Zookeepers in Florida have been extra busy over the past few days as they prepare to safely shelter thousands of animals in anticipation of Hurricane Irma.
Zoo Miami, also known as the Miami-Dade Zoological Park and Gardens, have been readying their facilities for the massive Category 5 hurricane, which is expected to make landfall on Sunday.
Employees have been working around the clock to make accommodations for the more than 3,000 animals at the zoo, following basic disaster plan protocols spelled out by the The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, according to NPR.
Flamingos take refuge in a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the zoo in Miami, Florida, US September 9, 2017
Senior keeper Jennifer Nelson walks a cheetah to a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the Miami Zoo in Miami, Florida, US September 9, 2017
An African crested porcupine is moved into a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the zoo in Miami, Florida, US September 9, 2017
A keeper guides a Indian White rumped vulture into shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Florida, US September 9
An American white pelican and brown pelicans take refuge in a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the zoo in Miami, Florida, US September 9
There are several reasons why the zoo has opted not to transport the animals out of the hurricane, citing the unpredictable nature of storms.
‘We don’t evacuate our animals since hurricanes can change direction at the last minute and you run the risk of evacuating to a more dangerous location,’ Zoo Miami stated on its Facebook page.
‘Furthermore, the stress of moving the animals can be more dangerous than riding out the storm. The animals that are considered dangerous will stay in their secure night houses, which are made of poured concrete and welded metal.’
Miami Zoo communications director Ron Magill also told NPR that housing the animals on site was the safest option.
‘That’s probably the No. 1 question I get asked : “Oh my God, when are you going to evacuate animals?” We are never going to evacuate animals.’
The zoo added that prior experience with Hurricane Andrew, which hit Miami over 25 years ago, has given them many insights on how to best manage the situation.
An African grey parrot is moved into a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the zoo in Miami, Florida, September 9
Magill said that birds and small mammals will be sheltered in independent kennels or buildings. Larger animals, such as apes and carnivores, will be left inside their usual indoor holding areas.
‘Those night houses are made of poured concrete, welded metal, to withstand the strength of the animal itself,’ Magill says. ‘And fortunately, it’s also strong enough to withstand the strength of a major hurricane.’
Houston Zoo followed the same precedent last month during Hurricane Harvey.
‘We were sleeping here at the zoo, on cots or on the floor,’ CEO Lee Ehmke told the radio broadcaster.
‘We prepared food so everyone was fed … There was a lot of radio and Internet communication to make sure the right diets were given to the animals.’
Cheetahs are photographed in a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the zoo in Miami, Florida, September 9, 2017
Heather Taylor moves a parrot into a hurricane resistant building at the Zoo Miami, as the conditions deteriorate from Hurricane Irma in Miami, Florida
A macaw parrot looks out of it’s cage after being put into a shelter ahead of the downfall of Hurricane Irma at the zoo in Miami, Florida,