Zoo Preparation for Tropical Storm Fay

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens safety committee is responsible for the preparation of weather related events, including hurricanes. Situated along the Atlantic coast, the zoo is on hurricane alert six months per year, from 1 June to the end of November.

One important job for staff is to secure items that can become projectiles in the high winds or can float and become damaging battering rams in flood waters. Seen above are keepers moving supplies to a storage building and turning over and chaining picnic tables together. Normally exhibit props such as wood pieces, conduit, rocks, and pots are kept outdoors, but for a hurricane, they are brought indoors, as seen in the service area of the Lost Temple in the Range of the Jaguar exhibit.

Special precautions are taken for venomous snakes -- these animals are taken to a concrete block reptile service area, where they are confined in labeled plastic containers. Finally, on a case by case basis, certain animals, such as the mambas, are shifted into their acrylic holding areas. These snakes are trained to move, similar to an antelope going into its stall where the door can be shut remotely, so that these highly dangerous animals do not need to manipulated.

Photos by D. Messinger