Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery

ZDR3 is the only zoological disaster response organization in the United States.

Four people in work pants and lime green shirts that say "San Antonio Zoo Crew" are facing away from the camera, looking up at a huge fallen tree. The tree is diagonally across the background of the image and appears to be leaning heavily on a chain-
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A deer is jumping out of a trailer through an open door. A man in a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans is standing behind a chainlink fence, watching.
Two people in light-colored shirts stand inside a flooded animal habitat. They are trying to get a bird to come down from an upper perch. The man on the left is holding a crate.
Four people work in a wooded area to clear downed trees. They are wearing high-visibility neon gear and appropriate safety headwear. A bright red piece of heavy machinery is stationary in the background.
Two men are clearing a big fallen tree in a forested area. One is driving a piece of heavy machinery that is holding on to the trunk of a downed tree, another sits astride the top of the downed tree to work on it.
Two men in grey work clothes and shirts that say "San Antonio Zoo" on the back are standing next to an animal habitat. They are fixing something inside an electric box at the corner of the habitat. Inside the low metal fence of the habitat, a very la
An animal crate is being loaded into a trailer using a green piece of heavy machinery. Two men stand next to the crate and are watching it load.
Two women crouch inside an animal habitat. The woman on the left, in grey, is holding a mid-sized yellow and black tortoise off the ground. The woman on the right, in dark blue, is prepping a needle to use for medical care.

Why does the zoological industry need a specialized disaster response organization?

As natural disasters and abnormal weather events continue to intensify and increase in frequency, zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and similar businesses are exposed to heightened risk. Zoological facilities maintain disaster preparedness plans to safeguard their irreplaceable collections of wildlife and exotic animals, but severe situations can overwhelm even the most well-prepared facility’s resources and recovery capacity.

This is where ZDR3 comes in: we lead a whole-industry network of experts that provides both remote support and boots-on-the-ground response to businesses who request assistance in their time of need.

A picture of a workstation for ZDR3 inside of an office. Three computer monitors are visible: the top one is a widescreen and shows a map of the gulf coast of the United States with a hurricane trajectory visible. A ZDR3 logo is in the background.

ZDR3 responds upon request, independent of facility accreditation or affiliation.

As an industry-led mutual aid effort, ZDR3’s network provides support to zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and other non-domestic animal businesses before, during, and after significant incidents.

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The ZDR3 Network

We employ a small team of dedicated personnel who work year-round to monitor hazards, maintain and grow our response network, and support network readiness.

Our Response Network consists of zoological facilities and related businesses throughout the U.S. and its territories who have signed mutual aid agreements. All ZDR3 Network members donate their time and resources when assisting impacted facilities.

Additionally, ZDR3 proactively collaborates with a wide range of government, nonprofit, and private entities in relevant sectors to enhance the response capacity of our network.

A map of the United States generated using google maps, with purple pins showing the location of ZDR3 Network members. There are over 200 pins on the map.

ZDR3’s growing Response Network has more than 200 member facilities in 40 US states and territories as of April 2025.

Joining ZDR3 is free, and there is no cost to requesting aid during a disaster.

If you are the owner or representative of a zoological facility that is experiencing a disaster and is in need of immediate aid, contact our emergency line here.

A stock image of a male lion and a cub. The male lion s laying on a rock looking towards the camera, and the cub is nuzzling up underhead his chin.

“In my role as a disaster responder, I am privileged to assure colleagues across the zoological industry that they are part of a huge community willing and able to assist. I take pride in the fact that every response offers all of us an opportunity to demonstrate that we take care of our own.

Together we're building a stronger, more resilient future for zoological institutions and the animals in their care.

We are Stronger Together.”

- Executive Director Julia Wilder

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