Gulf breeze zoo world giraffe day11/6/2023 You’ll find all the classic animals you would expect at a zoo, like lions, tigers, camels, and more. Many of the animals in the zoo today were rescued, and some of them were even born at the zoo! Each and every creature here has a name and a backstory, and the zoo staff works daily to ensure the animals always have comfortable and safe conditions to keep them happy. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is home to a wide range of animal species, many of which are considered endangered or vulnerable. Through the combined effort of multiple individuals, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo finally turned into what it was always meant to be: a safe haven. Via a variety of charitable efforts over the next decade, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has gifted a 25-acre parcel of land that was more inland and received financial backing from individuals, including the original founder of the zoo, Joey Ward, to build a new zoo on the land. With monetary donations flowing in after the series aired, as well as revitalized interest in the Gulf Shores area because of the zoo’s growing popularity, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was able to open its doors a short 14 months after being destroyed! By the end of 2006, the zoo broke its previous best the year of 2004 and soared to new heights. But because of Patti’s brave mission, no staff member or animal was harmed! News of her heroism soon spread to major news outlets and after being featured on ABC World News, TV producer Julie Leifermann reached out to her to start a 13-episode tv series surrounding the zoo that would soon be sold to Animal Planet. There, Patti, the animals, her staff, their families, and close pets hunkered down to weather one of the worst natural disasters to strike Gulf Shores, Alabama.Īfter Hurricane Ivan, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was destroyed and under 14 feet of water. Over the course of almost two days, Patti and her staff transported 265 animals to Patti’s property twenty miles inland. That is, until the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo in 2004. She knew evacuation was coming, but she couldn’t leave the animals behind! The only issue was that a mass evacuation of a zoo had never happened before. In 2004, the zoo experienced its best year ever, but its run of success would soon change with the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was no different. Seasonal hurricane weather always threatens the citizens dotted along the Gulf of Mexico. Patti took the initiative to launch several programs designed to attract visitors, such as educational visits to schools, advertisements towards tourists, new community events, and improved facilities! Things were looking up, but they wouldn’t last forever. By 2000, the Zooland Animal Park was renamed the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, providing a level of credibility to the organization. Throughout the rest of the ‘90s, Patti fought to help the zoo thrive and become a mainstay in the Gulf Shores community. Initially, a passionate volunteer, by 1997 Patti was asked to become the Zoo Director of Zooland Animal Park. Operating for the next six years in a similar manner, the fate of Zooland Animal Park would be changed forever in 1995 when Patti Hall walked through the gates of the park. ![]() Despite the zoo being only a seasonal attraction at the time, the Ward family was ever dedicated. Founded by Joey Ward in 1989, Zooland Animal Park was a small collection of animals managed by an even smaller staff. Stretching its roots back to 1989 when it was known as Zooland Animal Park, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has an amazing past and an even better future. They are 100% compliant with facility checks by the United States Department of Agriculture, offer continuous safety training to their staff, and stay vigilant to any areas where the safety of the zoo could be compromised. Offering wide pathways and disabled access, everyone from the youngest to the oldest can have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals on exhibit.Ībove all else, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo puts the safety of its patrons, staff, and animals as its #1 priority. ![]() ![]() Spanning over 25 acres, it’s easy to feel like you’ve stepped into another world upon entering the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo! From the roar of lions to the playful sounds of monkeys, visitors become immersed in this new kingdom! Despite its vast size, the zoo is still friendly to all age groups. Since starring in the Animal Planet documentary “The Little Zoo That Could,” this non-profit park has been home to over 100 species and subspecies of animals including eight endangered species. Nestled near the white-sand beaches in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo stands out as a premier family destination in the area having been voted the #1 zoo in Alabama for consecutive years.
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