In celebration of World Ostrich Day on Feb. 2, the Alabama Gulf Coast announced that the zoo will be adding two new ostriches, Poppy and Clover, to its zoo family.

Per the release, the ostriches arrived at the zoo at the end of 2023, and have been in a special rearing yard of the exhibit while they acclimate and continue to grow.

"Now at 6-months old, they are able to join the zoo’s existing ostrich Netty, and giraffe Benjamin and Akayla in the zoo’s giraffe exhibit," the release stated. "Animal care team members describe Poppy as the most outgoing of the two, she is very inquisitive about her surroundings and the first to investigate new things. Clover is more laid back and tends to follow Poppy’s lead. Both love to start their day dancing and running together to stretch their growing legs."

According to the release, while ostriches are the largest and heaviest of the flightless birds, they make up for their lack of wings with the ability to run up to 43 miles per hour.

“We are excited to announce these two new additions to our zoo collection,” said Joel Hamilton, Executive Zoo Director.
“They are very entertaining to watch as they continue to grow and interact with Netty and the giraffe, and we invite everyone to visit the zoo and learn more about them.”

Guests can visit Poppy and Clover at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.org.