Newsroom

A severe blizzard left Coastal Wilds Zoo without power for 44 hours, causing significant damage to the facility.

During the outage, staff used generators to maintain heat and ensure animal safety. The storm brought down large tree limbs, damaged fencing and caused a complete roof collapse at the zoo’s lynx enclosure under heavy snow and high winds.

Following the recent winter storm impacting the Northeastern United States, ZDR3 (Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery) has mobilized to support Coastal Wilds, a ZAA-accredited zoological park, after receiving a formal request for assistance.

On a good day, running a zoological facility includes plenty of day-to-day challenges. Responding to natural and human-caused disasters adds layers of complications. That’s why Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) was formed in 2019; we coordinate zoological professionals to assist colleagues before, during, and after disasters. Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos have played an important role from the beginning.

ZDR3 has been in communication with ZDR3 Network facilities in the impacted region. As of 7/7/2025, 6:30AM EST, no ZDR3 Network members have reported outstanding needs. Multiple ZDR3 teams are located in the immediate region and are on standby if needed for deployment. This includes facility teams, ZDR3 Board Members, and one ZDR3 staff member. Several teams have watercraft capabilities of varying capacity.

One fact that stands out to us: how many ZDR3 Network members are also members of, and/or accredited by ZAA. We appreciate the support ZAA has demonstrated as a partner organization.

When we compiled our 2024 after-action reports we were struck with how many of the facilities that sent disaster response teams were from ZAA accredited facilities or led by ZAA members.

The April issue of Animal Keepers’ Forum includes an article featuring several American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) chapters that supported their peers impacted by disasters.