Tampa Zoo Shares Look at How It's Preparing Its Hundreds of Animals for Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton is projected to make landfall on Florida's west coast between late Wednesday and early Thursday
By Kimberlee Speakman Updated on October 9, 2024 02:44PM EDT
A Florida zoo is closing down in preparation for Hurricane Milton.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park announced on social media that it would close its doors to guests from Tuesday, Oct. 8, through at least Thursday, Oct. 10, due to the storm's "projected impact" on the area.
The zoo said in a statement to PEOPLE that it has been carrying out its "comprehensive hurricane preparedness plan" over the past 24 hours to "ensure the security" of its over 1,000 animals.The plan includes "moving larger animals into their night houses" built to withstand major storms and moving "smaller mammals and birds into ancillary buildings."
Zoo staff has also been working to "secure loose items, stock up on animal diets, trim trees, fuel generators, and other hurricane prep activities," the park said.
The animalswill not be left unattended while the zoo is closed for Hurricane Milton, per ZooTampa, as "a ride-out team" made up of "animal care, animal health, safety, maintenance, and horticulture" staff will stay on the premises. This team will care for the animals, monitor life support systems, manage generators, and assess damage following the storm.
https://people.com/tampa-zoo-prepares-animals-hurricane-milton-8724991