The Little Zoo that Could

Gr 4 Up—Previously seen as a 14-episode documentary series on Animal Planet, this four-disc set offers viewers an opportunity to absorb all of the hardships, struggles, and small victories endured by the small staff of a nonprofit community zoo. Nestled on 17 acres near the beach front coastline of Alabama is the unique and charming Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, with 270 exotic animals and a devoted staff of 28. The first episode begins with the announcement of a Category-4 hurricane—2004's Hurricane Ivan—headed straight for the Alabama coastline and the zoo's decision to evacuate all of the animals, a dangerous undertaking for all. Viewers observe how this massive operation was carried out and the sacrifices that were made to save the animals. Ten months after Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Dennis hit the region and not far behind was Hurricane Katrina. The series does an excellent job of detailing the ways that the staff prepared for another exodus. The program also captures the massive rebuilding efforts after Katrina. However, there are moments, episode to episode, of unnecessary repetition. This series probably would work better for a public library, but for a course on animal care or on the impact of extreme weather, the episodes on the first disc may be useful for class study.