Opened in 1955, the Birmingham Zoo is Alabama's most popular attraction, drawing more than 644,000 visitors annually. Approximately 1,000 animals of 250 species call the 122-acre Birmingham Zoo home, including sea lions, African elephants and other endangered species from six continents. The mission of the Birmingham Zoo is to inspire passion to conserve the natural world through emphasizing conservation, education, scientific study and recreation in all aspects of the Birmingham Zoo's exhibits, programs, facilities and activities. The Zoo's vision is to be the leading zoological and botanical conservation, education and scientific study resource within the U.S. and the family attraction of choice throughout the entire region.