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.

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.

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.

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.

We catch up with Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) executive director, Julia Wagner following their deployment to south Florida immediately after hurricane Ian made landfall. Julia shares what the team discovered, and how member zoo and aquarium facilities both in the region and from several states away were quick to provide resources and expertise to help facilities devastated by flooding, power loss, downed trees and damaged structures and fencing.

Less than 24 hours after the near category 5 strength hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida, Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) executive director, Julia Wagner, was already booked on a flight to help the region's zoos and aquariums. Julia describes the consortium of over 100 zoological facilities nationwide who have signed on to lend assistance, staffing, expertise, and other resources whenever facilities request help following natural and made-made disasters or incidents.

According to its website, Zoo Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) provides support to zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and other exotic animal businesses before, during, and after significant incidents. ZDR3 director, Julia Wagner, describes how this peer-to-peer support organization came to be as several facilities sent supplies and staff to aid others severely damaged in the wake of natural disasters like recent hurricanes.