Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)

There are 3 photos in this graphic. Upper left: a poster showing disaster response work the San Antonio Zoo team participate in after Hurricane Laura in 2020. It sits beside a ramp leading into a response trailer with some gear visible. Lower left: SAZ Director of Facilities Adam Malstaff (L) gives a tour of the trailer to two other men (R). Behind them are labeled bins of response resources. Upper right: An interior shot of the trailer showing organized response tools and other resources, such as gas cans for power tools.

We are Stronger Together

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether #sanantoniozoo #zoologicalassociationofamerica

Photo includes a pickup truck with both the San Antonio zoo and ZDR3 logos. Behind the truck is a trailer with a door open and steps leading into it for people to walk in and tour this mobile disaster response unit. Beside and behind the trailer are posters showing past responses in which the SAZ team has participated.

Thanks to the San Antonio Zoo for their willingness to assist others after disasters. And for sharing their vast knowledge and experience with other response teams, most recently at the Zoological Association of America’s Annual Conference.

Thank you to our new Tier 4 Sponsor, Dakota Zoo! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for us to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities before, during, & after disasters.
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse

A fennec fox—with its big, wide ears upright—is lying down, with its tail wrapped around to its front paw, looking at the camera.

No facility is too small to join our network; joining does not obligate you to provide personnel or other resources for any response; and there is no cost to join!

We are Stronger Together.

Learn more: www.zdr3.org

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether

A fox, facing right, is walking through grass. The red, black, and white ZDR3 logo is in front of the fox.

Click on link to read: myemail.constantcontact.com/ZDR3-Newslet...

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether

Thank you to our Tier 5 Sponsors!

Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for ZDR3 to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, and sanctuaries before, during, and after disasters and crises.

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

In early November, our Director made a virtual presentation to the attendees at the Zoological Registrar’s Association (ZDA) Annual Conference.

We learn so much from talking to you. And we hope you learned a few things from us, too!

We are Stronger Together

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

Our Operations Director then attended the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) National Conference in Phoenix, where she presented “Safeguarding Species and Self:A Zoo Keeper’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness and Response” and led a tabletop exercise.

The photo on the left includes a ZDR3 poster titled "How We Help" that includes information about disaster response. Beside it, a man in a gray shirt is leaning against a table talking to a women in a black shirt. The photo on the right includes a woman in a gray shirt with a ZDR3 logo who has her arm around a woman in blue. They are each wearing AAZK conference name badge.

Our staff enjoyed meeting many of you at conferences this fall! In early October, we attended the ZAA Annual Conference, where our director won an award www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog.... One ZDR3 staffperson captured his first conference experience in a blog post www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...

Photo of male lion, looking to the right

Why should your zoological facility join? ZDR3 has built a network to strengthen & coordinate a tradition of inner-industry support. We do the upfront work that allows a network of industry peers to provide safe, knowledgeable, & viable incident response. Learn more: www.zdr3.org/how-to-join-...

Your generosity reached Jamaica’s zoological facilities when they needed it most. Together, supporters contributed over $8,700, providing vital relief for animal care teams working to rebuild & recover. Learn more: myemail.constantcontact.com/ZDR3-Update-...

In an era when some people are critical of zoos and aquariums, educators demonstrate their value. They can make an enormous impact on their visitors’ experience and ongoing love for zoological facilities.

#IZEday2025 #zooaquariumeducator #zoo #aquarium

We respect educators’ deep knowledge of the species they showcase, and their enthusiasm for sharing it.

People standing in front of an aquarium tank, viewing a variety of fish.

November 13 is International Day of Zoo & Aquarium Educators. The goal, according to the International Zoo Educators Association, is to “spotlight conservation education in zoos and aquariums as fundamental to mobilizing the public to conservation action around the world.”

The red, black, and white ZDR3 logo is in the upper left. The International Animal Exchange logo, which includes an illustration of a zebra, is spotlighted in the middle of the graphic from a light in the upper right corner.

Thank you to our new Tier 4 Sponsor, International Animal Exchange! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for us to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, and sanctuaries before, during, & after disasters & crises.
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

Donate to ZDR3 Help support ZDR3 by donating or sharing with your friends.

If you’d like to help before this round of fund distribution closes, please contribute by November 12, 2025. Recovery isn’t linear—it takes time, coordination, and compassion. Together, we can bring hope, help, and healing to Jamaica. 💚🖤💛

Here is the link to donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?fbcl...

100% of funds raised are being distributed to facilities housing non-domesticated animals impacted by the hurricane to ensure they are sent where they are most needed.

Recovery funds are now being disbursed to impacted facilities as supply challenges evolve. After disasters like this, financial support is the most critical lifeline as it reaches people and animals quickly where help is needed most.

At ZDR3, compassion and action go hand in hand. We’re monitoring zoological and sanctuary facility needs, staying engaged in collaborative calls to strengthen situational awareness, and assisting remotely with recovery coordination and resource support.

Illustration of a multicolored bird flying in front of a multicolored globe.

Hurricane Melissa has left devastating impacts across Jamaica—damaging homes, infrastructure, and lives, both human and animal.

#jamaica #hurricanemelissa

Donate to ZDR3 Help support ZDR3 by donating or sharing with your friends.

We will share more about recovery efforts as assessments are conducted and needs better identified. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this hurricane.

We are Stronger Together

Here is the link to donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?host...

ZDR3 will continue accepting funds and distributing 100% of funds collected through partners that have working relationships with facilities housing non-domesticated animals impacted by the hurricane to ensure they are distributed where they are most needed.

Fort Worth Zoo staff have been in contact with the Hope Zoo in Kingston. Hurricane Melissa left them without power, & their generator has failed. But the animals & personnel have been reported safe.
The crocodile sanctuary in eastern Jamaica also reported that all animals & people are safe.

On the left, Jamaican flag above map of Jamaica. On the right, the ZDR3 logo

Because ZDR3 is a U.S.-based organization, we only coordinate personnel deployments within the United States. But we recognize that people throughout the world are concerned about the people and animals that call Jamaica home.
#hurricanemelissa #jamaica #zoo #sanctuary #wildlife #iguana #crocodile

Donate to ZDR3 Help support ZDR3 by donating or sharing with your friends.

Our thoughts are with everyone in Jamaica as they brace for Hurricane Melissa. 💛

Here is the link to donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?host...

Collaborative efforts are underway to organize financial support for impacted zoological facilities. ZDR3 will be accepting funds & distributing 100% of funds collected through ZDR3 Network members that have working relationships or partnerships with organizations impacted by the hurricane.

Donate to ZDR3 Help support ZDR3 by donating or sharing with your friends.

Our thoughts are with everyone in Jamaica as they brace for Hurricane Melissa. 💛

Here is the link to donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?host...

Jamaican flag with sun behind it.

ZDR3 is a U.S.-based organization, and our responders only deploy domestically. As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, we are mindful of the potential impacts to animal facilities on the island and recognize that many in our network will want to help.

The all-white Long Manor logo includes an illustration of a giraffe.

Thank you to our new Tier 4 Sponsor, Longneck Manor!

Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for ZDR3 to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, and sanctuaries before, during, and after disasters and crises.

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife