ZDR3 Update

April 28, 2026

Introducing ZDR3 Education

A new website focused on planning, preparedness, and readiness.

This is about moving beyond reactive response and helping develop the tools, training, and coordination that strengthen preparedness across the field. The content we will be sharing will largely be developed from lessons learned by impacted facilities and responding teams. As we continue learning from a range of responses, this platform will continue to grow in response to real-world needs and experiences.

If you work for a zoological facility or an organization that supports or partners with these facilities during disaster—such as EMS, government agency, NGO, etc—please take a few minutes to complete our survey and help guide the development of resources that are practical, relevant, and aligned with the realities you face. Your experience matters, and your voice will directly influence what comes next!

We Don't Always Talk About the Weather, But We're Always Watching

ZDR3 personnel are weather nerds. We consistently monitor and track storm systems and wildfires, superimposed against a map of 1000+ businesses and institutions that house non-domestic animals. But we don’t always tell you about what we’re watching—until we anticipate it might impact one or more zoological facilities. 

This year we boosted our situational awareness with Baron Weather Logic, which provides real-time radar, storm tracking, predictive modeling, and severe weather alerts for ZDR3 Network facilities (we have de-identified the specific facilities in the graphic for privacy). That keeps us aware of pending danger in near real time.

We’ve recently been monitoring wildfires, tornadoes, and powerful storms across the U.S. We reached out to some facilities close to potential danger to check on them and assure them we’re watching and ready to go if they need assistance. We do not reach out for all alerts, only those for which there appears to be potential for significant impact. We also use this information to determine when to alert response teams that their help may be needed.

Although ZDR3 periodically emails you about weather conditions that might impact you, we are not a weather service. For current conditions in your area you are best served by your most trusted local weather sources. We strive to keep our followers informed about pending weather events to give you time to consider how best to prepare for a potential impact; remind you we’re here when you need us; and rally support for those of you who have experienced a disaster.

We are Stronger Together