Blizzard causes damage at Coastal Wilds
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.
Peer Support Network Mobilizes to Assist Coastal Wild Following Winter Storm
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.
AZA Zoos Assist Colleagues Dealing with Disasters
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 is Prepared to Assist with Flooding in Central Texas
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.
ZAA Members Step Up to Assist Others
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.
AAZK Chapters Support Their Peers Impacted By Disaster
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.
Wildlife center struggles to return after hurricanes
Dealt a double blow from two hurricanes, the Peace River Wildlife Center is coming back with some hard work and help from supporters, volunteers and other wildlife rescues and rehabilitation entities that have become a network of newfound friends.
PODCAST: Los Angeles Fires
Julia Wilder, Executive Director of ZDR3 (Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery) returns to discuss the unfolding fires in Los Angeles. Julia describes how the risks and response to wild land fires are different in nature and immediacy compared to the hurricane disasters ZDR3 has been called in to assist with as recently as this past fall.
WGCU - Peace River Wildlife digs out after Helene and Milton's one-two punch
Tricia LaPointe, executive director of the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, and her team have been trying to put the center back together after being hit this fall back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton.
VIDEO: Peace River Wildlife Center makes progress as they build back after Helene and Milton
Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, FL, is moving forward and are hopeful to have their education center back open before the new year. They have removed the buildings at the education center and will bring in temporary structures so they can bring the residents home and open back up.
Zoological Recovery From Helene and Milton
The Executive Director and co-founder of Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3), Julia Wilder returns to discuss her organization's efforts to assist zoological facilities in the wake of back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton.With nearly 200 USDA licensed animal facilities joined together to provide mutual aid to institutions in distress, ZDR3 has already surpassed all expectations in its 5-year history.
Renewed hope for Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda after storm damage
Earlier this month we showed you how Hurricane Milton decimated the Peace River Wildlife Center, leaving the organization with no choice but to close indefinitely. Even though their buildings are going to have to be demolished, there’s now growing hope for everyone involved with the organization.
VIDEO: Peace River Wildlife Center unable to reopen after Milton
Hurricane Milton left a wildlife refuge in Charlotte County almost unrecognizable - just take a look you can see the damage all across the Peace River Wildlife Center.
Local animal park ready to aid zoos facing hurricane challenges
Keystone Safari is preparing to aid zoos in southern states that fell victim to the hurricane. Zookeeper Brian Shaffer said the zoo is part of an organization know as ZDR3, or Zoological Disaster Response.
Never Too Late to Prepare for Disaster
Hurricane Beryl's effect on the Texas power grid still being felt by millions of people reminds us all that natural disasters like wind, fire, or flood can can occur anywhere with devastating consequences. Fortunately the team at Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3) has experience helping facilities plan for and if needed, respond to emergencies that can disrupt the lives of animals, staff, and the surrounding community.
Disaster Planning
The Executive Director of Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3), Julia Matson Wagner, returns on the eve of this coming season for natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. After several years focusing on providing immediate disaster response and support for affected zoological facilities, ZDR3 has grown in scope in terms of the number of participating facilities and expanded educational outreach.
Prepare for Zoological Disasters: ZDR3 Regional Response Readiness Workshop Will be Held in April
The next ZDR3 Regional Response Readiness workshop, hosted by Texas State Aquarium, is being held April 9-10, 2024. It is for FEMA Region 6 (TX, OK, LA, NM, & AR), though participants from other regions are welcome. A facility does not need to be a member of ZDR3 to participate.
John Ball Zoo Team Trains to Help Other Zoos During Natural Disasters
When a disaster strikes zoos across the country, John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, Mich., is there to help. John Ball Zoo is part of the Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) Network, the largest zoological disaster response organization in the United States. John Ball Zoo is the second zoo in Michigan to join the ZDR3 Response Network and is on call to respond to disasters due to weather, financial difficulties, and other traumatic events.
‘We’re a family’: John Ball Zoo working with others to help in case of disasters
When disaster strikes, John Ball Zoo is ready to put on its best superhero cape and jump into action. Last year, the Grand Rapids zoo joined the Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery Network, or ZDR3, which connects zoos and other organizations that house exotic animals in 32 states and allows them to rely on one another if a problem happens.
From Ride Out to Recovery
How Zoological Disaster Responders Assist Their Colleagues in Need. When Hurricane Ian blasted through Florida in August 2022, it left 152 people dead and almost $113 billion in damage. Massive local, state, federal, and nonprofit resources were devoted to human welfare, and news stories focused on countless tales of human tragedies.