Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery

When a state experiences natural disasters, such as wildfires in California and Colorado or hurricanes in Florida, people and their pets evacuate to the nearest safe zone. What happens to the animals in zoos, sanctuaries, and aquariums? Are they left to fend for themselves? Are staff expected to brave the dangerous conditions to continue their care without support? Thankfully, the answer is no. This is where Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery, ZDR3, steps in.

ZDR3 responders managing downed trees after a hurricane

ZDR3, a nonprofit organization, saw a hole in the care of exotic animals and their welfare when natural disasters strike, and made a plan to combat this. They are the only animal disaster response group that specializes in non-domestic animals, with their services supporting zoos, sanctuaries, and aquariums, as well as other non-domestic animal businesses. Before ZDR3 came to be, these facilities in the United States did not have access to comprehensive assistance before, during, or after a disaster hit; 2005's Hurricane Katrina's impact on New Orleans and 2017's Hurricane Harvey in Texas were proof that something needed to change. Most collaborations during these major hurricanes were informal, chaotic, and only took place after the disasters took their toll on facilities in their path. Due to the lack of centralized coordination, some facilities that were impacted struggled with transporting the animals in their care to safety, had trouble getting animals food and care, and had staffing shortages. This is when the idea of ZDR3 began. In 2019, ZDR3 was founded. Since then, they have offered their assistance during a multitude of natural disasters, totaling over 46,830 miles traveled to assist facilities.

ZDR3 begins mapping storms when it is named and begins forming into a potential threat. During this time ZDR3 staff reach out to facilities that could be impacted, and staff and volunteers are strategically placed in order to best respond including mapping out evacuation routes that will allow the least amount of risk in order to keep themselves and wildlife safe.  ZDR3 also remotely coordinates with facilities to manage the supplies they need when facing the disaster, as well as damage assessment and clean-up in the aftermath.

ZDR3 Facility Members outside of the impacted region are able to organize donations and staff to assist their impacted colleagues. Donations can be food, clean drinking water, fuel, or other necessary equipment. It is true that anything helps during times of crisis, but without coordination and organization it is all too easy for things to slip through the cracks. This is where ZDR3 has stepped in to offer expertise and experience for facilities in need.

In order to become a member of the ZDR3 network, the owner or director of an institution may contact ZDR3 and request a Network Facility Memorandum of Understanding. This formally establishes terms for a collaborative effort amongst facilities to temporarily house animals. If a facility is unable to sign the standard MOU they may still be able to help with a Supporting Facility agreement. A Supporting Facility can donate resources to an affected zoo or sanctuary.

One facility that could not field a crew giving donated animal food to a response team headed to an impacted site

ZDR3 offers several different ways to monetarily support their mission, which anyone can do! From being a Friend of ZDR3 to making a one time donation in memory of a loved one, anyone can help support this important disaster relief effort. Facilities can also host fundraisers, making a difference by hosting their own profit raising for ZDR3.

All of this to say, ZDR3 offers assistance in an unmeasurable way. From assisting with transport to cleaning up debris or repairing enclosures, the work they do is invaluable to the facilities they assist.