Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Joel Hamilton, Gulf Shores

Joel Hamilton was destined to become a zoo director from the very beginning of his life. Born and raised on a defunct 125-acre farm in Connecticut, surrounded by an additional 800 acres of former farmland, he spent his youth stomping around outdoors. “If it was daylight, I was outside playing, fishing streams, and generally absorbing the environment.” 

During our visit at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo’s offices, he told me that he had a strong interest in wildlife as a child and thought he would go on to become a veterinarian. His main interest was in exotic animals. He earned his degree in Biology at Quinnipiac College, now University (if that name is familiar, Quinnipiac University conducts national political polls that you see reported in the news).

The state of Connecticut has no vet schools, so Joel was waitlisted at several out-of-state schools. He decided that he would move to Moorpark, California, and attend Ventura County Community College because there he could earn an associate degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management. “They had an animal compound on campus.”

In 1983, Joel was offered a position at the Dallas Zoo’s Bird Department, eventually being named Supervisor. He developed a strong interest in exhibit design, so, once again, he earned his Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Texas-Arlington. It took four years but was a means to an end.

“A good zoo director should know how to design a zoo and really be part of the process,” he said. After 9 years at the Dallas Zoo, with his Landscape Architect degree in hand, he went to work for an architecture design firm that happened to have a zoo design division. After a few years, he accepted a position as curator at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island. 

With young children at home, he decided to be a stay-at-home dad looking after the kids while running his own design firm specializing in zoo design. Most of the work took place in and around the New England area, and he also designed a zoo project in Mexico. As the kids got older and started school, he got antsy to get back into the zoo management business. “Once it gets under your skin, it’s hard to get rid of it.”

He was offered the position as the Director of the Salisbury Zoo in Maryland and moved the family. He was there for five years. As we sit in his office on the second floor, talking about his career track, he says, “There’s nothing like working in the zoo business. Just look out the window.” 

As he says this, we look out to see the Zoo’s water feature with an island of monkeys scampering around a Blue Heron. School kids and families take it all in. There is a long zip line called the Soaring Eagle, a carousel, and a train, all geared to make the most of a zoo experience for both the young and old.

In 2013, Joel became the Vice President and General Curator at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. I lived in New Orleans after college and have taken family trips to the Audubon Zoo many times when my kids were young. My cousin’s daughter's marriage reception was held at the Audubon Zoo, so Joel’s ascension up the respected hierarchy of the zoo world is impressive.

There, he also managed the Freeport McMoran Audubon Species Survival Center and coordinated cooperative efforts between the Audubon Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Global. It was called the Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife, with a focus on breeding hoofstock like antelope and giraffes. “The purpose was to create sustainable populations for zoos and species which are becoming less common in zoo collections.”

After six years at the Audubon Zoo, Joel got wind of an opportunity to open a brand new zoo in Gulf Shores, Alabama. “There’s been a zoo in Gulf Shores since 1989. It has been evacuated three times because of flooding from hurricanes, including Ivan and Katrina, which proved to be very destructive. “It’s a real challenge to evacuate zoo animals safely.” A documentary by Animal Planet was filmed about the evacuations called The Little Zoo That Could.

Because of what the zoo had gone through, there was a strong community effort to move the zoo out of harm's way. They created a Zoo Foundation that is a registered 501-3c private nonprofit, and its board began the process of finding a suitable location. Clyde Weir donated 25 acres where the zoo is now located, and another 73 acres of raw land is available for future expansion. “As a zoo designer, it was a blank piece of paper,” Joel tells me.

In March 2018, construction began. Two years later, in March 2020, the ribbon was cut, and the new zoo that he had worked so hard on, opened. One week later it was closed due to the pandemic. With lots of restrictions in place, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was able to reopen on May 23, 2020. It was an inauspicious start, to say the least, and “we had to change our business practices dramatically,” says Joel.

The Zoo has plenty to offer visitors including the Lemur, Kangaroo, and Sloth Adventures, and Giraffe Feeding Experiences. “We have a popular collection and a wide variety of animals and species. It’s a cross-section of carnivores, reptiles, primates, avian, and hoofed animals.” There are about 300 animals and 120 different species. 

You may have read that the zoo lost its tigers to old age in the last year or so. “Our two tigers had been at the Gulf Coast Zoo since they were cubs, and lived to be 19 years old, which is a long life for a tiger. We are in the process of procuring new tigers from another zoo.” 

“This year’s school groups have been fantastic,” Joel tells me. “I love seeing kids come to visit. That’s what it’s all about, children laughing, smiling while they are learning.” He tells me that the banks and ponds at the zoo have been left to grow wild to be a food source and to support pollinators, and bee hives on the grounds. Honey harvested is sold at the gift shop. 

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is truly stunning. They host special events throughout the year including Hops for Habitat held the first weekend of November. This “Zoo Brew” for those 21 and older offers over 40 different craft beers for tasting and Island Air’s renowned BBQ team donates the food for General Admission guests. 

This Fall, VIP guests were treated to food from the new on-site Savannah Restaurant. The event raises $25,000 to $30,000 each year and the funds are used to support conservation research regionally. “We don’t have a conservation program on site, so we try to support the efforts of others doing research that helps our mission. Longleaf pine restoration that supports the red-cockaded woodpecker, pine snake, and gopher tortoise populations, is one of the projects we support.”

The premier fundraiser is Art on the Wild Side, where art created by the animals themselves is auctioned. It’s finger painting, if you will, by hoofed animals, snakes, and even alligators. They have animal-painted Margarita glasses to purchase as well. “It’s a very creative weeklong process by our staff and the animals,” says Joel. This event brings the Zoo about $50,000. Amazing!

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has 50 staff members and it costs $6 million annually to operate. They rely on admission fees, fundraisers, and private donations to cover costs. Annual visitation is anywhere from 200,000 to 235,000 people. Events throughout the year include World Giraffe Day in June, Big Cat Week in August, and Black Friday Membership Specials followed closely by Giving Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

There are several Zoo Memberships available to individuals, families, and even grandparents. What a wonderful way to spend the day when the grandkids are visiting! “With two playgrounds, Zoo Memberships are the best deal in town.” There is a wonderful gift shop that’s a hit with all ages. If time is a concern, Joel tells me you can have a great experience with a two-hour visit.

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a tremendous cultural attraction for the Scenic 98 Coastal area. We are fortunate to have the capable leadership of Joel Hamilton leading the way. If you haven’t already, please go visit and consider becoming an annual member. Look for upcoming events on their website, and do something really cool and buy an original piece of art created by one of the residents at the zoo!

Thanks, Joel. That was fun, and we are extremely lucky to have you here!