial insemination was born here on June 5, 2013. The zoo's first rhino calf, a male, had arrived on October 1, 2007. The African elephants' waterfall-lined pool and barn sit beside the giraffe feeding post at the Overlook Cafe.
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