Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)
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Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)
@zdr3.bsky.social
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ZDR3 is a 501(c)3 mutual aid group that provides peer-to-peer disaster response for zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and other similar businesses.

With 200+ participating organizations, we are the only zoological disaster network in the United States.
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Your generosity reached Jamaica’s zoological facilities when they needed it most. Together, supporters contributed over $8,700, providing vital relief for animal care teams working to rebuild & recover. Learn more: myemail.constantcontact.com/ZDR3-Update-...
November 14, 2025 at 5:31 PM
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November 13 is International Day of Zoo & Aquarium Educators. The goal, according to the International Zoo Educators Association, is to “spotlight conservation education in zoos and aquariums as fundamental to mobilizing the public to conservation action around the world.”
People standing in front of an aquarium tank, viewing a variety of fish.
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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Thank you to our new Tier 4 Sponsor, International Animal Exchange! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for us to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, and sanctuaries before, during, & after disasters & crises.
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife
The red, black, and white ZDR3 logo is in the upper left. The International Animal Exchange logo, which includes an illustration of a zebra, is spotlighted in the middle of the graphic from a light in the upper right corner.
November 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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Hurricane Melissa has left devastating impacts across Jamaica—damaging homes, infrastructure, and lives, both human and animal.

#jamaica #hurricanemelissa
Illustration of a multicolored bird flying in front of a multicolored globe.
November 5, 2025 at 3:35 PM
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Because ZDR3 is a U.S.-based organization, we only coordinate personnel deployments within the United States. But we recognize that people throughout the world are concerned about the people and animals that call Jamaica home.
#hurricanemelissa #jamaica #zoo #sanctuary #wildlife #iguana #crocodile
On the left, Jamaican flag above map of Jamaica. On the right, the ZDR3 logo
October 31, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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ZDR3 is a U.S.-based organization, and our responders only deploy domestically. As Hurricane Melissa approaches Jamaica, we are mindful of the potential impacts to animal facilities on the island and recognize that many in our network will want to help.
Jamaican flag with sun behind it.
October 28, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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Thank you to our new Tier 4 Sponsor, Longneck Manor!

Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for ZDR3 to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, and sanctuaries before, during, and after disasters and crises.

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife
The all-white Long Manor logo includes an illustration of a giraffe.
October 25, 2025 at 12:42 PM
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Every ZDR3 Network response team has specific strengths. Some operate heavy equipment required to manage massive tasks. Some bring critical skills to facilities that need additional expertise. All strive to get the job done safely while working with and around impacted staff and animals.
A green tractor is unloading a white mobile large animal enclosure from the back of a white and silver trailer. One man is driving the tractor, one is behind it, and one is in front of it.
October 23, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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In October 2024, Hurricane Milton damaged forest habitats at the Lemur Conservation Foundation. ZDR3 Network responders soon arrived with heavy equipment and chainsaws. What they accomplished in days would have taken LCF’s small staff months to accomplish.
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife
Photo on left shows a fence damaged by fallen trees. Photo on right shows 2 lemurs walking together on grass on a sunny day, with an intact fence to their left, and a grove of trees in the distance.
October 20, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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Thank you to Tier 2 Sponsor San Antonio Zoo! SAZ is more than just a sponsor. Their highly experienced response team frequently answers ZDR3's calls for assistance. And their disaster response trailer is well outfitted, so they are ready to roll on short notice.

We are Stronger Together
6 men in green shirts are standing beside a trailer that says "Disaster Response" and "San Antonio Zoo."
October 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
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Thank you to the Indianapolis AAZK Chapter for your ongoing support!

For their Share the Love Bake Sale AAZK members and zoo volunteers donate homemade baked goods, which they sell to Indianapolis Zoo staff members. During this event, they raised $1,200, which they are donating to ZDR3!
There are 3 photos in this image. The headline says "Thanks for sharing the love, Indy AAZK." The top photo shows invitations to the AAZK Share the Love Bake Sale. Below it are 2 women preparing back sale packages. To the right, 3 women are looking at bake sale items while another, facing the camera, looks on. At the bottom of the image is the Indianapolis AAZK logo on the left, the ZDR3 logo on the right. Between them it says, "We are Stronger Together." There are hearts throughout the background of the image.
October 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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Every ZDR3 Network disaster response team offers specific strengths. All strive to get the job done safely while working with and around impacted staff and animals.

We are Stronger Together

#sandiegozoowildlifealliance #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
Two women in green shirts are crouched behind a van, preparing veterinary supplies. A man in a green shirt is standing to their right, loading a syringe.
October 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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Going to the American Association of Zoo Keepers National Conference?

If so, we hope you’ll join ZDR3 Operations Manager, Cari Wittenborn, for her presentation, “Safeguarding Species and Self: A Zoo Keeper’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness and Response.”

We are Stronger Together

#AAZK2025
At top, a logo for the AAZK 50th annual conference includes a phoenix and the words "Phoenix Arizona Rising Above Extinction. The headline reads "Let's talk at AAZK National." The black and white photo is of a keeper with his arm over his face, as if in distress, standing in water in front of a fence with a duck beside him. The overlay says "A disaster plan is only as strong as the keeper behind it. We are stronger together." It includes the red and white ZDR3 logo.
October 3, 2025 at 1:21 PM
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3 men are lifting a damaged fence back into place. At top it says "What is a zoological disaster responder?" Below the photo it says, "ZDR3’s disaster responders are professionals who work at zoological facilities that have developed their own response teams. They are peers helping peers with specialized, on-the-job training working around non-domestic animals." Below that, "We are stronger together" is beside the red and white ZDR3 logo.
October 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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A man is standing, handing a drink to a man seated beside his hard hat. At top it says "When we deploy a team to assist a devastated facility, they have been selected for their specific skills and resources. It’s a true pleasure to see the relief on the faces of the impacted staff when our responders arrive—and the bonds that form as they work together." Below that, "We are stronger together" is beside the red and white ZDR3 logo.
October 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
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October 1, 2025 at 6:37 PM
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October 1, 2025 at 6:36 PM
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The ZDR3 core team will be attending the ZAA Annual Conference in San Antonio. We hope you’ll join us for “Disaster is a Moving Target: Updates from ZDR3.” We look forward to the opportunity to chat with you then, or one-on-one at the conference.
September 29, 2025 at 12:07 PM
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Here's what we've been up to lately!

web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/social_an...

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
Graphic of an otter with "Check out our latest newsletter - ZR3 Newsletter: August 2025 - We are Stronger Together" and the ZDR3 logo
August 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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The ZDR3 Network is varied and inclusive, comprising zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, wildlife centers, and ranches specializing in exotic species.

If you know someone who owns or works at a facility that may need assistance, please share our contact information with them.
A set of black text on a light purple background that reads: Texas zoological facilities: To request assistance, your director, owner, or their designee can call/text 304-933-9373 (ZDR3). Be sure to also contact appropriate emergency response and/or oversight agencies; this is not a replacement for 911/emergency services. Please also text or email details to requestsupport@zdr3.org to help us more accurately assess your situation and needs. We are Stronger Together. At the bottom right hand side of the image is the ZDR3 logo in red and white.
July 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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The ZDR3 Response Network currently comprises more than 200 member facilities and industry-related businesses from 40 states and US territories. Big or small, all network members contribute in valuable ways: sending response teams, sharing resources, donating directly, and helping promote our work.
A map of the United States generated by google maps. It is covered in purple pins showing the location of ZDR3 Network members. The pins are clustered on the east coast, in the south, and in California.
June 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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Hurricane season officially begins on August 1st. NOAA's predictions indicate there's a 60% change of above-average hurricane activity this fall. They expect a total of 3-19 named storms, 6-10 of which forecast to become hurricanes, and 3-5 of which could be category 3 or higher.
A graphic from NOAA titled "2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook." A pie chart on the left takes up two thirds of the graphic. It is labeled Season Probability. The largest slice of the pie, labeled "Above normal" is in yellow and has a 60% label, blue is "near normal" and is at 30%, and green is "below normal" and is at 10%. On the right side of the image it lists "Named Storms 13-19", "Hurricanes 6-10" and "Major Hurricanes 3-5." At the bottom, black text over a light blue banner says "Be prepared: visit hurricanes.gov and follow NOAA's @NWS and @NHC_Atlantic on X. May 2025."
May 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
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CARE Executive Director Heidi Krahn transported their lemurs to the Frank Buck Zoo. Housing another facility’s animals requires an appropriate, physically distanced enclosure, and undertaking additional biosecurity precautions. FBZ is able to provide all of those comfort and safety measures.
A composite photo of animal diets inside an open fridge and bucket full of chow with a scoop. The fridge diets contain a whole banana bunch and individual portions of other foods inside labeled zip-locks. White text on a light blue background at the bottom of the images says: "CARE provided fresh produce & primate chow for their lemurs, temporarily housed at Frank Buck Zoo." Smaller text below says "Photo courtesy of FBZ." A photo of the outside of an animal habitat, looking at the double-layer human doors into the enclosure. The habitat and human entrances are constructed from steel pipe and heavy chain link. Various tools for caring for animals lay around the outside of the habitat. White text on a light blue background at the bottom of the images says: "Keeper entrances to CARE lemurs' temporary housing at Frank Buck Zoo. They include secondary containment to prevent lemurs from leaping out." Smaller text below says "Photo courtesy of FBZ."
May 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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ZDR3 Needs Assessors visited CARE to understand the scope of the problem and assist where they could. After sussing out the damage, they joined the CARE staff and volunteers in repairing big cat habitat fences so it was safe to re-release the tigers and lions into their main living spaces.
A photo of a completely destroyed fence. Wood beams have fallen over completely and the mesh fencing attached to them has gone down too. White text on a light blue background at the top of the images says: "CARE's lemur enclosure was destroyed in a violent storm. " Smaller text below says "Photo courtesy of CARE." Two men in work clothes stand in the middle of a construction zone with an animal exhibit in the background. The man on the left is sitting and leaning over something, the man on the right is standing and watching his work. White text on a light blue background at the top of the images says: "CARE volunteer electricians, Ron & Brian Kennedy, repairing electrical service to a damaged well." Smaller text below says "Photo courtesy of CARE."
May 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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All the staff and animals at CARE are safe and healthy after the storm, but several habitats were damaged. Perimeter fencing for big cat enclosures was struck by debris, and the lemur enclosure is uninhabitable. The Frank Buck Zoo, a ZDR3 Network facility, offered to house the lemurs during repairs.
Four lemurs with grey bodies, black and white heads and tails, and yellow eyes are huddled together in a ball. They are sitting in front of a wooden wall with black fencing, and are looking directly at the camera. White text on a light blue background at the bottom of the images says: "CARE's lemur troup in a "lemur ball" in their temporary housing at Frank Buck Zoo. " Smaller text below says "Photo courtesy of FBZ." Multiple grey lemurs with long black-and-white tails stand on a wooden shelf inside a chain link exhibit. One is looking directly into the camera, the others are facing away. White text on a light blue background at the bottom of the images says: "CARE's lemur troop settling into their temporary housing at Frank Buck Zoo. " Smaller text below says "Photo courtesy of FBZ."
May 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM