The Birmingham Zoo Opens the All-New Barbara Ingalls Shook Black Bear Trail

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Birmingham Zoo is set to open the new Barbara Ingalls Shook Black Bear Trail, an all-new exhibit contributing to animal conservation and welfare that was made possible through a lead gift from the Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation. This exhibit will officially open to Zoo Members on Thursday, August 6 at 10am and to the public on Saturday, August 8 at 12pm. The new Barbara Ingalls Shook Black Bear Trail, located in the Alabama Wilds area of the Junior League of Birmingham – Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo and spanning nearly an acre, is an interactive and educational exhibit that will feature two distinct habitats for the Zoo’s rescued North American black bears, Bety and Sassy. The exhibit will transport visitors from Grandma’s backyard in rural Alabama to the wilds of Alabama. The “backyard” habitat will demonstrate how humans can share the same environment with native wildlife. In the “wild” habitat, the bears may be seen foraging under the trees, ripping apart logs or lounging in a stream. This new exhibit will aim to encourage humans to be good stewards for bears and their environment. The exhibit will educate visitors and the bears will serve in the role to save their counterparts in the wild. “We want Zoo guests to experience what would happen if they leave food sources in their backyard to attract bears, and what they can do to coexist with bears, whose numbers are increasing in Alabama,” says Dr. William Foster, President & CEO.

“We are thankful to the Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation and the countless others who have made this new exhibit a reality and for their contribution to conservation. We are excited for the guests to visit and learn about North American black bears. This exhibit will continue to help drive the Zoo toward its mission of Inspiring Passion for the Natural World,” says Dr. Foster. “The Zoo is no longer just about seeing animals or providing field trips for schoolchildren, it is about conservation and research of threatened animals in the wild and the challenges they face. We hope that this educational exhibit will provide the story of how we can all make a positive difference,” he adds.

The Zoo would like to thank The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Hill Crest Foundation, the Birmingham Zoo Junior Board, Timken Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Pappas and IBERIABANK for their contributions to the new Barbara Ingalls Shook Black Bear Trail. There is no additional cost to visit the Barbara Ingalls Shook Black Bear Trail.

For the press release, click here.