BIRMINGHAM ZOO NAMED ALABAMA’S ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR FOR 2026

Award recognizes Zoo’s leadership in conservation, tourism, and community engagement

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham Zoo has been named Alabama’s Attraction of the Year for 2026 by the Alabama Tourism Department, recognizing a remarkable year in which conservation leadership and tourism growth went hand in hand. The honor was presented during the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the Renaissance Shoals Hotel in Florence, Alabama.

“The Birmingham Zoo represents the very best of Alabama hospitality by bringing people together through education, conservation, and unforgettable family experiences,” said Lee Sentel, Director of Alabama Tourism. “Being named Attraction of the Year is a testament to the dedicated staff and supporters who continue to make the Zoo a destination that visitors return to year after year.”

During its milestone 70th anniversary celebration in 2025, the Birmingham Zoo welcomed more than 502,000 visitors, reinforcing its position as one of Alabama’s premier family attractions and a significant economic driver for the region. As the only Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoo in Alabama, the Birmingham Zoo continues to connect unforgettable guest experiences with meaningful conservation impact. That enthusiasm has carried over into 2026.

“We’re truly honored to be recognized as Alabama’s Attraction of the Year in a state that offers visitors so many incredible experiences—from our beautiful Gulf Coast to the inspiring space attractions in Huntsville and countless destinations across Alabama,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. “To be included among the very best is incredibly meaningful to all of us. This recognition belongs to our dedicated team, more than 400 amazing animals from around the globe, our members, our volunteers, and every guest who chooses to spend a day at the Zoo. Together, we’re creating memorable experiences while inspiring people to care for wildlife and the natural world.”

One of the Zoo’s most celebrated accomplishments over the last year was the opening of Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing, home to two rescued cougar cubs and a pair of orphaned bobcats. These cougars and bobcats quickly became guest favorites while serving as powerful ambassadors for wildlife conservation and responsible stewardship of native species.

Beyond tourism, the Birmingham Zoo continued advancing its mission of inspiring passion to conserve the natural world. In 2025, the Zoo welcomed 85 new animals, expanded educational programming, strengthened conservation initiatives, and enhanced accessibility through its partnership with KultureCity, making the Zoo experience more inclusive for guests of all abilities.

“By creating engaging experiences, we’re inspiring people to care about wildlife while also supporting Alabama’s $24.9 billion tourism economy,” Pfefferkorn added. “This recognition is a win for our community, our visitors, and especially for the incredible animals in our care. We have continued that momentum in 2026 with the addition of new animal experiences and the launch of Dino Safari, which has proven to be extremely popular with our guests. Visitors can look forward to even more exciting experiences throughout the year including a new axolotl habitat opening to the public on July 22.”

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COMING SOON: Axolotl Habitat opens to the public on Wednesday, July 22. Media ribbon cutting on Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m.  

MEDIA CONTACT 

Bill Lang – Director, Marketing & Events; [email protected]; 205.218.3561.

SOCIAL MEDIA – Facebook @BirminghamZoo; Instagram @bhamzoo

www.birminghamzoo.com I 2630 Cahaba Road I Birmingham, AL 35223

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THE BIRMINGHAM ZOO MISSION Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World.