The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is best known nowadays as the focus of the Animal Planet documentary ?The Little Zoo That Could?, which features the zoo?s passionate efforts to safely evacuate its animal charges when the state had been hit by Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, & Katrina.

Boasting of scenic views of the beach, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo first opened its doors to the public in June, 1989. Then, the zoo had been known as the Zooland Animal Park and owned privately by Gulf Shores? Joey Ward.

In 1992, Ward created the non-profit Zoo Foundation, Inc. to manage the zoo and donated seventeen acres of land for the zoo?s development. In 1995, Ward, together with the Erie Meyer Foundation, had donated thirteen acres more of land.

At present, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has over three hundred animals in its possessions. It also offers a reptile house, petting zoo, and aviary as well as daily animal shows during the months of summer.