The Washington Post reports:
As the storm approached this week, spoonbills and cranes in addition to Odette were gathered from free-flight aviaries at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Anoas, a type of diminutive water buffalo, were loaded into a trailer towed by a John Deere tractor. Critically endangered red wolves — fewer than 300 still exist — were hauled onto a box truck to be brought indoors.
“Obviously, living in Florida, hurricanes are something we have to be prepared for,” said Chris Massaro, ZooTampa’s senior vice president of zoological operations, noting that zoos write detailed plans to deal with disaster.
Inland at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens near Orlando, zookeepers made sure rare Florida black bears, leopards and PJ the greater one-horned rhinoceros were bunkered safely in barns.
Meanwhile, macaws, hornbills and hawks were brought into the zoo’s ballroom, with handlers on hand to ride out the storm. Two bald eagles and a caracara were stored in the facility’s bathroom. During the commotion, birds of prey were draped with sheets.
“It just helps keep them quiet and relaxed,” zoo director Stephanie Williams said.
All of the zoo’s animals were accounted for, both Williams and Massaro said.
That isn’t the case after every hurricane. When Hurricane Andrew smashed Miami in 1992, locals reported unusual birds, deer and even an African lion wandering South Florida, forcing officials to go on patrol to round up the escapees.
Bonus:
What’s happened to the cute cat rescued by that nice guy in Bonita Springs?
A video of Mike Ross, 29, saving a tabby stranded outside his parents’ home went viral after his girlfriend posted it on Twitter this week.
Floridians across the state have rescued stray animals during hurricanes over the years, and the scene of Ross gently plucking the cat from atop an air conditioning unit resonated with animal lovers across the country.
For now, Ross and his family are sheltering the cat, and they plan to keep it if they cannot find its owners.
Yay!
I promised to put up any animal rescue efforts here. I can’t vouch for the personally by you can check out the web-sites and see if you’d like to help out. I’ll add more as I come across them.
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League
This West Palm Beach-based organization is taking part in the urgent transfer of cats and dogs from the Florida’s Gulf Coast. To support their efforts, you can make a donation by going to PeggyAdams.org/hurricaneian.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue
This Palm Beach County-based operation will provide pet supplies to shelters and families. You can donate wet or dry dog and cat food, blankets, crates and/or cash. Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder and CEO Lauree Simmons says she will send the first trucks within 48 hours, so time is of the essence. Drop off donated supplies from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, 14444 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, or make cash donations by calling 561-791-6465 or going to BDRR.org.
FUR Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief
Florida Urgent Rescue is assisting with disaster relief for animals impacted by Hurricane Ian. FUR helped evacuated 49 dogs and cats from rural Florida shelters in advance of the storm.
Animals are still in danger after the storm has passed, though. An expected wave of strays and owner surrenders will put animals already in the shelter at risk.
Right now, Best Friends’ disaster response teams are actively working to identify needs to best support impacted animal shelters and rescue groups in Florida.
Best Friends has reached out to shelters and rescue groups in the area to assess the impact and support the safety and well-being of pets.
Visit Best Friends’ Facebook page for updates and to follow our work on the ground. Working with our local partners, we are committed to providing support and safety to the animals in Florida.
HURRICANE IAN RESPONSE: OUR RESCUE TEAM IS RUSHING TO RESCUE ANIMALS!
Our American Humane Rescue team is rushing to the state of Florida to assist with time-sensitive water search and rescue operations under Code 3 Associates and alongside ASAR Training and Response. Catastrophic Hurricane Ian barreled into Florida Wednesday and left in its wake a staggering scale of damage, destruction, and horrific loss of property, people, and pets.
Based on early assessments, we anticipate multiple deployments throughout the disaster area as the response needs are overwhelming. With your support, we can help ensure that our highly trained team of first responders and volunteers can help animals struggling during this crisis.
Thank you in advance for your generosity in helping these scared, suffering animals. We will keep you posted as our team arrives in Arcadia, DeSoto County, FL, and report on the situation on the ground as it develops.