Birmingham Zoo carousel with carved animal figures including a tiger, zebra, gorilla, and donkey under a tented canopy — The Birmingham Zoo’s carousel is back home after nearly three years away for restoration. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

After nearly three years, a beloved Birmingham Zoo attraction is coming back.

The 36 wooden animals of the Birmingham Zoo’s charming carousel are finally back home following an extensive restoration that began in 2024. While an official reopening date has not yet been announced, we got a sneak peek at the ride before it reopens to the public.

A Birmingham Zoo favorite returns

Carved carousel featuring a painted zebra, lion, hippo, and elephant figures on poles — The Birmingham Zoo’s carousel features 36 hand-crafted wooden animals and two chariots. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

On Friday, October 16, Bham Now got the chance to see the fully restored carousel animals as they were being installed by the Carousel Relics team. Patty Pendleton—a longtime Zoo historian who has worked and volunteered at the Birmingham Zoo for more than 50 years—was among those who got to see the restored animals up close.

“Wow! Oh my gracious, look at the rabbit. I haven’t seen these yet. Oh, I didn’t think they’d be done for months. This is so exciting!”
Patty Pendleton, Zoo Historian, Birmingham Zoo

A woman examines a carved carousel hare figure, touching its fur alongside frog and other animal mounts — Longtime Birmingham Zoo historian Patty Pendleton examines the restored rabbit on the Birmingham Zoo carousel. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Built in 2002 by Carousel Works, the Birmingham Zoo’s Protective Carousel is a charming wooden carousel reminiscent of the historic carousel made by Dentzel, Herschell or Looff in the early 20th century.

Located in the Junior League of Birmingham–Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo section of the Birmingham Zoo, the carousel was designed specifically around the Zoo’s conservation mission, featuring 36 intricately hand-crafted wooden creatures and two chariots—each representing a threatened or endangered species.

“Usually, carousels have horses—but ours features animals, including some species that are here at the Zoo! It gives us an opportunity to teach children about endangered species and why we need to protect them.”
Patty Pendleton, Zoo Historian, Birmingham Zoo

Carved carousel rabbit figure with a blue saddle, surrounded by other animal rides on the merry-go-round — Intricate details and fresh paint bring this wooden rabbit back to life. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

According to Pendleton, the carousel became a popular fixture of the Zoo during a period of major growth. Its arrival in 2002 preceded the opening of the Junior League of Birmingham–Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo in 2005, helping establish the area as a family-friendly destination for those with young children.

“After they put the carousel here in 2002, they opened the Children’s Zoo in 2005—it had the splash pad, the Zoo barn and petting area, the Alabama Wilds area and the play and climbing areas. Best of all, it had the carousel—everybody loved it, all ages!”
Patty Pendleton, Zoo Historian, Birmingham Zoo

But after decades of exposure to the elements and normal wear and tear, the wooden figures needed significant attention.

Bringing the carousel animals back to life at the Birmingham Zoo

Dismantled animal statues lying on padded dollies outside a fenced construction area under a canopy — Restored animals awaiting their turn to be mounted back in the Birmingham Zoo’s Protective Carousel. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

In 2024, the Birmingham Zoo disassembled the carousel and transported the wooden figures to Carousel Relics, a speciality restoration company based in Ohio. According to the restoration team, each wooden animal underwent an extensive restoration process that included:

Stripping away old paint and primer to expose the bare wood beneath
Making repairs to any damaged joints or mold-damaged wood
Repainting each of the 36 wooden animals, with a protective clear coat applied to help preserve the restored finish

A carousel pig figure and disassembled metal mounting poles laid out on tarps during ride maintenance — A restored pig and carousel mounting hardware await installation. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

On October 12, the Carousel Relics team brought the fully-restored animals back to the Birmingham Zoo for the first time in nearly three years.

“To finally reach the point where all the repairs and painting are done and everything has been sealed is almost bittersweet. You spend hours upon hours working on each one, putting so much time and energy into bringing them back to life. We’re so glad the work is finished and that guests can enjoy the animals again, but you grow attached to them.”
Scott Castor, Co-Owner, Carousel Relics

Back home at the Birmingham Zoo

Carved gorilla figure on a log perched atop a carousel, among other animal carousel seats — This hand-crafted gorilla is among the 36 wooden animal figures on the carousel. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

For the more than 502,000 guests who visit the Birmingham Zoo each year, the return of the carousel means bringing back a beloved family tradition—just ask Kim Loging, a Birmingham Zoo employee and longtime fan who has been visiting the Zoo with her family since 2006. When she heard the attraction was coming back, she rediscovered years of memories captured on that very ride.

“We started talking about the carousel coming back, so I went and looked at old photos on my phone and realized I had four years of progression photos of my son, Alexander, on this carousel. He was eight months old during his first Zoo visit—I don’t think he remembers it! Finding those photos made us all really excited about the caroseul coming back—not just as an employee, but as a family.”
Kim Loging, Director of Human Resources, Birmingham Zoo

Smiling toddler in a green shirt rides a rabbit figure on a carousel — Birmingham Zoo employee Kim Loging discovered four years’ worth of photos of her son on the Birmingham Zoo’s carousel. (Kim Loging)

2017 04 15 First look: Beloved carousel back at Birmingham Zoo after nearly 3 years [PHOTOS] — Birmingham Zoo employee Kim Loging discovered four years’ worth of photos of her son on the Birmingham Zoo’s carousel. (Kim Loging)

Now approaching his teenage years, Alexander is still excited to ride the carousel again. For Kim, that’s part of the carousel’s charm—it’s an experience the entire family can enjoy, no matter how old you are.

“You got to ride the train and you got to ride the carousel. It’s the two things you have to do, and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re too old for them!”
Kim Loging, Director of Human Resources, Birmingham Zoo

While the Birmingham Zoo doesn’t yet have an opening date for the restored carousel, you could be one of the first to ride it. Click here to visit the Birmingham Zoo’s Instagram page and enter the contest.

Excited to see the Birmingham Zoo’s carousel return? Share your favorite carousel memories with us by tagging @bhamnow and @bhamzoo on Instagram!