Behind the Scenes: Elephants

Come walk on the wild side at the Birmingham Zoo with our Behind the Scenes Encounters!
On these unique experiences, you’ll get an insider’s look at how the Zoo cares for our animals. Encounters are led by a Zoo educator and include a tour of behind-the-scenes animal areas, time with our expert animal care professionals, and a special opportunity to meet animals up close.


REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration is per person. Encounters accommodate up to 8 people in each date/time. Encounters are not private experiences. If you would like to book a private encounter, please email Education@birminghamzoo.com for pricing and availability.

Online ticket sales end 48 hours in advance of each tour date. Members purchasing tours will receive 25% discount on tour registrations. Members must select “member rate” and be logged to receive discounted rates. Anyone not covered by a current membership (i.e. tour reservations purchased by non-members or by members as gifts or for additional individuals not on their membership) must purchase registration + general admission options.

Members:

  • BTS Encounter Member Rate - $60
  • BTS Encounter Member Rate + Adult General Admission: $74.96 ($60 + $14.96)
  • BTS Encounter Member Rate + Senior General Admission: $72.71 ($60 + $12.71)
  • BTS Encounter Non-Member Rate + Child General Admission: $71.21 ($60 + $11.21)

Non-members:

  • BTS Encounter Non-Member Rate + Adult General Admission: $99.95 ($80 + $19.95)
  • BTS Encounter Non-Member Rate Senior General Admission: $96.95 ($80 + $16.95)
  • BTS Encounter Non-Member Rate + Child General Admission: $94.95 ($80 + $14.95)

 

POLICIES & RULES

  • AGE: Guests 5 years old and older are welcome on most Encounters. Additional age restrictions are noted in each experience description, if applicable. Guests 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. 
  • ACCESSIBILITY: All Behind the Scenes Encounters enter working areas of the Zoo that may not be wheelchair accessible. Service animals are not permitted to enter behind the scenes areas or animal habitats. Modifications for accessibility can be accommodated. Please contact us with accommodation requests at least 48 hours prior to your program to help us build the best possible experience.
  • SAFETY: For the safety of our staff and animals, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes in animal areas.
  • CANCELLATION: Behind the Scenes Encounter purchases are non-refundable. Requests to reschedule experiences must be received at least 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability. Encounters missed without prior notification will not be rescheduled. Any program involving animals is subject to change or cancellation by the Zoo based on animal or human safety considerations, including severe weather. Every effort will be made to offer alternate areas or reschedule tours. 
  • WAIVER: All participants must complete a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Parent/guardian signatures will be required for all participants 18 and under.
  • CONDUCT: Participants will enter working areas of the Zoo and be in close proximity to Zoo animals. Participants must follow instructions from Zoo staff at all times. Participants who are disruptive and/or do not follow staff instructions may be removed from the encounter without a refund.  

Ride Tickets

 

Enjoy one (1) ride on the Protective Life Carousel or Red Diamond Express Train!

Rides are open and operating Wednesday through Sunday from 10am until 3pm, weather permitting.

  • Ride tickets are for daytime operation only and are not valid for special events.
  • One ticket per person per ride, ages 2 years and up.
  • Children under 2 years old must be accompanied by a paying adult on the train and carousel.
  • Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a paying adult chaperone on the train.
  • Full Moon Wild Slide and Splash Pads are CLOSED
  • Last Ride time is fifteen (15) minutes before the Zoo closes

PLEASE NOTE  Ride tickets are non-refundable but are date-transferable up to one year after purchase date. Zoo Discounts for rides cannot be combined with any additional coupons, specials, or offers.

 

General Admission

 

 

Tickets are required for all guests and Zoo Members whether purchased online or at the gate

 

    • Tickets may take up to thirty (30) minutes to be delivered to inbox.
    • Last entry into the Zoo stops one (1) hour before closing.

Member Tickets Zoo Members receive free admission into the Zoo and can reserve their ticket(s) online before visiting.

  • Sign-in at the top-right of the ticketing page to access and reserve ticket(s)
    • Once signed in, add the member-type ticket you need (Member Adult/Member Child).
    • Please Note: Only add the number of member-type tickets to your order based on how many people are on your membership. You may also purchase up to six (6) discounted non-member tickets for guests with your 25% Member discount. 
    • Proceed to checkout, and the sum will discount to zero ($0) at order preview before you confirm and enter your credit card information.
    • Please contact membership@birminghamzoo.com if you do not see your discounts or are prompted to enter credit card information on a members-only order.
  • Purchase or renew a Zoo Membership HERE

 

Rides & Animal Encounter ticket information - click HERE

 

Admission tickets are non-refundable but are date-transferable up to one year after the purchase date. Zoo Discounts cannot be combined with any additional coupons, specials, or offers. Reciprocal Zoo discounts are available onsite at the ticket booth. With proper ID Military, First Responder, and College Student discounts available with onsite ticket purchase only.

 

'Tails in the Trails

Zoo Snooze

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

 

Online registration ends 72 hours in advance of each Zoo Snooze program.  Members must select “member rate” and be logged to receive discounted rates. Registration includes space outdoors for sleeping,* tour and education activities, breakfast, and admission to the Zoo on the second day of the Snooze. Participants will have access to public restrooms throughout the program.

*Tents, sleeping bags, etc. are not provided.  A limited number of tents are available to rent for a fee and must be booked at the time of registration.

·         Zoo Snooze Member Rate – $65

·         Zoo Snooze Non-Member Rate -$85

 
         

 


POLICIES & RULES

·         AGE: Guests 5 years old and older are welcome at Zoo Snooze programs. Children younger than five years old are not permitted unless prior written approval has been given by the Birmingham Zoo Education Department.

·         ACCESSIBILITY: Some of our programs enter areas of the Zoo that may not be wheelchair accessible. Modifications for accessibility can be accommodated. Please contact us with accommodation requests at least 48 hours prior to your program to help us build the best possible experience.

·         CANCELLATION: Program registration fees are non-refundable. Requests to reschedule experiences must be received at least two weeks in advance and are subject to availability. Programs missed without prior notification will not be rescheduled. Any program involving animals is subject to change or cancellation by the Zoo based on animal or human safety considerations, including severe weather. Every effort will be made to offer alternate areas or reschedule programs.

·         WAIVER: All participants must complete a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Parent/guardian signatures will be required for all participants 18 and under.

·         CONDUCT: Participants may working areas of the Zoo and be in close proximity to Zoo animals. Participants must follow instructions from Zoo staff at all times. Participants who are disruptive and/or do not follow staff instructions may be removed from the program without a refund.

Twilight Tour

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration is per person. Twilight Tours accommodate up to 24 people in each date/time. Tours are not private experiences. If you would like to book a private encounter, please email Education@birminghamzoo.com for pricing and availability.

Online ticket sales end 48 hours in advance of each tour date.  Members must select “member rate” and be logged to receive discounted rate. 

 
         
  •  Twilight Tour Member Rate: $30
  •  Twilight Tour Non-Member Rate: $35

POLICIES & RULES

  • AGE: Guests 5 years old and older are welcome on Twilight Tours. Children younger than five years old are not permitted unless prior written approval has been given by the Birmingham Zoo Education Department.
  • ACCESSIBILITY: Some of our programs enter areas of the Zoo that may not be wheelchair accessible. Modifications for accessibility can be accommodated. Please contact us with accommodation requests at least 48 hours prior to your program to help us build the best possible experience.
  • CANCELLATION: Program registration fees are non-refundable. Requests to reschedule experiences must be received at least two weeks in advance and are subject to availability. Programs missed without prior notification will not be rescheduled. Any program involving animals is subject to change or cancellation by the Zoo based on animal or human safety considerations, including severe weather. Every effort will be made to offer alternate areas or reschedule programs.
  • WAIVER: All participants must complete a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Parent/guardian signatures will be required for all participants 18 and under.
  • CONDUCT: Participants may working areas of the Zoo and be in close proximity to Zoo animals. Participants must follow instructions from Zoo staff at all times. Participants who are disruptive and/or do not follow staff instructions may be removed from the program without a refund.

Volunteer Orientation

Fee covers the cost of Volunteer Background Check, Polo, Name Badge, and Required Trainings

 

*$75 rate only for Interpretation & Learning Volunteers

Volunteer T-Shirt

This is the payment link for our Gildan Softstyle Birmingham Zoo Volunteer Uniform T-Shirt (one is included with onboarding fees). Only active volunteers are eligible to purchase.

Please follow up by emailing volunteers@birminghamzoo.com with your preferred shirt size and quantity of shirts ordered.  

Zoo Brews

Mark your calendar and join the Birmingham Zoo for Zoo Brews on Saturday, June 8 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.! Experience breweries from all over Alabama and the southeast while you travel through the Zoo. Perfect for adults 21 and up, this event is a signature favorite! Attendees will delight in tasty selections from local food truck vendors . The Zoo's Nourish 205 restaurant and the Flamingo Cart on Henley Lawn will be serving full-size beer and wine - all for an additional charge. Whether a Zoo Brews fan or new to the event, we can't wait to see you for a fun evening at the Zoo!

Per ABC regulations, Zoo Brews will operate with a “Penny-A-Pour” system! Each sample will be worth one penny. Guests will drop their penny into a bucket at each booth in order to receive a sample. If you don’t have pennies lying around, we will have a penny redemption booth at each vendor station, where you can cash in larger coins for pennies! All pennies collected will be donated to our Animals Fund. Guests can purchase full-size beer and wine for an additional cost at Nourish 205 or Flamingo Cart on Henley Lawn.

INCLUDED:

  • Beer stein souvenir cup for samples - for GA tickets only
  • Soda souvenir cup - for DD tickets only
  • Small snack item - for all ticket types

FOOD & BEVERAGE

  • Food trucks will be onsite serving food for additional purchase
  • Nourish 205 and Flamingo Cart on Henley Lawn will be open and serving full-size beer and wine for an additional purchase

PRICING *Per Person & Plus Tax

We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance but we will also be selling tickets on-site the night of the event. Adults only. Must be age 21 and up

Early Bird Pricing *Ends April 26

  • Early Bird General Admission | $45
  • Early Bird Designated Driver (driver must be 21+ and show ID to gain admission) | $15

General Pricing *Goes through June 8

  • General Admission | $50
  • Designated Driver (driver must be 21+ and show ID to gain admission) | $20

*PLEASE NOTE:

  • Adults-only, all guests MUST be 21+, no exceptions.
  • No children will be allowed into the event, including infants.
  • ID is required, no admittance without ID, and no refunds for no ID.
  • All purchases are final.
  • Ticket refunds will not be issued.

 

 

Docent Polo

Drink Ticket Pre-Sale

Private Group Zoo Snooze

REGISTRATION INFORMATION 

Registration is per person. Zoo Snoozes accommodate up to 60 people. Please, email Education@birminghamzoo.com for pricing and availability.

Online registration ends 72 hours in advance of each Zoo Snooze program. Registration includes space outdoors for sleeping,* tour and education activities, breakfast, and admission to the Zoo on the second day of the Snooze. Participants will have access to public restrooms throughout the program.

*Tents, sleeping bags, etc. are not provided.  A limited number of tents are available to rent for a fee and must be booked at the time of registration.

  • Zoo Snooze Group Rate – $65 per person*

     


POLICIES & RULES

  • ACCESSIBILITY:Some of our programs enter areas of the Zoo that may not be wheelchair accessible. Modifications for accessibility can be accommodated. Please contact us with accommodation requests at least 48 hours prior to your program to help us build the best possible experience.
  • CANCELLATION:Program registration fees are non-refundable. Requests to reschedule experiences must be received at least two weeks in advance and are subject to availability. Programs missed without prior notification will not be rescheduled. Any program involving animals is subject to change or cancellation by the Zoo based on animal or human safety considerations, including severe weather. Every effort will be made to offer alternate areas or reschedule programs.
  • WAIVER: All participants must complete a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Parent/guardian signatures will be required for all participants 18 and under.
  • CONDUCT: Participants may working areas of the Zoo and be in close proximity to Zoo animals. Participants must follow instructions from Zoo staff at all times. Participants who are disruptive and/or do not follow staff instructions may be removed from the program without a refund.

Questions and Reservations

If you have questions about our Zoo Snooze program, our Education Department is here to help!

Please contact us at 205-909-4558 or by email at education@birminghamzoo.com

Private Groups Twilight Tour

EGISTRATION INFORMATION

Registration is per person. Online ticket sales end 48 hours in advance of each tour date.  

  •  Twilight Tour Group Rate: $30

POLICIES & RULES

  • ACCESSIBILITY: Some of our programs enter areas of the Zoo that may not be wheelchair accessible. Modifications for accessibility can be accommodated. Please contact us with accommodation requests at least 48 hours prior to your program to help us build the best possible experience.
  • CANCELLATION: Program registration fees are non-refundable. Requests to reschedule experiences must be received at least two weeks in advance and are subject to availability. Programs missed without prior notification will not be rescheduled. Any program involving animals is subject to change or cancellation by the Zoo based on animal or human safety considerations, including severe weather. Every effort will be made to offer alternate areas or reschedule programs.
  • WAIVER: All participants must complete a liability waiver prior to the encounter. Parent/guardian signatures will be required for all participants 18 and under.
  • CONDUCT: Participants may working areas of the Zoo and be in close proximity to Zoo animals. Participants must follow instructions from Zoo staff at all times. Participants who are disruptive and/or do not follow staff instructions may be removed from the program without a refund.

Questions and Reservations

If you have questions about our Twilight Tours, our Education Department is here to help!

Please contact us at 205-909-4558 or by email at education@birminghamzoo.com

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