We're Ready for Storm Season!

The Colorado State University tropical weather and climate research team anticipates the upcoming 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be above average. They are predicting 17 named tropical storms, including 9 hurricanes, 4 of which could be major.

The staff at ZDR3 have been preparing for another busy response season by:

Growing the ZDR3 Network to expand options for support. It currently includes more than 200 facility members from 40 states and US territories. Of those, more than 130 facilities in 34 states are able to offer support!

Red map dots represent Network Members with response capabilities.

Strengthening relationships with industry associations, membership groups, and other disaster response networks. Mutual aid and communication agreements signed in advance of storm season allow for more efficient collaboration.
Expanding communications platforms and tactics we use with ZDR3 Response Teams to enhance coordination during activation, standby, and response.
Building ZDR3 staff’s capacity with enhanced equipment and supplies to allow for more efficient deployments.
Engaging in coordinated calls and aligning with other disaster response efforts in advance of storm season to gain a better understanding of the anticipated response landscape in 2025.

Deployment Strategy for 2025

2024 Deployment Movements

With so many potential responders and resource caches throughout the country, ZDR3 staff can efficiently identify and deploy the appropriate resources for impacted facilities.

Foundational Approach (Same as 2024)

Entire season: Experienced teams are generally the first in. The goal is to bring in new teams as appropriate to build experience.
Initial Response: Deploy local/regional facilities for initial, rapid response, and bring in long-distance teams when necessary (for instance, when an entire region is impacted). Put long-distance teams on standby, as needed, in advance of, and after impact. For anticipated catastrophic events (eg, high-level Category 4+ storm), possibly pre-position long-distance teams closer to the region.
Following Initial Phase: Bring in long-distance teams to support response and recovery if local resources are overwhelmed.

Updates for 2025

Enhanced communications and information gathering platforms for responders, to boost efficiency in the field.
The number of entities calling ZDR3 for support has increased, and the requests have become more varied.
We are working to develop relationships to reduce lodging and airline costs for responders.

Crew Leads are Critical to Our Success

Thank you to the dozens of crew leads and owner/operators who joined a Crew Lead call in early May. Special thanks to San Antonio Zoo responders Adam Malstaff and Nick Mills, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance responder Marty Swain for offering their insights and answering questions.

ZDR3 Network Crew Leads and their teams are our most critical asset. As Executive Director Julia Wilder emphasized at the end of the call: “We do not exist without you.”

Are You Prepared?

Hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Even if you are located inland, consider what types of water and wind hazards could endanger your staff, animals, and facility.

You can find resources to assist your storm season preparation in the Members Resources section on the ZDR3 website—including how to contact us for assistance. You might also want to review resources developed by our partner in disaster planning, Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP).

2025 Activities to Date

So far in 2025, the ZDR3 staff presented and participated in disaster preparation and response forums that reached more than 150 industry professionals, related agencies, and NGOs.

Most notably, when the LA fires started, ZDR3 Executive Director Julia Wilder was participating in a planned tabletop exercise conducted by the University of California, Davis in conjunction with the USDA, CAL FIRE, CDFW, and other stakeholders. The topic of the tabletop exercise: evacuating a zoo threatened by a fire. Soon after, she received a call for assistance from the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center (WWCC) in Huntington Beach and shifted to response mode.

WWCC was taxed by the volume of incoming animals: they were not only taking new patients injured in the fires, but assisting with caring for animals from other wildlife rehabs closer to evacuation zones. ZDR3 worked with the Santa Ana Zoo and Dr. Kate Moore of Good Vibes Mobile Veterinary Service to help address veterinary staffing and supply shortages that this influx of patients created.

ZDR3 was also on alert for wildfires threatening 2 other ZDR3 Network member facilities, and on standby for a 3rd facility. We were ready to assist with evacuations, but relieved that they weren’t required.

Uplifting Stories

The April issue of Animal Keepers’ Forum included an article featuring several American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) Chapters that supported their peers impacted by disasters.

A recent blog post, “Her Dedication to Lemurs Almost Delayed Her Wedding,” features a curator who had to shift her focus from preparing for her wedding to planning for a possible direct hit by a major hurricane.

Thank You, ZDR3 Sponsors!

We are Stronger Together