Anyone been to see the Trails of Africa? » Birmingham Zoo (Alabama)

Anyone been to see the Trails of Africa?
23-02-2012

I've been 6-7 times in a year but I would like an outside opinion. I can look at it until I am blue in the face but I want a different viewpoint. I think it is better than Atlanta straight up and is a better overall exhibit than Nashville.

For an update they are now integrating Hippos, Rhinos, Elephants, and Giraffe in the main paddock together in different situations. Apparently though we lost our Kudu Dr. Foster said they were working on a surprise large. hoofstock species that are cast offs from another zoo (a few Roan Antelope would be cool)

24-02-2012

I visited the Birmingham Zoo last June and I was quite impressed with the new exhibit. There was only one elephant out when I was there, but the size of the exhibit was definitely bigger than any other elephant exhibit I have seen recently. I visit Zoo Atlanta quite often and I would definitely say that Birmingham's elephant exhibit is better than Atlanta's. I have also visited the zoo in Nashville, but it has been several years, so I'm not sure how the two exhibits compare. Are they exhibiting other animals with the elephants, or are they rotating the different species out?

I grew up in Birmingham and remember going to the zoo there several times as a child. A lot of what I remember is no longer there, including the bear grottos and the monkey island, but some of it is still as I remember. There is definitely a lot of room for improvement, but hopefully the Trails of Africa exhibit is a step in the right direction. I visit family in Birmingham several times a year, so hopefully I will be able to visit the zoo again soon.

With regard to the new antelope species, it is possible that they are referring to Atlanta's waterbucks. Zoo Atlanta has three waterbucks (including one that was born about a year and a half ago) that are sporadically exhibited in the mixed species savannah exhibit. The male, however, is almost never exhibited, apparently because he does not get along well with either the giraffes or zebras. I have read on the website that once the young waterbuck is older, the Zoo will send the waterbucks to another zoo and bring in a more agreeable antelope species.

25-02-2012

Trails is a better Elephant exhibit than Atlanta and it is a better overall exhibit than Nashville if that makes sense.

The three elephants (Bulwalgi, Callee, and Ajani) have integrated well together.

They have also had success putting Tadpole the Hippo on the main exhibit (though he was scared at first).

They are now comfortable putting the two female White Rhino's in the Trails (especially since they are redoing their barn) and they even put them on there with Callee and Ajani (the younger elephants)

Right now they are 75 percent done with "Phase 2". This will allow for a corral like fence that can be ran across the visitor path allowing the Giraffes and other hoofstock (Ostrich, Zebra, Grant's Gazelle, Red River Hog, the Kudu if they do return and the new species to rotate onto the main habitat.) Waterbuck is interesting, because the main exhibit does resemble a waterhole type area that they would frequent.

That definitely is the most ambitious idea seen in awhile, especially from a Zoo that lost AZA a decade ago (and got it back of course).

The next thing that needs upgrades is the Primate building.

25-02-2012

That could also be a Kudu for Waterbuck exchange. But what is weird is Matata (male kudu) is still listed by ISIS as being at Bham, though the female and one yr old baby are not.

You need to hurry to the zoo and see the five lion cubs before they are gone as well.

29-02-2012

No one else?

21-06-2012

We visited the Birmingham Zoo today and we must say Trails of Africa is the real deal.It blows recent african elephant exhibits in Cleveland and Toledo of the water and certainly gives Dallas and Nashville a run for its money.Only North Carolina stands on its own in our opinion.The only portion of the complex that is lacking is the hippo exhibit its horrible.The rhino section is ok.The giraffes are displayed in a scrub forest setting.We spoke with a senior keeper for quite awhile about and number of things.He informed us that integrating of mulptiple species is going well but its still going to be a slow process.

Team Tapir

21-06-2012

Anything about other hoofstock? Because now the antelope consist of one grant's gazelle.

21-06-2012

The Rhino's have the old Rhino and Asian Elephant exhibits. Nothing has really been done to Tadpole's exhibit other than things guests can't see (barn renovations).

22-06-2012

I have been waiting for someone to post photos of this exhibit for a long time on this forum, but I always forget to nag someone. Seems to be a resurging interest in it now. Would it be possible for someone to upload some photos soon? I have been all over America, but I have never been down south really to check out Birmingham and some of the other zoos in the humid sub-tropical zone. Hope to be able to see this one day, but some pictures would suffice for now.

22-06-2012

Team Tapir said they'd post some pics soon.

22-06-2012

The zoo rotates the elephants, rhinos, hippo into the new large enclosure.

22-06-2012

I just posted 3 shots to the gallery that I took of African Trails when I visited back in August.

23-06-2012

Fourth elephant getting acquainted at the Birmingham Zoo (video) | al.com

Tamani seems to be making himself at home. All the reports though are downplaying (to the point it hasn't even been mentioned yet) that Tamani is joining his Dad Bulwagi here in Birmingham. Do you think that is because the press are stupid or because the Zoo is downplaying that until they see how he integrates?

25-08-2012

Birmingham's five 18 month Lion Cubs have new homes. After Labor day, the two males will move to the Montgomery Zoo and the three females will move to Afri Cam Safari in Mexico.

27-08-2012

Aren't lions part of the Carnivore Building area?