25 Nov Special Edition by our Education Intern
Over the fall here at the Ross Park Zoo, we welcomed a new education intern. Mari, a local high school student, joined us to learn about what it is like to work at the Zoo, in all different departments. Her main role was assisting in the education department, helping out in developing educational displays, event preparation, and how to create engaging conservation messaging. As a part of her internship, she has taken on the responsibility of writing her very own post for our Conservation Crew Blog! Take a read!
Many people are impacted by hurricanes, but have you ever wondered about how they impact zoos? Global warming has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of hurricanes, causing significant damage to life and property. Hurricane surges, triggered by rising ocean temperatures, pull more water vapor and heat from the oceans, resulting in stronger winds and heavier rainfall. Rising sea levels also influence coastal flooding caused by hurricanes, further increasing the devastating impact of these storms. Zoos take precautions to protect both large and small animals from the arrival of powerful hurricanes. Employees relocate animals to safer areas within or near zoos to protect them from hurricanes. Zoos prepare food for weeks and have dedicated teams on site to monitor animals during hurricanes, ensuring their safety.
Zoos can be heavily impacted by hurricanes in several ways.
- Animal deaths: animals can die from stress or other causes during a hurricane
- Infrastructure damage: zoos may experience damage to buildings on their properties because of the strong winds or fallen trees
- Loss of power: zoos may lose power which can impact the ability to care for animals
- Supply chain distributor: zoos may have difficulty obtaining food, medication and other supplies for their animals
“ From harboring flamingos in bathrooms to ensuring koalas’ specialized foods, when hurricanes hit, zoos need contingency plans at the ready. Now they are preparing for more extreme storms.”
AZA is a nonprofit organization that accredits zoos and aquariums that meet high standards for animal care and welfare. AZA also promotes conservation, education, and science. In 2018, AZA established the Employee Relief Fund to provide financial aid to affected member employees. With limited resources, the AZA has helped cover uninsured expenses such as dwelling and car damage, rebuilding materials, tree removal, food, insurance deductibles, and more. “Since 2018, more than 100,000 USD in assistance has been provided to employees impacted by more than ten disastrous events.” If you are able, please consider donating to the AZA Employee Relief Fund. 100 percent of donations go to those that need support, allowing for flexibility to respond to whatever emergency needs are requested.
- https://science.nasa.gov/earth/climate-change/a-force-of-nature-hurricanes-in-a-changing-climate/
- https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/hurricane-donate-to-relief-fund
- https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241009-how-zoos-and-aquariums-protect-animals-during-hurricanes
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