Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is very real. We have been working very diligently for several years with different local officials, local groups, and other zoos.
As many of you have said, "A zoo is what Huntsville has been missing." At times we will need your help. The society is managing the creation and operation of the zoo, but it is really meant to be the community's zoo and something the community can be proud of.
As best we can research, the last new zoo built from scratch was 20 years ago and that was Disney's Animal Kingdom. (For those that suddenly got hopeful about the possibility of a theme park - sorry we are only building a zoo and aquarium.) There have been a few established zoos moving to a new location, drive through safari parks, and sanctuaries built in those years. Building a new zoo from scratch has some unique challenges comparably. Because this doesn't happen very often, we have recieve a lot of support from the zoo community wanting to be involved in a once in lifetime event.
Most zoos are managed and operated by a nonprofit. North Alabama Zoological Society is a 501(c)(3) registered State of Alabama nonprofit corporation created to be the nonprofit for the combination zoo and aquarium in Greater Huntsville Metro Area.
The Society currently has a membership program and you can find more information about it here: www.nalzs.org/membership. However, the membership program for the zoo and aquarium when it opens will have different benefits relating to the attendance to the zoological park. It has not yet been determined if the current program will change into the zoo and aquarium membership program or continue as a donors’ recognition program currently in place. Regardless, if they choose, members of the Society will be able to convert their memberships to the zoo and aquarium membership when the time comes and will be able to keep their “member since” date.
The zoo and aquarium presently does not have a name. For project purposes, we call it the North Alabama Zoo. We are excited to have the community help pick the name. Watch for that announcement to come.
Remember that if it doesn't say "A Zoo For You, North Alabama", then North Alabama, its not a zoo for you.
Wouldn't it be fun to say... "Lions, and tiger, and Bears, OH MY!" Truthfully, we don't have an answer to that question yet. We will say that there are plans for raccoons to be in our Alabama Wildlife Exhibit. Keep the suggestions coming. We love hearing about your great ideas, and check back for updates!
We appreciate all those who have expressed their concerns for the welfare of the animals that will be housed at the zoo. We truly share those concerns as well. One of the reasons we started this venture was the desire to help animals and be a center where our community members, who share that same desire, can combine resources to make a difference. These animals are ambassadors for their species and natural habitats. We feel a great responsibility and respect for every living entity that comes through the gates of the zoo. We are working towards being an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). The model, standards and best practices set by the AZA will be our baseline day one of the zoo. We will strive to go beyond the AZA model to provide the utmost care, conservation, and education. To understand more about how AZA Zoos and Aquariums work to protect and care for animals, we encourage you to visit: animal care management
Specifically, we plan to obtain our animals mostly from other zoological facilities. Some will be rescues. Every effort will be made to return animals that come to us from the wild back to the wild. If the animal cannot return to the wild, we will work to find a home that is in the best interest of the animal.