Jenkins 1

Cece Jenkins
Mrs. DeBock
English 4
10 November 2016
Service Research Paper
Animals in zoos and aquariums should be treated with care and in the best condition
during floods, hurricanes, tornados, and other natural disasters. Many animals in aquariums and
zoos are not able to evacuate during times of emergency. Many serious problems can occur to
animals in aquariums and zoos when not expecting natural disasters. The preparedness of an
aquarium or zoo can save the lives of many animals and even the employees. While some
animals are able to evacuate, some may be left behind with no way out and they could die. The
costs of closing down zoos and aquariums is also a major issue to the owners and can hurt the
companies. The major issue is the treatment and safety of animals, during the natural disasters,
while in their exhibits. While animals living in the wild are on their own and have to worry
about natural disasters, the caretakers of animals in captivity also have to, too because they are
enclosed into a zoo or aquarium and do not get the option to evacuate unless their owner decides
to do so.
First of all, many aquariums and zoos are not prepared for natural disasters to occur. The
animals enclosures are usually not built to stand through storms such as floods, hurricanes,
tornados, etc. The owners and employees do care and worry for the animals, but during a
disaster, the rights of animals can be forgotten. During Hurricane Matthew, the Waccatee Zoo in
South Carolina was giving themselves scenarios in case of emergencies. Most animals were
forced to stay in their enclosures and wait out the storm (Boschult). The animals had to stay in

Jenkins 2

their enclosures because the zoo did not have enough time to prepare for the hurricane and plan
out where each animal would go. The Grand Strand Humane Society, on the other hand, is
prepared for the worst of Hurricane Matthew. The director of the humane society, Jess Wnuk,
stated that, If need be, the shelter is ready to send the 140 animals to a facility farther north if an
evacuation is necessary. Two staff members will be in the shelter at all times during the storm to
make sure the animals are safe (Boschult). The human societys main concern is keeping all
animals safe, and if it is necessary, they will evacuate the animals. At another zoo in Texas, the
employees were preparing for the worst when a flood appeared. The water was rising and the
zoo was waiting for the water to hit the gates (Employees Caring for Zoo, Animals During
Flood). Although there was not must that the employees could do about the rising water, they
could care for the animals that could be affected. The Texas Zoo had suffered once before in
1998 because of a flood and did not want their zoo to be destroyed again (Garcia). Most of the
employees at the Texas Zoo are preparing by closing storm drains, organizing crates, and
placing the flood gate in position. Most locals near aquariums, zoos, or any type of animal
shelters are frustrated when not given the right to help animals in the zoos and aquariums. The
preparedness of the employees and the animals can change the impact that the disaster has on the
zoo or aquarium (Sebastian E., Linnabary). The more ready the people/employees are for the
storm or natural disaster, the safer the animals will be. Although most zoos and aquariums are
not ready for natural disasters and are not given must time to prepare, most of the animals will be
safe with the help of the workers and volunteers.
Second of all, the amount of money lost due to natural disasters can destroy an aquarium
or zoo. When aquariums and zoos are preparing for a hurricane, tornado, or any other form of
storms, most will close down for days or months. When the Texas Zoo had to close down in

Jenkins 3

1998, the damages from a flood cost the zoo about seven hundred and fifty dollars. The zoo also
lost income (Garcia). The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Entergy Imax Theatre
were also strongly affected by a natural disaster. Hurricane Katrina cost the aquarium millions of
dollars in reconstruction (Imax, Aquarium To Reopen May 26). This aquarium and imax
theatre were closed down for 8 months rebuilding and recovering. While recovering, zoos and
aquariums around the country donated animals and help to the damaged aquarium, and divers
searched for more fish to add to the collection. Only a portion of the zoo reopened months later,
while the other parts remained in construction. According to Teproff, The shutdown has hurt
the zoo financially during its peak season. One of South Floridas biggest attractions, a zoo,
had to shut down four days due to rain and flooding. This shutdown has cost the zoo a lot of
money and the loss of about 6,000 to 10,000 just in a few days. Although the zoos and
aquariums main worry are about the amount of money that is being lost, the major worry should
be for the safety of the animals.
Finally, the safety of the animals in zoos and aquarium should be the biggest focus for
owners and employees. Most zoos and aquariums are worried about the financial problems of
closing down during natural disasters, while others are concerned about how the animals will be
kept safe. In 2006, the United States government passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation
Standards Act, which declares that animals must be evacuated with the humans (Wittnich). This
law was created to make sure that animals are safe during natural disasters, and not it is official
in the United States planning. Hurricane Katrina and Rita also caused the United States to
prepare a plan on the care of animals and how to lessen their suffering. According to Garcia,
The biggest concern for the public is residents remember the flood of 1998, when the zoo lost
135 animals and the facility was destroyed. At the Texas Zoo, an animal curator, animal care

Jenkins 4

manager, and exhibit specialist take care of 350 animals during rising flood waters. The zoos
executive director believed that the animals did not need to be moved, but if the storm was
worse, more animals would be lost. In a more serious case, the Miami Zoo is home to 3,000
different animals and a hurricane is approaching. Most animals are able to swim, so the
overflowing of exhibits is allowing animals to swim away. Although, other animals such as
primates and big cats are not able to swim which could lead to drownings, and lions moats
overflowing, allowing the lions to swim across the moat and climb the wall (Teproff). An animal
being able to be free and climb out of their enclosure can cause extreme worries. If the lion was
to break free, it could put other animals and people into harm's way. Animals enclosures should
protect the animals, not cause them to get hurt.
During natural disasters, animals in aquariums and/or zoos should be treated with
protection and safety. Some animals are left behind during these disasters and some can die. The
main source of survival for the animals in zoos and aquariums are humans. The animals rely on
the humans to keep them safe and protect them. Without the people taking care of them during
times of emergency, the animals are more likely to die. The amount of money in repairs to zoos
and aquariums after natural disasters can cause them to close down for a long time. When the
owners of these zoos and aquariums are not prepared for the natural disasters, many
complications can occur. The animals are already forced to stay in these zoos and aquariums, so
natural disasters do not help with their living conditions.

Jenkins 5

Works Cited
Boschult, Christian. "For Lions, Tigers and Shelter dogs, Evacuation is no easy task."
Sun News, The (Myrtle Beach, SC) 06 Oct. 2016: Points of View Reference Center. Web.
26 Oct. 2016.
Garcia, Laura. "Employees Caring for Zoo, Animals During flood." Victoria Advocate
[Victoria, TX] 31 May 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
"Imax, Aquarium To Reopen May 26." New Orleans Citybusiness (1994 To 2008) 26.44
(2006): 11. Small Business Reference Center. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.

Jenkins 6

Sebastian E., and Robert D. Linnabary. "Challenges Of Managing Animals In Disasters

in the U.S." Animals (2076-2615) 5.2 (2015): 173. Advanced Placement Source. Web.
26 Oct. 2016.
Teproff, Carli. "Major Flooding Shuts Down Zoo Miami Again; Moats Compromised,
Some Animals at Risk." Miami Herald, The (FL) 08 Dec. 2015: Points of View
Reference Center. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.
Wittnich, Carin, and Michael Belanger. "How Is Animal Welfare Addressed In Canada's
Emergency Response Plans?." Journal Of Applied Animal Welfare Science 11.2 (2008):
125. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.