Open Daily 9 am – 4 pm

Education • Conservation • Adventure • Community

Open Daily 9 am to 4 pm

Mission Statement

The mission of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is to create compelling experiences that connect people and community with wildlife, and inspire personal responsibility for conservation of the natural world. Education. Conservation. Adventure. Community.

About The Zoo

The zoo is about 6 miles from the beach. Tucked just off the main highway, visitors feel like they have entered a tropical urban oasis filled with intriguing sounds from our rich diversity of exotic animals. Whether it’s the distinctive call from our peacocks or chatter from our monkeys you are instantly transported out of life’s hustle and bustle into our peaceful kingdom.

Voted the “#1 Zoo in Alabama” for two years running!

If you really want something extra unforgettable, stop in for a one-on-one, up-close experience with a few of our friendliest friends at our Animal Encounters!

Our Team

Joel M. Hamilton

Executive Director

Patti Hall

Director Emeritus

Board of Directors

Board Chairman

Zach Estes

Vice Chair

Ginny Barnas

Treasurer

Rosie Stallworth

Board Members

Michele Finn

Kim Gordon

OG Greene

Andrew Hart

Allyson Pearce

Dr. Julie Taylor

Cheryl Robinson- Secretary

Senior Staff

Curator of Animal Care and Welfare

Cyndi Johnson

Director of Development

Paula White

Executive Assistant and PR/Social Media Manager

Marcale Sisk

Guest Services Manager

Lauren Crochet

Assistant Curator of Animal Welfare and Education

Rachel Gulley

Facilities Manager

Tim Closson

Director of Human Resources

Ruthie Taylor

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is operated by The Zoo Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, governed by a Board of Directors.

Safety First

The safety of every zoo visitor, our staff, and our animals have precedence over everything at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. We follow every safety protocol as required by law, and receive 100% compliance by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the federal agency that annually inspects our facility. We maintain ongoing safety training procedures in the handling of our animals by our keepers, and stay vigilant in keeping our facility structures secure. We take great pride in our constant efforts to provide the safest and most secure environment we can for your family when you come to visit ours.

Sources of Revenue

As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo relies solely on admissions, memberships, and contributions to remain in business.

Construction of the new Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is an on going project and our Philanthropy Partnership Program plays an extremely significant role.

It ensures that the zoo becomes a prominent member of an ever-growing business and civic community in its new Gulf Shores location, while offering education, entertainment, and cultural activities, especially for families.

By participating in one of the zoo’s many partnership programs, you, your company, organization, or institution can contribute to the zoo’s vibrant, secure standing far into the future.

For more about the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Philanthropy Partnership Program,
CONTACT:

Director of Development – Paula White
251.256.7008 | [email protected]

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is operated by The Zoo Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a board of directors. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Please consult with your tax advisor.

Get Social With Us

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

19 hours ago

Still looking for that perfect Christmas experience gift? What's better than behind-the-scenes, one-on-one experiences for the whole family. Learn more at https://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com/alabama-gulf-coast-zoo-announces-new-winter-premium-experiences/

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

24 hours ago

We are almost there! We found a utility vehicle but need another $3,845 to help us cover the cost. Consider making a year-end donation at https://ZooWishes24.givesmart.com.

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 days ago

Cheetahs are very unique: they have semi-retractable claws, they are incredibly fast, and they are large in size but still considered “small” cats; male cheetahs routinely form coalitions with other males, and yet females spend most of their lives alone, except for when she has cubs, which is usually a litter consisting of 2-8 cubs. Cheetahs are also very selective breeders; between 1,970-2011, 70% of female cheetahs and 80% of male cheetahs in captive populations died without producing viable offspring. But now? After spending more time really studying cheetahs and what they need, captive populations in America are breeding very well! The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo’s two female cheetahs, Taj and Shani, came from Metro Richmond Zoo, which has one of the best cheetah breeding programs in the world.
As the holiday season approaches, please help us #ProtectWhatsLeft by donating now at https://ZooConservation.givesmart.com. No gift is too small, and your. Donate now at https://ZooConservation.givesmart.com. No gift is too small. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 days ago

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

5 days ago

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

7 days ago

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

1 weeks ago

Selfies with Santa today from 11 am-2 pm. Included with zoo admission. Zoo members are free. #selfieswithsanta

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

1 weeks ago

Did you know that less than 7,500 cheetahs are left in the world? Cheetahs are faced with many challenges in the wild: they’re rather frail in comparison to their cousins (lions and leopards), human-wildlife conflict, the exotic pet trade, and habitat loss. The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) works to mitigate human-wildlife conflict by helping locals practice more predator-friendly livestock and wildlife management techniques and utilizing livestock guarding dogs. CCF breeds Anatolian shepherds and Kangal dogs to place with farmers that will grow and use their impressive size and loud bark to scare off would-be predators. The presence of the dogs alone has cut livestock predation down significantly.

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

1 weeks ago

Grab your cameras and take your holiday photo with Santa in the giraffe pavilion. This Saturday, December 14, from 11am-2pm. Included with regular zoo admission. Zoo members are free. #selfieswithsanta

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

Our Zoo Angel Trees are up in the following locations or you can view our wish list at https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2BW8DF91OQVH7. Thank you to all who help make the holidays special for our animals and keepers with these extra needed treats.

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

✨Thank You for Joining Us at the Zoo's First Wild Lights: Holiday Jeeps Event! ✨

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came out and made this event a sparkling success! Your presence and enthusiasm lit up the night and made it truly magical.

A special thanks go to all the amazing jeep owners who showcased their stunning vehicles and added an extra layer of wonder to the evening. We couldn't have done it without you!

Here's to more unforgettable nights together! We plan to make it an annual event.

#WildLightsHolidayJeeps #ZooEvent #thankyou

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

Tiny Sneak Peak of the Zoo's transformation for Wild Lights: Holiday Jeeps. Come see us Saturday (12/7), 5 pm- 8 pm.

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

From our Conservation Committee: December 4th was International Cheetah Day. The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) was founded in 1990 by Dr. Laurie Marker after she witnessed the decline of cheetah populations, mainly due to farmer-wildlife conflict. Dr. Marker worked closely with a cheetah cub named Khayam at Wildlife Safari in Eugene, OR, and her experience with him inspired her to start International Cheetah Day in 2010, remembering Khayam’s birthday, December 4. The CCF aims to educate people about the plight that cheetah face in the wild, particularly that we have lost 90% of the world’s cheetah population in the last 100 years, and has begun some re-wilding (when a captive-raised animal is raised to eventually be self-sufficient enough to be released into the wild) efforts, which Dr. Marker witnessed the success of, with Khayam, on a trip to Namibia. The world’s fastest land animal is, unfortunately, racing towards extinction. Will you help us to #ProtectWhatsLeft? To help support our conservation efforts, please visit https://ZooConservation.givesmart.com. No gift is too small. Your support is greatly appreciated.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is currently the proud home of two cheetah sisters, Taj and Shani. #protectwhatsleft

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

2 weeks ago

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

🐾 Help the Zoo's Wishes Come True! 🐾
This Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3) through the end of the year, we’re raising $25,000 to fund two big wishes we have:
1️⃣ Utility Vehicle with Dump Bed – Help replace our retired John Deere Gator to keep the Zoo’s 25 acres and animal exhibits in top shape. Cost: $13K-$15K.
2️⃣ Clint Eatswood’s Outdoor Exhibit – Help build our North American Beaver an exhibit space in the public park area so you can visit him when you come to the zoo! Cost: $12K.
💚 Every dollar makes a difference! Donate here: https://ZooWishes24.givesmart.com
#GivingTuesday #ZooWishes #AGCZ

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

Big Announcement!!!!!! - Wild Lights is a GO... or should we say "A Glow!"
Jeep Registration has been EXTENDED to December 4!

Don't miss the Wild Lights: Holiday Jeeps event at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo on December 7 from 5 PM to 8 PM! "Holiday Jeeps" will create a winter wonderland of lights and showcase the incredible Jeeps in our community. 🎄✨

✨Deadline for Jeep Registration Extended to December 4 ✨Register Now at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/cp3RTQ?vid=18xqaw.

- $25 Registration Fee (includes admission for 2 people)
- Decorate your Jeep with lights and holiday decorations
- Compete for the Wild Lights People's Choice Award!

#HolidayJeeps #WildLights #AGCZoo #JeepCommunity #HolidayFun

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

Hurry! These wild deals are for a limited time only!🦒⚡ Grab your Black Friday Deal before time runs out. The sale ends TODAY! Purchase now https://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com/become-a-member/#blackfriday #CyberMondayDeals

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

✨Join us for a new event, Wild Lights: Holiday Jeeps, on December 7 from 5 PM to 8 PM! 🎄This family-friendly event includes Selfies with Santa, children's arts and crafts, animal ambassador meet-and-greets, music, hot chocolate, and more!

Tickets to attend are $10 per person (2 and under are free). Zoo Members with a valid Zoo Membership are free.

For tickets, go to https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/cp3RTQ?vid=18xqaw.

#HolidayJeeps #WildLights #AGCZoo #JeepCommunity #HolidayFun

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

🐾 Wild Black Friday Deal! 🐾
$25 Off Family or Grandparent/Military Memberships and $10 off Additional Add Ons
Limited Time Now through December 2

➡️ Grab your Black Friday membership NOW: https://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com/become-a-member/

Tag your animal-loving friends and start planning your next visit!

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

The last SBLC Reading Time at the Zoo is this morning at 9:30 a.m. (included with Zoo admission). The Reading location is near Boodah and the Aviary. Thank you to South Baldwin Literacy Council for partnering with us for Family Literacy Awareness Month.

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Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

3 weeks ago

This Black Friday, give your family the gift of adventure and memories!
Black Friday Membership Sale Now through Dec. 2:
✨ $25 OFF Family & Grandparent/Military Passes
✨ $10 OFF Add-Ons

Purchase now https://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com/become-a-member/

#BlackFridaySale #MembershipDeals #AGCZAdventure #FamilyFun

Read Our Recent Reviews:

Reviews

5 Over 6 Reviews

Write a Review

Chad Riehle 7 months ago

Always a must when in Gulf Shores!

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brittny92 7 months ago

We have never been to this zoo, and it sure is the “Little Zoo that Could!” We are on a family vacation with 4 children 5 and under. They all had fun and were so excited to see all the animals. We arrived right at 9am and all the animals were ready to show off!

We even got to watch the keepers interacting and providing enrichment which was such a cool experience. You can tell the workers loved the animals and are really dedicated to the care and treatment of the animals.

It took us around 2-2.5 hours to go around the whole zoo so it won’t be a full day trip, but it will definitely be a wonderful stop to make on your trip to Gulf Shores!

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Thomas Crowley 7 months ago

While visiting Orange Beach decided to visit the local zoo. What a great place, helpful employees who did a lot of explaining of animals feeding. It was a great walk. A great day. All the animals are very interesting and especially loved the herb garden..

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Lynette Keith 7 months ago

I’ve been bringing my children here since they were little and now I’m bringing my grandchildren. I love our little zoo. It’s not too big and by the time the kiddos are wore out, we are all done. Everyone is so hospitable and kind. Cute gift shop and love feeding Ben the giraffe.

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bethany Barlow 9 months ago

We loved our visit! Such an affordable option for a zoo. Plenty of animals to see. Loved how close you get to all of them. Very clean and tidy. Disappointed the tigers weren’t out though. But overall a fantastic experience! Our kids loved it.

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Julia Anne 10 months ago

Such a beautiful zoo! Very clean with ample restrooms and benches. There were so many animals to see which was very unexpected. We saw tigers, lyons, monkeys, giraffes, lemurs, many types of local birds, etc. For an extra fee, you can feed the giraffes and have an opportunity to get up close and personal with several different zoo animals.

There is a great little enclosed bird area with turtles where you can sit and watch the birds. They also have a great gift shop with wonderful gift items.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience. We had a great time watching the animals and will definitely be back!

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