Lemurs Are Enjoying Their Formerly Hurricane-Damaged Forest

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, spawning a deadly tornado outbreak, and causing widespread flooding and mass evacuations. 

At the Lemur Conservation Foundation (LCF) in Myakka, FL, the storm toppled trees on fences that allow the lemurs to free-roam in their forest habitats. The staff followed their standard protocol, safely securing the lemurs in their indoor housing before the storm. 

When the storm passed, the lemurs had access to outdoor enclosures connected to their buildings. But they could not be released back to their forest habitats until the fences were repaired.

A fallen tree damaged a fence and part of an outdoor lemur enclosure attached to their indoor housing. ZDR3 Network responders cut the tree away from the enclosure. LCF Curator Meredith Hinton is observing the lemurs. 

ZDR3 Executive Director Julia Wilder and two other staff members were already working on a response in Florida and quickly headed to LCF. ZDR3 Network disaster responders from Fort Worth Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, and Myakka Elephant Ranch soon arrived with heavy equipment and chainsaws to cut and move the trees. LCF Curator Meredith Hinton said it would have taken her small staff months to do the work the responders finished in a few days.

ZDR3 Network responders worked alongside LCF staff to clear downed trees from a forest habitat. 

Hurricane Ian did even more damage to the LCF forest and fences in 2022, so their staff well understands how to prepare for storm season—which is “always a time of high anxiety,” says Executive Director Deborah Millman. “With staff’s diligent preparations, LCF is as prepared as we can be, which is some comfort. We’re also relieved to know that ZDR3 is available should another disaster strike.” 

We have deep empathy for the facilities impacted by the record-breaking storms that hit Florida in 2022 and 2024, and recognize that consecutive disasters take a unique toll on a facility and region. “It is a pleasure and honor to be called back at a location at which we’ve previously served,” says ZDR3 Executive Director Julia Wilder. “Everyone involved has a better understanding of how the process works and who they’re working with; ZDR3 often has stronger resources available since this scenario has been previously exercised; and there is more known to ZDR3 and responding teams about the facility and what to expect, allowing for more accurate resource acquisition and efficiency in providing support.” 

Above, two ring-tailed lemurs are sunning themselves in their forest habitat.

Two red-ruffed lemurs enjoying their forest habitat.

Photo courtesy of LCF.

We have maintained a strong connection with LCF’s director and curator since 2022, and were in communication with them in the days before and after Hurricane Milton. “This allowed us to better anticipate potential needs,” Julia explains. “The bonus for our team: we got to see familiar faces, both human and animal!”