Unmarked graves to be moved at Birmingham Zoo

Some new wild animals are moving into the Birmingham Zoo. Building the new exhibit has unearthed some unusual issues. The Cougar Crossing is getting more attention for what's already on the site, than the animals that will eventually be there.Cougars and bobcats will soon be permanent residents at the Birmingham Zoo. The zoo has released renderings of their planned new home.Zoo president Chris Pfefferkorn said, “It'll have a window where our guests can look in on keepers working with the animals, and then on one side will be a large, netted enclosure for cougars. And on the other side of the building will be a netted enclosure for bobcats.”Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13 Before the empty spot of land in the Alabama Wild section of the zoo is transformed, some current residents must be relocated.Pfefferkorn said, “This was a burial site in the late 1800s, early 1900s for people from all walks of life here in Birmingham.”There are more than 4,700 unmarked graves under the zoo and botanical gardens. The land was once a potter's field, a graveyard for the poor.According to Pfefferkorn, “We started working with the Alabama Historical Commission on what would it take to understand what is on this piece of property here, and then what would we need to do to facilitate the project and treat the people that are interred here with the respect and dignity they deserve?”Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeArcheologists believe there are 12 to 15 graves in the area.Pfefferkorn said, “Archeologists from the University of Alabama will help us identify those down to the exact number. Then he and his team will be the ones that would actually excavate each grave site. Then, we will hold a service to reinter them and mark the graves as well.”The cost to excavate and move those remains was included in the $4 million budget for the new Cougar Crossing. It should be ready and open to the public by next fall.