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What does Florida do with zoo animals during a hurricane?

Many animals are moved into their hurricane-reinforced nighthouses for all but the most severe storms. These animal residents include our lions, siamangs and Florida black bears.



Florida zoos and aquariums follow highly sophisticated "ride-out" plans rather than evacuating animals, as transport is often more stressful and dangerous than the storm itself. Smaller animals, birds, and primates are moved into temporary kennels inside sturdy, climate-controlled administrative buildings. Larger animals, such as lions, rhinos, and giraffes, are secured in their "night houses," which are constructed of reinforced poured concrete and welded steel designed to withstand Category 5 winds and flying debris. Some animals have natural defenses; for instance, alligators and crocodiles simply submerge in their deep pools. Staff "ride-out teams"—including vets and keepers—stay on-site in bunkers during the storm to monitor the animals via cameras and provide immediate care once it is safe to emerge.

People Also Ask

In response to an incoming hurricane, alligators usually find shelter where they can move in and out easily, usually in caves or burrows under mud or a canal. To stay safe, some alligators might altogether change foraging patterns before the storm.

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Well, Disney doesn't evacuate their animals. They remain on property. Actually, a lot of them are moved backstage to their pens and barns that are built to withstand a Major Hurricane.

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In a dire scenario, a cruise ship could sink in a hurricane. But before you cancel all your future cruise plans, know this: it's highly unlikely. Cruise ships are built like fortresses. They boast stability, seaworthiness, and a bucket-load of safety features to help them ride out even the angriest storms.

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Reports from the nation's zoos say that animals are emaciated, with keepers sometimes forced to feed one form of wildlife to another, just to keep some animals alive. There have also been reports of mammals and birds being stolen from zoo collections.

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