Wild About Educators

Come join us on Saturday, November 7th for Wild About Educators, the Birmingham Zoo’s educator appreciation day event! From 10:00am to 2:00pm, the Learning Department is hosting a series of fun interactive booths complete with engaging activities and educational displays. Come learn what a day in the life of a Birmingham Zoo Volunteer looks like, what Passion into Conservation Action (PiCA) means, how ordinary people become extraordinary zookeepers and much more!

Educator Discount
Educators will receive $15 general admission for themselves and up to 3 guests (party of 4 in total). To clarify, this means $15 admission for the educator and $15 admission for each guest up to 3 guests. Educators are defined here as active teachers, local and out-of-state educators, informal educators, and administrative support staff. Educators must present a valid educator ID or relevant documentation and a photo ID to take advantage of these discounts.

The “Wild About Educators” event will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm, however the educator discount will be available for the entire day (Saturday, 11/07/2026).

Chance Drawing
In addition, we are hosting a free chance drawing where educators have the opportunity to win fun prizes such as a free year of Birmingham Zoo Family Membership and two Behind the Scenes tickets. Educators are allowed one entry per prize. 

Special Activities
We have a full schedule of special activities for educators and their families to participate in at no additional fee. Events include Animal Ambassador demonstrations, a Camper for an Hour experience, and much more. To sign up ahead of time for our Wild About Educators Day activities, please head to the links in the schedule below. Certain events you must sign up ahead of time to participate in as there are only a limited number of spots. Any available spots left on the day will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Wild About Educators Schedule

10:00am: Educational booths begin. Drawing opens at the Learning Team booth.

10:30am: African Lion Training (Lion Habitat)

• • Josh, our male African Lion, works with his zookeepers every day, learning behaviors like holding up his paw or rolling over. These “tricks” help keep Josh healthy and happy, not only because he’s given lots of yummy treats for doing them, but also because they allow his zookeepers to perform vital health checks on him. Come see one of these training sessions in-person and learn all about Josh and his team!
  • No advanced sign-up required for this event.

11:00am: Animal Ambassador Bird Demonstration (Learning Center)

• • Come fly high with us at our Animal Ambassador Bird Demonstration! Hear our Animal Ambassador team talk about the fun and fascinating birds here at the
    Birmingham Zoo and see some of them in action. It’s sure to make your beak week! To sign up, please head to the link below.
  • For this event, advanced sign-up is required: Animal Ambassador Demonstration: Birds

11:30am: Elephant Food Toss

• • Have you ever wanted to feed an elephant? Well, now you can! Our Elephant Food Toss experience allows you to get up close and personal with our African Elephant bachelor herd. You’ll get the chance to feed them yummy treats like apples and carrots while learning all about them from our Elephants team. To sign up, please head to the link below.
  • We have a maximum capacity of 25 people for this event. For this event, advanced sign-up is required: Elephant Food Toss

12:00pm: Camper for an Hour (Henley Lawn)

• • Dust off that little kid inside you and join us for our Camper for an Hour experience! In addition to some of our teen Camp Mentors, the Learning Team will be hosting an hour of fun camp games and activities on Henley Lawn the whole family can enjoy. Comes complete with a snack at the end.
  • No advanced sign-up required for this event.

1:00pm: Animal Ambassador Reptile Demonstration (Learning Center)

• • Slinking snakes, leaping lizards, and toad-ally awesome toads! In this demonstration, come explore the jumping, crawling, and slithering world of reptiles with our Animal Ambassador team. Learn all about how these representatives of different species help educate the public on the importance of reptiles!
  • For this event, advanced sign-up is required: Animal Ambassador Demonstration: Reptiles

2:00pm: Keeper Chat: Cougars (Alabama Wilds)

• • Come listen to our zookeepers talk about some of the largest, sweetest kitties at the Birmingham Zoo, our Cougars, Juniper and Spruce! These big cats used to be native to Alabama before they were extirpated or driven out of the state in the mid-1800s. Learn all about what they’re up to now at our Cougar Keeper Chat!
  • No advanced sign-up required for this event.

2:00pm: Booths end. Drawing closes.

• • The drawing will occur after the event finishes, and winners will be contacted about next steps.

Thank you to our educators for all the amazing work you do! If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to education@birminghamzoo.com.