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.