Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

What Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo does

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit zoological park operated by The Zoo Foundation Inc. and headquartered at 20499 Oak Road East in Gulf Shores, Alabama, approximately six miles from the Gulf Coast beachfront. The facility houses 118 species across more than 300 animals, including 22 critically endangered species such as American red wolves and a melanistic Amur leopard. The organization is Zoological Association of America (ZAA) accredited and maintains full USDA compliance. It was originally founded as Zooland Animal Park in 1989 by Joey Ward, renamed in 2000, destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and relocated to a new 25-acre site completed in 2016.

The zoo generates revenue through a diversified set of visitor-facing and philanthropic streams: tiered general admission tickets ($15.95-$23.95), annual memberships ranging from $65 to $285, premium animal encounters (Sloth/Lemur Encounters at $24.95, Giraffe Feedings at $5), educational programming for school groups ($8 per person with minimum 15 students), venue rentals for weddings and private events, and seasonal fundraising events including Zoo Brew, Boo at the Zoo, and Wild Lights. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the zoo's website, at-gate sales, and group bookings, supported by email marketing, social media, and corporate sponsorships such as the donation-share arrangement with BJ's Wholesale Club.

The organization is led by Executive Director Joel M. Hamilton with Director Emeritus Patti Hall (who led the zoo's recovery after Hurricane Ivan and was featured in Animal Planet's 'The Little Zoo That Could'), governed by a board chaired by Susan Bartholomew, and supported by 11-50 employees plus an active volunteer base. Conservation partnerships include the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and Lion Guardians. Recent strategic activity centers on accessibility expansion (Sensory Friendly Morning), collection growth with critically endangered species, and community-facing event programming.

Name

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Legal name

The Zoo Foundation Inc.

Website

https://alabamagulfcoastzoo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a ZAA-accredited 501(c)(3) non-profit zoo in Gulf Shores, Alabama, housing 118 species including 22 critically endangered animals. It serves regional families, Gulf Coast tourists, and school groups through daily admissions, annual memberships, premium animal encounters, and seasonal fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Zoo admissions
• Animal encounters
• Educational field trips
• Venue rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Gulf Shores

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Revenue from daily admissions with tiered pricing for adults, seniors, children, and free entry for children under 2. Zoo is open daily 9am-4pm.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering unlimited visits with exclusive benefits including discounts on admissions, gift shop purchases, and special member perks.
3. Animal Adventures and Encounters: Premium paid experiences including sloth/lemur encounters, giraffe feedings, and specialty animal interactions.
4. Donations and Contributions: Charitable donations from individuals, sponsors, and corporate partners supporting animal care and conservation programs.
5. Event Rentals and Fundraisers: Venue rentals for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and special fundraising events like Zoo Brew and Boo at the Zoo.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoological facility in Gulf Shores, Alabama that operates a 25-acre zoo park housing 118 species including 22 critically endangered animals. The zoo sells daily admission tickets and annual memberships, complemented by premium paid animal encounters (sloth, lemur, giraffe feedings), education programs for school groups, venue rentals for weddings and private events, and seasonal fundraising events. Operations are supported by donations, sponsorships, and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit zoological facility offering a unified visitor experience centered on general admission access. The core product is daily zoo admission, complemented by premium Animal Adventures/Encounters (sloth, lemur, and premium experiences) and Giraffe Feedings available at additional cost. The zoo's membership program provides unlimited visit access through multiple tier levels. Additional revenue-generating offerings include Venue Rentals for private events, Zoo Camp for children's summer programming, and Keeper Presentations/Chats included with admission. Education Programs serve school groups and community outreach through Bring the Zoo to You. Seasonal fundraising events like Zoo Brew, Boo at the Zoo, Wild Lights, and Seed and Plant Swap drive donations, alongside direct Donation and Animal/Exhibit Sponsorship programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets General admission to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, open daily 9am-4pm, with tiered pricing for adults ($23.95), seniors ($20.95), children 3-12 ($15.95), and children under 2 (free). Includes access to keeper presentations and the zoo's animal collection.
• Annual Zoo Memberships Annual membership tiers including Individual ($65), Grandparents/Military ($162), Family ($180), Friendship ($120), and Friends and Family ($285) with unlimited visits, member discounts on admissions and gift shop purchases, and exclusive perks.
• Animal Adventures and Encounters Up-close interactive experiences with animals including Sloth Encounters, Lemur Encounters, and Premium Animal Experiences (e.g., South American Adventure, Destination Madagascar) priced at $24.95 per person plus regular admission.
• Giraffe Feedings Twice-daily giraffe feeding experiences at $5 per person plus regular admission, weather permitting.
• Zoo Camp Weekly summer camp programs for children featuring themed educational activities about animals and conservation.
• Education Programs School group field trips and 'Bring the Zoo to You' ambassador outreach programs with discounted rates starting at $8 per person for groups of 15+ (teachers and bus drivers free).
• Venue Rentals Event space rentals for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and other private occasions hosted at the zoo facility.
• Zoo Brew: Sips for Simbas Annual 21+ fundraiser featuring beer tastings, food, live music, and animal meet-and-greets with proceeds supporting conservation efforts (admission $70, Zoo Member $60, Designated Driver $25).
• Donations Program Tax-deductible charitable donations supporting animal care, enrichment, habitat upgrades, and community education programs.
• Animal and Exhibit Sponsorships Annual sponsorship program allowing donors to financially support specific animal care and exhibit maintenance.
• Virtual Valentines Customized video greeting service ($20) featuring zoo animals and staff, delivered for Valentine's Day.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• City of Orange BeachminorOthersMunicipal sponsor supporting the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo with city endorsement and partnership.
• City of FoleyminorOthersMunicipal sponsor supporting the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo with city endorsement and partnership.
• BJ's Wholesale ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering discounted BJ's memberships where a portion of each membership sale is donated to support the zoo's animals and programs. Club Card Membership $15 with $5 donated; Club+ Card Membership $50 with $15 donated.
• Perdido Beach ServiceminorOthersLocal business sponsor supporting the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
• Sail Wild HeartsminorOthersLocal business sponsor supporting the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
• SHOW BaldwinminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host sponsor for Sensory Friendly Morning event, supporting inclusive zoo experiences.
• Let's Play Therapy CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host sponsor for Sensory Friendly Morning event, supporting inclusive zoo experiences.
• Lion GuardiansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization receiving a portion of Zoo Brew proceeds to support lion conservation efforts in Africa.
• Giraffe Conservation FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation organization dedicated solely to giraffe conservation and management; World Giraffe Day proceeds benefit this organization.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Memphis Zoo: Mid-sized regional zoo in the Southeast with comparable family/education audience, member tiers, and special event programming.
• Birmingham Zoo: Alabama-based AZA-accredited zoo serving regional family and education audiences. Closest in-state peer competing for Alabama visitor dollars, school field trips, and conservation donors.
• Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens: Florida-based zoo combining animal collection with gardens programming, comparable in scale and audience to Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
• Audubon Zoo: Historic New Orleans zoo with similar Gulf Coast positioning, diverse species collection, and tourism-driven attendance model.
• Nashville Zoo: Southeast regional zoo with similar species collection, membership structure, and community education focus.
• Gulf Breeze Zoo: Gulf Coast regional zoo in Florida offering comparable family-focused wildlife experiences, animal encounters, and educational programming to coastal visitors.
• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens: Mid-sized Florida zoo with conservation, education, and animal encounter programming serving family audiences in a comparable regional tourism market.

Broad incumbents

• Disney's Animal Kingdom: Dominant theme park zoological attraction in Florida with vastly larger scale; competes for family vacation days and premium animal experience spend in the broader Southeast tourism market.
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Large, well-capitalized Florida zoo with significantly broader animal collection, ride attractions, and membership scale — sets the competitive ceiling for family tourism in the Gulf/Southeast region.

Regional players

• Georgia Aquarium: Largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere located in Atlanta; competes for Southeast family tourism and donor dollars with aquatic-focused conservation programming adjacent to the zoo category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AlGulfCoastZoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlabamaGulfCoastZoo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo