Local Zoo Hurricane Ready

In 2004, Hurricane Ivan wiped out the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, forcing the evacuation of every animal and bird in the facility. Zoo keepers and volunteers moved the animals out, one by one, and transported them to individual safe houses further inland. The entire hurricane evacuation was a nightmare. But things will be different now if a storm threatens Pleasure Island.

"If we have a hurricane, all we have to do is lock them down in the Category 5 night-houses and spend the night at the zoo," says zoo director Patti Hall.

Construction on the zoo's new evacuation shelter on County Road 6 north of Gulf Shores is nearly finished.

"Our hearts our with our animals," says Hall. "And what's in their best interest, so it's going to be a weight taken off our shoulders every June when hurricane season begins, we'll never have to worry about it again."

The site of the storm shelter will also be the zoo's new home. The new zoo will open in 2011.