Harvest Days sponsored by Lowe's of Trussville

September 16 & 23, 10 am - 2 pm
You don't have to travel far and wide to learn about animals - just head down to the farm! The third annual Down on the Farm days at the Alabama Barn will be your chance to enjoy a harvest celebration complete with music, dancers, crafts, special animal appearances and comedy routines by Bubba Jack and Sister.

Schedule of Activities:

• Build your own birdhouse at Lowe’s Kids Clinic in the Children's Zoo (throughout the day)
• Bubba Jack and Sister’s comedy routine on Grandma’s Back Porch at 11 am and 12 pm
• Cow bingo, seed spitting contest, wool spinning and beekeeper demonstrations, face painting and much more (throughout the day)!

Zoo Saddened by Llama Passing

Chief, the Zoo's male llama, passed away Monday, September 11th at the Birmingham Zoo.

The lifespan of a llama is 15 to 25 years. Chief was 16 years old and a visitor favorite at the Zoo. Preliminary results show that Chief succumbed to a sudden, severe colic reaction and was unresponsive to medical treatments.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Chief. He was a Zoo ambassador and greatly loved by our members, guests and staff,” says William R. Foster, DVM, Zoo President & CEO.

The llama is among the oldest domesticated animals in the world. It is indigenous to South America, particularly the Andes Mountains. The llama is able to tolerate high altitudes most animals cannot. Llamas have a very calm and gentle nature. They are known for being good pack animals with the ability to carry 25 to 30% of their body weight for a distance of 5 to 8 miles.