Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)

A ring-tailed lemur is leaping against a blue sky; there are trees in the background. Below are the black, white, and yellow Endangered Primate Foundation logo and the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo.

People & organizations moved to support ZDR3 have several options. The Endangered Primate Foundation chose a recurring monthly donation. We are grateful to them & to everyone else who supports us! Learn how you can become a donor www.zdr3.org/support-zdr3

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

This free online webinar, presented by the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Safety Committee and Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3), will discuss "A Keeper's Role in a Natural Disaster" on February 26th. Email safety@aazk.org for more information.

#zoo #aquarium

A smiling man in a baseball cap, sunglasses, a gray shirt, and khaki shorts is standing beside a colorful truck. He is holding a box of bananas with a smiling woman in sunglasses, a green shirt, and blue jeans. Behind them are two other men in front of a trailer connected to the truck, observing the handoff of bananas from the woman to the man.

ZDR3’s disaster responders are peers helping peers. When a facility can’t send a crew, they can hand off resources for a damaged facility to a deploying team. Pictured: ZooWorld Panama City Beach providing animal diets to the San Antonio Zoo team as they prepared for deployment.
#zoo #aquarium

How to Join the ZDR3 Network — Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, And Recovery (ZDR3)

Learn more about becoming a member www.zdr3.org/how-to-join-...

A capybara is lying in the sand with its front legs outstretched in front of it, looking directly at the viewer. The red, white, and black ZDR3 logo is at the bottom of the graphic.

“Are we in the network?” “Did we finish joining?” We often receive these questions & understand that it is easy to lose track of an email, a piece of paper, or a document that hasn’t been finalized. Ask us about your status at admin@zdr3.org.

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse

At top is the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo beside two spotlights shining on two logos: on left, the Keystone Safari log includes a giraffe; on right, the Living Treasures Wild Animal Park logo includes a kangaroo. Stars sweep across the bottom of the graphic.

Thank you to Tier 1 Sponsors Keystone Safari & Living Treasures Wild Animal Park! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for ZDR3 to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, & sanctuaries before, during, & after disasters and crises.

#zoo #aquarium

Winter Storm Gianna is expected to bring snow, wind, and coastal flooding on the East Coast. Here’s how to contact us if your facility needs assistance www.zdr3.org/contact

We are Stronger Together

#winterstormgianna #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

A polar bear is floating in water, looking at the camera. At top are 3 hearts beside the words "Thank you to the ZDR3 Network facilities willing to assist colleagues in need!" At the bottom it says, "We are Stronger Together," near the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo.

Before Winter Storm Fern, Crew Leads and Leadership at ZDR3 Network facilities across the country pledged teams and resources, including personnel, heavy equipment, and generators. These outpourings of support are what enables ZDR3 to commit assistance to potentially impacted facilities.

YouTube video by WFAA How North Texas zoos are protecting animals from the cold

At ZDR3, we are proud to see excellent information from zoological facilities across the country that explains how they keep their personnel and animals safe.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mYw...

We are Stronger Together

#winterstormfern #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

Zoological facilities & operations teams are important every day. During weather events, their role is mission-critical. They keep generators running, restore utilities, repair damage, & maintain safe conditions. Their work protects both people & animals.

#winterstormfern #zoo #aquarium #wildlife

A tiger cub in the snow, looking at the camera. On top left it says "We got some great advice from winter weather zoo pros!" On top right is the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo. At the bottom it says "We are Stronger Together."

At this time, we have not received any post-storm requests for assistance. But winter storms often generate needs after the initial event. Stay prepared with winter guidance from zoological professionals with cold weather experience.
www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...

#winterstormfern #zoo #wildlife

Photos are from Rescue at the Zoo, a book ZDR3 co-authored. Learn more about the book: www.arbordalepublishing.com/bookpage.php...

#winterstormfern #icestorm #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether

Beside the title, "Sending hugs to ride-out teams" is a cartoon of a heart hugging itself. There are 3 photos in this graphic. Top left shows birds in cages indoors, with heat lamps directed towards them. Bottom left shows giraffes being herded by animal keepers into indoor quarters. Photo on the right shows a sleeping bag on a platform beside a huge aquarium window with fish swimming near rocks.

Zoological facilities have been preparing to protect their staff and animals. During extreme cold, many of the animals are moved indoors, and staff hunker down with them to ride out the storm. Ride-out teams are an essential part of disaster preparation for many facilities.

ZDR3 is staying closely engaged with zoological facilities as Winter Storm Fern continues to impact the U.S. We will continue posting updates as we learn how the storm is impacting ZDR3 Network facilities.

#winterstormfern #icestorm #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse

#winterstormfern #icestorm
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether

A pack of wolves is walking single file through the snow.

ZDR3 is the only zoological disaster response organization in the U.S. Joining the network is free and there is no cost to request aid during a disaster.
Learn more: www.zdr3.org/how-to-join-...

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

#winterstormfern #icestorm #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether

Three men are lifting a damaged fence back into place beside a long dirt road lined with trees, including palm trees that suggest a Florida location. At the bottom, beside the tagline "We are Stronger Together" is the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo.

When we deploy a team to assist a devastated facility, they have been selected for their specific skills and resources. On our worst days, the most welcome assistance comes from those who best understand our unique needs.

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

An elephant stands in front of a large man-made pond in the midst of a beautiful enclosure that includes a lot of trees.

Read the ZDR3 2025 Impact Report to learn more about what we—as a community of professionals who protect the animals in our care—have accomplished, and what’s ahead. heyzine.com/flip-book/5a...

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #animalwelfare #conservation

📸: Fort Worth Zoo

📷 Fort Worth Zoo sent one of the most experienced zoological disaster responders in the U.S. to do needs assessments after Hurricane Ian damaged several facilities in Florida. Needs assessments allow ZDR3 staff to identify the best teams and resources to deploy.

We are Stronger Together

On the left, a man in a gray t-shirt and a baseball hat is writing on a legal pad. He is facing towards a tree that has been uprooted; there is an air conditioning unit on top of the root ball. The grass near the downed tree is partially submerged.

What happens if a ZDR3 Network member facility wants to offer assistance to a facility facing a disaster, but can’t send many staff members? Teams of all sizes & varied capabilities have value. There is no such thing as a team that’s “too small.” All help matters to the impacted institutions.

One positive outcome of a tragedy like this is the enduring relationships that are built as we all work together to protect impacted staff, animals, and facilities.

We are Stronger Together

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

The photo in this graphic features a veterinary clinician on the right, wearing dark scrubs and gloves, looking at a monitor above the patient, a raccoon that is lying on its back on a table, under anesthesia.

During the 2025 California wildfires, ZDR3 worked with facility leadership to assess risk, review evacuation triggers; identify staffing, transport, housing, life-support continuity, and specialized diet needs; and pre-align partners ready to assist.

Learn more: www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...

A map of the U.S. includes icons representing ZDR3 Network member facility locations spread throughout the mainland, Hawaii, and Guam.

Over 6 years our network has grown to include more than 220 members across 40 states & U.S. territories, representing #zoos, #aquariums, #sanctuaries, & specialized #wildlife organizations of every size. Preparedness is a shared responsibility that unites the entire zoological community.

ZDR3 staff and Network responders share a passion for the welfare of all non-domestic animals in human care. Every response offers all of us an opportunity to learn and improve; and to demonstrate that, in the zoological community, we take care of our own.

There are 3 photos in this graphic. 1. On the left, a deer with antlers is stepping down from an enclosed trailer with an open door, leading to a fenced area. A man in a gray hoodie is to the right, watching through the fence. 2. In the middle, there are 2 raccoons in transport crates, eating food from a bowl. A person in blue jeans and a gray coat is bending over, placing one of the crates. 3. A small monkey in a transport crate is looking out from a blanket covering all but its face.

When those of us who devote our lives to working with animals learn of a disaster that has befallen another facility, we feel great empathy for their animals and staff and want to do…something! For many, joining ZDR3 has answered the question: “How can we help?”
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife

We wish you a wonderful, disaster-free new year! But if your zoological facility needs assistance, we’re here for you.

We are Stronger Together

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

Top photo shows an dark, cloudy sky behind a damaged fence, most of which is lying on the grass. Bottom photo shows 4 ring-tailed lemurs, huddled together, looking at the camera.

Every ZDR3 Network disaster response team offers specific strengths. Some own, transport, &/or operate the heavy equipment. Some bring critical skills to facilities that need additional expertise. All strive to get the job done safely while working with & around staff & animals.

#zoo #aquarium