Birmingham Zoo Opens Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation Primate Trek

The Birmingham Zoo is pleased to announce the public opening of the Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation Primate Trek on March 25, 2023.

The Shook Foundation has been a long-time supporter of your Zoo including funding for the Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation North American Black Bear habitat and more.

This exciting new addition to the Primates/South America building provides the Zoo’s resident De Brazza’s monkeys access to a new outdoor habitat that stands free of the main building. In addition to more space for the animals, this new habitat has increased access for Animal Care Professionals to interact with them, providing feeding and training opportunities that guests will be able to see for the first time.

According to Danielle Williams, Zoological Manager of South America/Primates, “The open-air habitat allows the De Brazza’s monkeys to have a whole new view of the Zoo and its visitors as they move around the viewing path. They will also get a visual perspective of the other animals adjacent to them that they have never had, which will be very visually enriching every day.”

The habitat has been designed for flexibility and with future expansion in mind, with overhead tunnels that can connect to the other indoor habitats. This would allow for other species to use this space or even add additional outdoor habitats in the future.

“We could not be more thankful for the generous donation by the Shook Foundation and their continued support of your Zoo,” says Hollie Colahan, Birmingham Zoo’s Deputy Director. “Work on this project began before the pandemic so we are thrilled to have a new habitat to share with our guests and see our primates enjoying this new outdoor space.”

Zoo visitors are invited to visit the new Shook Foundation Primate Trek during Zoo open hours.

View Birmingham Zoo Announces Barbara Ingalls Shook Foundation Primate Trek HERE!