The stars of the 2006 Animal Plant series, “The Little Zoo that Could,” are located just off Highway 59 in Gulf Shores , Ala.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is home to numerous animals; including: lions, tigers, bears and monkeys. In fact, it is the only zoo in the country to have all four color variations of the tiger species.
“The zoo is small, very up-close and personal with the animals,” said Patti Hall, Director of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. “When you can see it, when you can feel it, smell it, feed it, touch it, you connect to the animal and if everybody walks out of here with just a little more respect for an animal we feel like we have done our job,” said Hall.
Visitors of the zoo can get an up-close and personal experience with the animals in an exhibit called, Animal Encounters. This exhibit is where you can actually go in with the animals and partake in the exhibit. Currently, the zoo offers encounters with baby kangaroos, tigers and lemurs; with a new reptile exhibit coming soon. The reptile exhibit will have a baby alligator for its visitors to enjoy.
After 23 years at the current zoo location, it will be moving to a new home. However, the zoo will still be located off of Highway 59. The current Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is nearly seven acres. When the new location opens it will be 25 acres. The new location will have hurricane resistant building to hold off winds up to 250 miles per hour. These buildings are an effort to prevent the devastation that occurred at the current location, due to Hurricane Ivan. According to Hall, the zoo lost over 20 trees and their ornamental landscaping was taken over by Hurricane Ivan.
According to Hall, the new location is set to open in late 2011 or early 2012. But, the animals are not quite done getting to know their visitors in their current location just yet.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
1204 Gulf Shores Parkway
Gulf Shores, Ala. 36542
Open: Every day of the year, except Thanksgiving, New Year's Day and Christmas
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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