What a Winter!

Winter 2025-2026 was record-breaking for many zoological facilities across the U.S. It was certainly the most active winter storm season ZDR3 experienced since we were formed in 2019. 

Winter Storm Fern - January

We now track weather events with Baron Weather Logic. Red=ZDR3 Network facilities. Blue=Snow. Pink=freezing rain.

This year we boosted our situational awareness with Baron Weather Logic, which provides real-time radar, storm tracking, predictive modeling, and severe weather alerts for specific locations. 

Fern was a massive storm that was predicted to dump snow, sleet, freezing rain, and ice across a significant swath of the country. Had the forecast for potential power loss, tree collapse, and general destabilization come to fruition, the impacts at some facilities would have been comparable to the impact of a high-category hurricane.

That led us to reach out to more than 100 ZDR3 Network facilities to assure them we were monitoring conditions and were available 24/7, and to remind them how to contact us if they needed assistance with preparation and/or response. We asked response teams throughout the country to stand by for possible deployments, including those who could provide generators and other resources for facilities that lost power.

We received two requests for support. One facility was concerned about significant damage from the storm, so we put a nearby team on standby for potential immediate assistance, and another team from outside the region on standby for longer-term relief. We had generators on standby for another facility that was concerned about losing power after their primary and secondary power sources were compromised. Neither facility required on-scene assistance, but were grateful to know ZDR3 Network members were available with resources.

Winter Storm Gianna - January

This storm evolved soon after Fern. One of our concerns was that its trajectory suggested it would affect some of the areas still struggling to dig out and resume normal operations. Experience has taught us that once a region has been hit by an adverse weather event, facilities are weakened, staff is exhausted, and they could face additional destruction. For instance, trees that weren’t damaged or downed during an initial storm might succumb to a second one, while the ground is already saturated and trees are still iced. We reached out to facilities in its path, and asked response teams to continue to be ready, if needed. 

Blizzard of 2026 - February

This storm was threatening the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions with extraordinary amounts of snow, even in areas where snowfall is common. Once again, we touched base with ZDR3 Network facilities to let them know we were monitoring and available 24/7.

The snow load from the blizzard caused a lynx enclosure’s roof to collapse. The lynx had already been moved out of that space, and is safe. Photo courtesy of Coastal Wilds.

Coastal Wilds, a zoological park in Delaware, faced record-breaking snowfall that impacted both their site and the entire region. The site lost power, then their generators began to fail, and a lynx enclosure’s roof collapsed under the weight of snow. The lynx, Sasha, had already been moved to a separate secure holding area, where she was safe for the duration of the storm and during habitat repairs. 

Within five hours of contacting ZDR3, a team from Plumpton Park Zoo arrived with two generators. Keystone Safari and Catoctin Wildlife Preserve remained on standby to assist with additional generators and enclosure reconstruction. Fortunately, Coastal Wilds was able to quickly stabilize and resume their recovery process. 

We applaud the leadership and team at Coastal Wilds for their preparedness efforts on behalf of their animals, and their actions to rally additional support both through collaboration with ZDR3 and effective messaging via social media and media channels.

Educational Outreach

If you are in an area where snow is common, consider downloading the Snow Load Awareness Guide to add to your contingency plan.

ZDR3 has been busy working to expand the information we provide zoological facilities about preparing for and managing disasters of all types. The winter storms honed our focus and led us to produce a safety reminder about alternate heat sources; a blog post, “Cold Weather & Ice Preparedness Considerations for Zoological Facilities”; and a snow load awareness guide. 

In coming months, you will see us roll out more planning, preparedness, and readiness information and materials.

Other Noteworthy Events

Throughout the first few months of winter, we also had wildfire and tornado alerts and standbys, and provided remote response to an aquarium that flooded. We are grateful to Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators (AALSO) for providing this facility with strategic guidance, support in navigating aquarium life support system elements, and recovery planning.

During widespread weather events, public agencies appropriately focus on community-wide needs. ZDR3 exists to ensure that the people responsible for animal care are not navigating those pressures alone, especially when their responsibilities do not stop for snow, wind, or power outages. 

Because when infrastructure is strained, it is not just equipment at risk. It is the emotional weight carried by animal care teams who feel responsible for every life in their care. Resilience is not built in the moment of crisis — it is built in the connections that carry us through it.

We Are Stronger Together

Photo courtesy of Pine Meadow Alpacas. See more shots of the blizzard in this Facebook post.