The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has new and exciting additions to kick off summer. The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, "The Little Zoo That Could," has been a fixture in Gulf Shore for many years but moved to its …
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The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has new and exciting additions to kick off summer.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, "The Little Zoo That Could," has been a fixture in Gulf Shore for many years but moved to its current and larger location in March 2020. The zoo is home to over 199 species spread out over 25 acres. Visitors can feed the giraffes, say hello to the big cats and have up-close experiences with a variety of animals.
When summer rolls around, the zoo offers seasonal programming like Zoo Summer Camp, keeper chats, animal training sessions, animal ambassador walkabouts and more. This summer they also have several brand-new additions to get excited about. To see a daily schedule, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has offered visitors the opportunity to get up close to its animals through encounters for many years. Visitors can feed the resident giraffes, Benjamin and Akayla daily, meet the resident sloths Patron and Agave in the South American Adventure or interact with the zoos troop of ring-tailed lemurs at Destination: Madagascar. This summer there are two new animals to meet: Sulcata tortoise and red river hog.
"Both of these species provide a great educational opportunity for us here at the zoo to teach guests about these incredible animals, their habitats and interesting facts they may not expect about them," said Paula White, director of development. "Also, both of these species are very engaging and enjoy the interactions with guests."
Located at Coola Springs, adventurous guests can pay $5 per person for the opportunity to meet and learn more about the Sulcata Tortoise, a keystone species of the Savanna. Guests will visit with the tortoises in their yard in Coola Springs, feed them leafy greens and touch their shells. The adventure is offered daily 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 2:20-3:30 p.m.
Opening June 5, the Red River Hog adventure gives guests an opportunity to learn more about Roto and Sally, the resident Red River Hogs, while giving the hogs back scratches with long handle brushes. This adventure will be offered Wednesdays from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and is $10 per person and available for guests ages 10 years and older.
The zoo is always producing new events to keep the locals engaged and the repeat vacationers coming back, but the new fun isn't always for the children. This summer, the zoo has teamed up with two foraging experts for a one-of-a-kind dinner experience.
"This is a new event for the zoo, and we are excited about it," White said. "This evening will allow participants to learn from the experts, Tanner Hammond and Natasha Freeman, how to forage properly as they explore the woods on the zoo grounds. They will learn what plants are edible and what aren't and how various herbs and flowers can be used, basically turning nature into our grocery store."
White said she hopes this event will be well attended and opens the door for more events like it in the future.
If you don't mind putting a little effort into finding your dinner, this special dinner is for you. Join expert foragers, Chef Tanner Hammond, aka Mushroom Man Tan, and Natasha Freeman from Bee-Lightful Botanicals on an adventure into the woods on the zoo property to forage for edible plants, herbs and hidden treasures. Once the forage is over, guests will enjoy a dinner prepared by Hammond that is inspired by the day's foraging harvest. Tickets are available now and can be purchased by visiting www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org. The dinner is Friday, June 14, from 5-8 p.m. Dinners must be 21 years or older. Proceeds benefit the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
School is out for summer, so that means it's time to sign up for summer camp. Offered weekly for six weeks beginning June 10, this year's camp offers new adventures for students who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. Campers learn through hands-on experiences how to be a zookeeper, what it takes to run a zoo, how to care for animals and how to be a conservationist. Registration remains open until the camp is full. For more information or to register, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.
Plans for the fourth-annual Zoo Brew event are in full swing. While the event isn't until Sept. 27, tickets sell quickly, so this is your notice. Tickets go on sale July 1. The fun, adult evening of fundraising includes beer tasting, food, live entertainment, animal meet and greets and more. Make plans now to attend the event Sept. 27, 6-9 p.m.
The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 20499 Oak Road East, Gulf Shores. Adult admission is $22.95, seniors $19.95 and children ages three to 12 $14.95. For more information, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.
