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Animals stay at Tampa Zoo despite evacuation zone
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Animals kept in buildings and habitats that are resistant to hurricane damage
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Zoo prepares additional supplies and staff for storm
Written by Rich McKay
Oct. 9 – As millions of people evacuate Florida’s Gulf Coast, African elephants, Caribbean flamingos, hippos and about 1,000 other animals are surviving Hurricane Milton at a Tampa zoo.
For many animals, the storm means they have to give up their comfortable daily accommodations, but even within the mandatory evacuation zone, they don’t have to leave the Tampa Zoo’s 70 acres, seniors say. Tiffany Burns said. Director of Animal Programs.
Some of the animals have to share shuttered barns or wait out the weather in boxes squeezed into the zoo’s dozen or so hurricane-proof buildings.
Some remain in their habitat. The crocodile is unfazed by Milton’s rage, and spends most of his time dozing at the bottom of the pond.
Despite Hurricane Milton being described by weather forecasters as a devastating and potentially deadly storm, Burns said there was “nothing bothering them.”
She said there is no need to transport animals in trailers to other zoos or sanctuaries.
“We’re in Florida,” Burns said. “We know about hurricanes. We just have to wait and see how big they are and respond accordingly.”
The zoo was not damaged when Hurricane Helen hit Florida’s Gulf Coast about two weeks ago. But Burns said that, to her knowledge, the zoo has not suffered any direct damage since it started in the 1930s.
Forecasters said Milton could sail straight across Tampa Bay, just a few miles from the zoo at Lowry Park, just north of downtown Tampa.
Zookeepers finished corralling all the animals on Tuesday, she said. The Caribbean flamingos required special care and were herded into canvas chutes to be guided to the trailer and then transported in flocks to the barn.
The elephants and giraffes were given extra hay and water in case the barn became blocked by debris.
Veterinarians and maintenance workers are among the dozen or so zookeepers weathering the storm with their furry and feathered charges.
The zoo is supplied with a generator and fuel, as well as additional food and supplies for all creatures in case the zoo is closed.
Burns said different species respond differently to large storms. Flocks of macaws (a type of long-tailed parrot) can get excited and need extra branches to chew and shred, she said. They are also kept in a safe room where they can fly around and perch freely.
Some orangutans may hide under blankets, but others may play normally, she said. Baby animals feel safe next to their mother. Owls and armadillos love wooden boxes during storms, giving them the security of being hidden in a cave.
“Our animals are absolutely resilient,” Burns says. “Over the years, they continue to amaze us, and our team is great at identifying animals that need special care.”
“We try to minimize stress for them,” she says.
This article was generated from the Automata news agency feed without any modifications to the text.
