Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is one of the "must visit" locations for visitors and residents alike. It has provided animal conservation lessons and amazing, up-close animal encounters since 1989. Now it will be hosting two very special visitors for the next six months.

Two female cheetahs, named Taj and Shani, will be residing at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo for approximately six months.

This Thursday, today, the cheetahs will be formally introduced to the media and local audience. “This is an exciting time for the zoo, as it’s the very first time we have had the opportunity to house cheetahs. Known for their speed, cheetahs are the fastest known land mammal. While they are large cats, they don't roar. They meow and purr more like a house cat. But they are definitely not house cats,” said Joel M. Hamilton, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Executive Director. “It is our hope that our guests will see these cheetahs and be inspired to help support their conservation and increase awareness of the world around us."

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was chosen by the Metro Richmond Zoo as a Zoological Association of America’s (ZAA) accredited facility to become home to these two cheetahs who are part of the ZAA Animal Management Plan (AMP). The ZAA Cheetah AMP establishes a valuable genetic and reproduction program to protect the future of this endangered species. Cheetahs now number fewer than 7,000 animals in the wild. Having these cats at the Zoo allows us the opportunity to teach our guests about these magnificent animals. The Zoo has supported the Cheetah AMP and cheetah conservation in Africa for several years. 

The cheetahs have been adjusting well to their new surroundings and can often be found enjoying the shade of the palm trees in their exhibit.

The zoo's management team would like to give a special thanks to all the donors who participated in the Zoo’s Spring fundraiser, a portion of those funds raised allowed the zoo to arrange for the transport of these new animals. You can visit Taj and Shani daily, 9 am – 4 pm, at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. For more information or to support the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo visit alabamagulfcoastzoo.com.