ZDR3 is Conservation
Our Impact on Animal Welfare and Conservation
The heart of the ZDR3 Network are the animal professionals concerned about the welfare of all animals in human care, not just those at their own institutions. Although the nuts and bolts of a zoological disaster response begins and ends with coordinating responders and resources, everyone’s shared goal is to ensure the safety and welfare of the staff and animals at an impacted facility.
Many zoological institutions have a conservation mission that can include housing threatened and endangered species, and involvement in breeding conservation management programs. Any loss of life, long-term welfare impact, or escape of a critically endangered individual can create setbacks that impact the survival of a species.
After a significant incident, everything at a site but the most basic husbandry practices are likely to be disrupted. Downed trees and power outages are common, and skilled tradespeople are in high demand.
Restoring Power
After the electrical infrastructure at a reptile conservation center was damaged during a hurricane, ZDR3 deployed a response team that included an electrician. The facility houses 2,000 animals, including hatchlings, that would potentially perish without heat. Supply chain issues following the storm caused shortages of gas required to power generators, so restoring power before a cold snap was the highest priority.
The responders’ charming observer is an Aldabra tortoise, which is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.
Restoring Habitats
After Hurricane Ian devastated a forest habitat designed for lemurs in 2022, ZDR3 Responders removed dozens of trees from their fence lines and ensured the grounds were cleared of dangerous dangling branches and debris to allow staff to resume normal operations.
By early 2023 the fences were fixed and the lemurs were released back into the forest.
Mongoose lemurs are critically endangered and among the species involved in a conservation breeding program in a Florida facility.
ZDR3 Provides Critical Support for Threatened & Endangered Species
Swiftly responding to facilities housing threatened and endangered species during disasters, ZDR3 helps ensure their rapid recovery. This lifeline has supported numerous animals representing a wide array of species, helping to maintain critical conservation projects. ZDR3’s efforts demonstrate the collaborative spirit of the global conservation community when disaster strikes.
Here is a snapshot of the species our network’s efforts have supported to date:
IUCN Tracked Species Supported by ZDR3: 2020 - 2023
This graphic is not an exhaustive representation of species supported by ZDR3, nor does it include any domestic species/breeds that ZDR3 has assisted.
ZDR3 offers direct support, focusing on animal well-being, along with support to the facilities housing them. The objective is to efficiently render assistance that allows them to resume their focus on species conservation.