Our little zoo that could

One of the treasures on the Alabama Gulf Coast is a little zoo in the heart of Gulf Shores. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is only blocks from the beach, but a little off of Highway 59 and not easy to see. When you find it, you are truly finding a treasure.

I was talking to a friend recently and mentioned going to the zoo to take some pictures. He asked me what kind of zoo I was talking about. Of course, I had to explain that there is a “real” zoo in Gulf Shores and it is also famous.

The Animal Planet did a 13-week series in 2006 called “The Little Zoo That Could.” The series documents the trials and tribulations the zoo crew faced when evacuating for Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Katrina in 2004 and 2005. The show about the little zoo was broadcast around the world and people everywhere fell in love with the zoo and its more than 300 inhabitants.

Last week was my first trip to the zoo and I fell in love with its up-close and personal feel. I’ve been to zoos before in Memphis and San Diego. You could see the animals, but there was a distant, antiseptic feel to the experience. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is like the rest of our coast, friendly. We didn’t have time to tour the entire 17 acres so that means I have to return soon to see the rest of the more than 300 animals that walk, crawl, jump, fly, swim and slither.

I admit, I was there on business and the zoo director, Patti Hall, gave my co-worker and me a wonderful tour. Patti allowed us in the barrier area between the fence and public viewing area. We blew our breath in the face of enormous Bengal tigers (through the fence, of course) and our palms were licked by tigers and black leopards. Camels stuck their heads out to have their noses rubbed. It was an amazing experience. But, like I said, we were getting special treatment. Or, were we? As we were watching two rare Bengal tiger cubs (one is snow-white with beautiful blue eyes), a family with two boys came by and were looking at the tigers, too. Patti asked if they had a camera and when she received a positive response, asked if the boys wanted to come where we were to interact with the almost-grown cubs.

The two boys were very excited and a little nervous. There was a very strong chain link fence between us, but the big cats were fast and had very big teeth. The boys greeted the female like a tiger by puffing breath into her face. She rubbed against the fence and they were able to feel her soft fur. It was definitely something they were going to go home and tell their friends about.

I am telling you this to show although this is a serious business with big animals and big responsibilities. Patti Hall, her crew and volunteers have big hearts. The community loves the zoo and the zoo loves the community. The menagerie will be moving a little north and opening a beautiful new zoo on 25 acres of donated land on Baldwin County Road 6 in early 2011. The new location is on high ground and the animals and keepers will be much safer from Mother Nature.
According to Patti, although the park will be larger with more attractions, the zoo will keep the “small park” feel everyone has come to expect from “The Little Zoo That Could.”