The Not Too Little Zoo That Can

Story and photos by Kathleen Walls

Gulf Shores Zoo became a household word as "The Little Zoo That Could" when a prime-time documentary told how the zoo's saved its animals in 2004 before Hurricane Ivan struck Gulf Shores. It all began in 1989 when Joey Ward built a small, community zoo on his family's land just a mile from the beach. He named it Zooland Animal Park. By 2000 it had grown and was renamed The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

When Hurricane Ivan took aim at Alabama's coast in 2004, Gulf Shores Zoo moved all its animals, except Chucky the alligator, to safety during. Prior to this no US zoo has ever been completely evacuated for a disaster. Patti Hall, Zoo Director, realized Gulf Shores and Orange Beach were the bulleye for the Cat 3 Ivan. If the animals were left in the zoo, they probably would not survive Ivan. Within 36 hours, Patti and her staff moved over 265 animals 20 miles inland to her own property.

On September 16th, Hurricane Ivan made landfall and completely wiped out The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo leaving it under 14 feet of water Not one animal life was lost in the transport or during the relocation They found Chucky safe when they could return home. Chucky was the only one in Alabama that seemed to enjoy all the flooding Ivan brought. He is the zoo's oldest resident.

In 2005 a 13-episode TV series was made and sold to Animal Planet and On February 15th 2006, The Little Zoo That Could debuted bring instant fame to the zoo.

It reopened only 14 months after Ivan, but Ward and the staff knew it was sitting on disaster because of its location. Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina put them at risk again. Then in 2007, a gift from Animal-lovers Clyde Weir and his daughter Andrea of 25 acres of prime Gulf Shores land located four miles from the water offered safety.

The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill slowed the move as tourism tanked but thanks to help from the Ward family, the move is finally accomplished. The zoo opened at new location in March 2020 and was voted the "#1 Zoo in Alabama" for two years running. 

I visited recently and was amazed at how the zoo has grown and improved. I wanderd around the zoo and admired its residents in their spacious well-kept habitats.

A family of lemurs inhabits their own island near the front entrance. Chucky was sunning himself besides his watery habitat. Two giraffes were parading regally about their enclosure. A fluffy white wolf was acting like a big dog. Most of the big cats were doing what cats do best, napping.

II took the Sloth Encounter in South American Adventure exhibit and got to pet the male Southern two-toe sloth, Herbert, as he hung on his rope set, and watch the female. Sylvia, with her baby clutched to her breast, at close range. The newest sloth, Petron, was eying me from his perch in the sloth house window. The macaw, Pumpkin, which shares the enclosure with the sloths seemed to have a strong bond with the keeper, Brittany. Aside from the sloths, I got to meet a few tortoises who also share the space, and even pet them. Brittany gave a lot of information about the animals' habits and diet. Besides the Sloth Encounter, they offer Lemur Encounters and Kangaroo Encounters.

The zoo now is home to 300 animals, 22 are on the Endangered Species List, including their Bengal tigers Rajah, Rani, and Omar. They have a beautiful black leopard named Katrina that was a gift from naturalist, Jack Hanna. There's a Petting Zoo and educational and fun stage shows where you can learn more about the animal residents.

For some variety, you can do the zipline, ride the carousel, walk through an aviary or a butterfly garden. If you are tired of walking, you can ride the Safari cars, or pick up a snack at Savannah Manor, or enjoy a full meal at Safari Club Restaurant.

When you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast, this is a must see.