Birmingham Zoo Carousel Reopens After Three-Year Renovation

The Birmingham Zoo’s Protective Carousel reopened to the public Oct. 28 after a three-year restoration. The ride, which opened in 2002, features 36 hand-carved wooden figures representing endangered species, linking a popular family attraction to the zoo’s conservation mission. Workers repaired and refinished the figures and restored the carousel’s floor. Zoo leaders say visitors’ stories—including families returning with children and people who found comfort at the zoo—show how strongly the community is attached to the ride.