The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo-The Little Zoo That Could.

Open every day of the year from 9:00 AM to 4 PM, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is located in Mobile and has tagged itself with the moniker, “the little zoo that could”.

Opening up in June of 1989, as the Zooland Animal Park, the Zoo was founded as a private enterprise of Joey Ward.

In 1991 the Ward family donated the 17 acres of land that encompasses the zoo today, after they created the Zoo Foundation, Inc, a non-profit corporation governed by a board of directors.

The land that the Ward family so generously donated was truly a gift of the heart and for the love of the animals since the land itself was known to be prime real estate. But fortunately that did not stop the Ward family from making the gift of land to the zoo. In 1994, the Ward family kept the tradition of giving alive by donating another 13 acres of land designated for future growth and expansion.

The zoo is open to delight visitors and to share with them the various animals which call the zoo home. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my, lions and tigers and bears! Over 300 animals call this delightful little zoo home. Besides the lions, tigers and bears, you will also find macaws, monkeys, and even degus, a trumpet tailed rat creature.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has survived many challenges over the past few years as a result of its location. Located only one mile from the Gulf of Mexico, the zoo has always been a prime target for damage if a hurricane were to hit in close proximity.

Well, unfortunately in September 2004, Hurricane Ivan did just that with heart wrenching consequences.

After Hurricane Ivan and its 12 foot flood waters, the zoo and its inhabitants were left with over $500,000 in damage. The staff, passionate about the animals, the zoo and the place they all loved, worked relentlessly in order to repair the battered zoo in hopes of re-opening the beloved Gulf Shores Alabama attraction.

But tragedy struck again in the form of another hurricane, just ten months later, this one named Ivan, followed just two months later by the historical Hurricane Katrina.

Total zoo evacuation and repairs were becoming all too common place in the face of three hurricanes in a row and without the revenue of admissions to support the zoo for a full fourteen months they fell on very hard times.

It was through the generosity of others that the animals were kept safe, warm and well fed and the zoo was able to be re-built. However, the decision has been made that because of the vulnerability of the zoo in the low lying area of its current location that moving to higher and therefore safer ground is the best decision of all.

The zoo offers annual membership passes for a discount for those 16 years and older. Passes allow admission to the zoo for one year from the time of purchase allowing local supporters to enjoy the grounds and the new things that happen throughout the year.

Don’t forget to visit the gift shop where the Zoo keeps a great supply of plush toys and stuffed zoo animal toys, t-shirts, hats, mugs, and even special hand carved nephrite jade pieces straight from New Zealand.

So catch the buzz and make sure to make the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo a part of your “must see” places in Mobile Alabama. You will be glad that you did. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, the little zoo that could, is a lesson in perseverance and teamwork for all to see.