This used to be a really nice zoo, but in the past few years it has really gone down hill. It is actually embarrassing that the reptile house has animals you can buy in pet stores and no venomous snakes. The alligator exhibit is very poor and bordering on cruel. I've seen better exhibits in roadside zoos.

How long are the elephants supposed to wait in the little barn? I think they have been there for over a year.

The Overlook cafe is very slow and the food isn't that good. If you go during lunch time, expect close to an hour long wait.

I also visited the Mann museum which for some reason is associated with the zoo. It is supposed to be a "natural history" musuem, but it is full of errors and seems to be more a tribute to a bow hunter. Not much about Alabama wildlife either, most of it is Alaskan animals (hunted of course).