Information
Landmark: Alabama Gulf Coast ZooCity: Gulf Shores
Country: USA Alabama
Continent: North America
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf Shores, USA Alabama, North America
Overview
Tucked away in Gulf Shores, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo draws families year after year, earning its place as a cherished favorite and a distinctive gem in the state’s coastal tourism scene, where you might hear parrots calling over the salty breeze.
Nicknamed the “Little Zoo That Could” after earning national attention during and after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the zoo is now celebrated not just for its lions and lemurs, but for its grit, its passion for teaching, and its deep ties to the community.
The zoo opened its gates in 1989 as the Zooland Animal Park, a small, family-friendly spot Joey Ward Sr.
dreamed up-just a handful of enclosures and the scent of fresh hay in the air.
In 1991, the place officially took the name Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, run by the nonprofit Alabama Gulf Coast Zoological Society.
In 2006, the zoo gained national attention when Animal Planet aired *The Little Zoo That Could*, a series that followed its repeated evacuations and bruising battles with hurricanes.
The story shone a light on the remarkable work of staff and volunteers who, even in the chaos of a storm and the smell of wet hay, tended to the animals through every crisis.
In 2020, the zoo relocated to a bigger spot inland to avoid hurricane flooding, adding fresh habitats and shiny new facilities.
Spread across 25 acres of manicured paths and shaded lawns, the modern zoo is built to keep its animals comfortable and its visitors delighted.
The habitats are roomy and feel close to nature, housing over 300 animals-from a chattering parrot to a sunbathing iguana.
Step into walk-through aviaries, wander through petting areas, and meet a few friendly animals up close-always with a staff member nearby.
Educational spaces where school groups gather, rangers share stories about wildlife, and hands-on conservation programs bring learning to life.
Gardens and walking paths wind through cool, shaded spots, offering an easy stroll the whole family can enjoy.
Animal Highlights: Big cats-lions, tigers, and leopards-roam in secure, enriched enclosures where you might hear a low, rumbling growl.
Primates include monkeys with quick, darting eyes, lemurs with soft striped tails, and a variety of other species.
Reptiles like alligators sliding into murky water, snakes coiled in the grass, and tortoises basking in the sun all mirror the wild spirit of the Gulf Coast.
Parrots, peacocks, and other tropical birds flutter inside spacious aviaries, their feathers catching the light.
Kangaroos, camels, and goats wait in the petting area, ready for kids to feed or gently stroke their soft fur.
Special Experiences: Get up close with lemurs, kangaroos, or even a slow-blinking sloth during a guided animal encounter.
Families love these, and they give kids a safe, well-watched place to connect.
All year long, the zoo comes alive with themed events, hands-on camps, and special conservation days-like when kids plant wildflowers in the spring.
Keeper Talks and Demonstrations: Lively sessions where you can watch a lion crunch into its lunch while learning how the keepers care for each animal.
Cultural and Community Role:The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo isn’t just a place to see animals anymore-it’s a living reminder of Gulf Shores’ grit, standing tall like the oaks that weather every storm.
Through hurricane after hurricane, it’s held fast and kept growing, like a lone oak still standing while shingles fly-capturing exactly what this community’s made of.
It doubles as a learning hub for schools and visitors, sparking interest in wildlife and conservation with stories of rare birds and fragile habitats.
The zoo’s built with families in mind, small enough to wander through in just a few hours and still have time to stop for an ice cream without feeling pressed for time.
With shady trees, quiet picnic tables, and a small café serving cold drinks, it’s a welcoming spot even in the thick of summer heat.
The newer inland site offers better parking, easier access, and stronger protection from storms than the old spot by the beach, where salt spray once coated the windows.
Plan on setting aside two to three hours at the zoo-you’ll want time to wander past every exhibit and maybe pause to watch the lions stretch in the sun.
Get there early on summer mornings to beat the heat and see the animals moving about, paws stirring dust in the cool light.
Reserve your animal encounter early-spots fill fast, and there aren’t many to go around.
Take sunscreen and a bottle of water, even though the tree-lined paths keep the sun off your shoulders.
Pair it with a stop at the soft-sand Gulf Shores beaches or a stroll through Gulf State Park, and you’ve got a full day’s worth of things to do.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo brings together wildlife conservation, family fun, and a spirit of local resilience, from the playful chatter of monkeys to the warm smiles of longtime staff.
It’s smaller than a big-city zoo, but the close-up encounters, the chance to feed a goat, and its warm, storied past make it feel truly special.
If you’re visiting Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, it’s a chance to trade the sand for shady trails and get closer to the wild, untamed beauty of the Gulf Coast.
Nicknamed the “Little Zoo That Could” after earning national attention during and after Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the zoo is now celebrated not just for its lions and lemurs, but for its grit, its passion for teaching, and its deep ties to the community.
The zoo opened its gates in 1989 as the Zooland Animal Park, a small, family-friendly spot Joey Ward Sr.
dreamed up-just a handful of enclosures and the scent of fresh hay in the air.
In 1991, the place officially took the name Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, run by the nonprofit Alabama Gulf Coast Zoological Society.
In 2006, the zoo gained national attention when Animal Planet aired *The Little Zoo That Could*, a series that followed its repeated evacuations and bruising battles with hurricanes.
The story shone a light on the remarkable work of staff and volunteers who, even in the chaos of a storm and the smell of wet hay, tended to the animals through every crisis.
In 2020, the zoo relocated to a bigger spot inland to avoid hurricane flooding, adding fresh habitats and shiny new facilities.
Spread across 25 acres of manicured paths and shaded lawns, the modern zoo is built to keep its animals comfortable and its visitors delighted.
The habitats are roomy and feel close to nature, housing over 300 animals-from a chattering parrot to a sunbathing iguana.
Step into walk-through aviaries, wander through petting areas, and meet a few friendly animals up close-always with a staff member nearby.
Educational spaces where school groups gather, rangers share stories about wildlife, and hands-on conservation programs bring learning to life.
Gardens and walking paths wind through cool, shaded spots, offering an easy stroll the whole family can enjoy.
Animal Highlights: Big cats-lions, tigers, and leopards-roam in secure, enriched enclosures where you might hear a low, rumbling growl.
Primates include monkeys with quick, darting eyes, lemurs with soft striped tails, and a variety of other species.
Reptiles like alligators sliding into murky water, snakes coiled in the grass, and tortoises basking in the sun all mirror the wild spirit of the Gulf Coast.
Parrots, peacocks, and other tropical birds flutter inside spacious aviaries, their feathers catching the light.
Kangaroos, camels, and goats wait in the petting area, ready for kids to feed or gently stroke their soft fur.
Special Experiences: Get up close with lemurs, kangaroos, or even a slow-blinking sloth during a guided animal encounter.
Families love these, and they give kids a safe, well-watched place to connect.
All year long, the zoo comes alive with themed events, hands-on camps, and special conservation days-like when kids plant wildflowers in the spring.
Keeper Talks and Demonstrations: Lively sessions where you can watch a lion crunch into its lunch while learning how the keepers care for each animal.
Cultural and Community Role:The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo isn’t just a place to see animals anymore-it’s a living reminder of Gulf Shores’ grit, standing tall like the oaks that weather every storm.
Through hurricane after hurricane, it’s held fast and kept growing, like a lone oak still standing while shingles fly-capturing exactly what this community’s made of.
It doubles as a learning hub for schools and visitors, sparking interest in wildlife and conservation with stories of rare birds and fragile habitats.
The zoo’s built with families in mind, small enough to wander through in just a few hours and still have time to stop for an ice cream without feeling pressed for time.
With shady trees, quiet picnic tables, and a small café serving cold drinks, it’s a welcoming spot even in the thick of summer heat.
The newer inland site offers better parking, easier access, and stronger protection from storms than the old spot by the beach, where salt spray once coated the windows.
Plan on setting aside two to three hours at the zoo-you’ll want time to wander past every exhibit and maybe pause to watch the lions stretch in the sun.
Get there early on summer mornings to beat the heat and see the animals moving about, paws stirring dust in the cool light.
Reserve your animal encounter early-spots fill fast, and there aren’t many to go around.
Take sunscreen and a bottle of water, even though the tree-lined paths keep the sun off your shoulders.
Pair it with a stop at the soft-sand Gulf Shores beaches or a stroll through Gulf State Park, and you’ve got a full day’s worth of things to do.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo brings together wildlife conservation, family fun, and a spirit of local resilience, from the playful chatter of monkeys to the warm smiles of longtime staff.
It’s smaller than a big-city zoo, but the close-up encounters, the chance to feed a goat, and its warm, storied past make it feel truly special.
If you’re visiting Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, it’s a chance to trade the sand for shady trails and get closer to the wild, untamed beauty of the Gulf Coast.
