Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)
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Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)
@zdr3.bsky.social
520 followers 54 following 73 posts
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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Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) @zdr3.bsky.social · May 21
Founded in 2019 by zoological industry leaders, ZDR3 provides support to facilities housing wildlife and exotic animal species before, during, and after disasters. We deploy experienced zoological personnel and resources to facilities requesting aid, regardless of accreditation or affiliation.
Two women crouch inside an animal habitat. The woman on the left, in grey, is holding a mid-sized yellow and black tortoise off the ground. The woman on the right, in dark blue, is prepping a needle to use for medical care. Four people in work pants and lime green shirts that say "San Antonio Zoo Crew" are facing away from the camera, looking up at a huge fallen tree. The tree is diagonally across the background of the image and appears to be leaning heavily on a chain-link fence on the left side of the image. A picture of a workstation for ZDR3 inside of an office. Three computer monitors are visible: the top one is widescreen and shows a map of the gulf coast of the United States with a hurricane trajectory plotted on it. A big red and black logo with a white background is on a glass door in the background. Two men in grey work clothes and shirts that say "San Antonio Zoo" on the back are standing next to an animal habitat. They are fixing something inside an electric box at the corner of the habitat. Inside the low metal fence of the habitat, a very large grey-brown tortoise watches them work.
zdr3.bsky.social
Every ZDR3 Network disaster response team offers specific strengths. Some own, transport, &/or operate the heavy equipment. Some bring critical skills to facilities that need additional expertise. All strive to get the job done safely while working with & around staff & animals.

#zoo #aquarium
Top photo shows an dark, cloudy sky behind a damaged fence, most of which is lying on the grass. Bottom photo shows 4 ring-tailed lemurs, huddled together, looking at the camera.
December 29, 2025 at 1:18 PM
zdr3.bsky.social
The heart of the ZDR3 Network are the professionals concerned about the welfare of all animals in human care. The nuts & bolts of a zoological disaster response begins & ends with coordinating responders & resources, but everyone’s goal is to ensure the safety of the staff & animals.
Top left photo shows a man with a beard in a black t-shirt pulling a transport cage with his left hand; his right hand is outstretched towards the camera. There are 2 people in blue behind the cage, and a woman in a black t-shirt to the right of the cage. The 2nd photo, on the right, shows a woman in a blue hat, gray t-shirt, and boots marking a downed tree in a forest. The shot at the bottom shows a group of 9 people standing between 2 bulldozers, standing in front of a debris pile that is taller than the people. There are palm trees behind the debris pile.
December 26, 2025 at 1:33 PM
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We are so grateful for our loyal supporters, who help ensure the financial stability that allows us to maintain year-round readiness.

We are Stronger Together

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
December 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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In the foreground, an open cooler on the back of a UTV. To the right, a man standing behind the vehicle, with "staff" written across the back of his black t-shirt is handing a canned drink to another man seated on a bench with an orange hard hat beside him. Behind the men is bamboo growing in front of an animal enclosure.
December 22, 2025 at 2:52 PM
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Thank you to Tier 2 Sponsor Marlene Ledonne Living Trust! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for us to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities before, during, & after disasters.

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
December 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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Happy Holidays!

No matter what you celebrate, all of us at ZDR3 celebrate YOU for your support!

We wish you a happy, healthy holiday season!

We are Stronger Together

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
A leopard is standing in snow. There are trees behind the leopard, and snow is falling. The red, black, and white ZDR3 logo is in the lower right.
December 14, 2025 at 2:28 PM
zdr3.bsky.social
Every ZDR3 Network disaster response team offers specific strengths. Some own, transport, &/or operate the heavy equipment required to manage massive tasks. Some bring critical skills. All strive to get the job done safely while working with & around impacted staff & animals.
The graphic includes a photo of 2 men with white hard hats, green shirts, and orange chaps using chainsaws to cut downed trees. The Indianapolis Zoo logo, below the photo, includes the face of a tiger.
December 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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Thanks to the San Antonio Zoo for their willingness to assist others after disasters. And for sharing their vast knowledge and experience with other response teams, most recently at the Zoological Association of America’s Annual Conference.
Photo includes a pickup truck with both the San Antonio zoo and ZDR3 logos. Behind the truck is a trailer with a door open and steps leading into it for people to walk in and tour this mobile disaster response unit. Beside and behind the trailer are posters showing past responses in which the SAZ team has participated.
December 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
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Thank you to our new Tier 4 Sponsor, Dakota Zoo! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for us to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities before, during, & after disasters.
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse
December 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
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No facility is too small to join our network; joining does not obligate you to provide personnel or other resources for any response; and there is no cost to join!

We are Stronger Together.

Learn more: www.zdr3.org

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
A fennec fox—with its big, wide ears upright—is lying down, with its tail wrapped around to its front paw, looking at the camera.
December 3, 2025 at 1:08 PM
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November 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM
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Click on link to read: myemail.constantcontact.com/ZDR3-Newslet...

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
A fox, facing right, is walking through grass. The red, black, and white ZDR3 logo is in front of the fox.
November 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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Thank you to our Tier 5 Sponsors!

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
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
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Our staff enjoyed meeting many of you at conferences this fall! In early October, we attended the ZAA Annual Conference, where our director won an award www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog.... One ZDR3 staffperson captured his first conference experience in a blog post www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...
The photo on the left includes a ZDR3 poster titled "How We Help" that includes information about disaster response. Beside it, a man in a gray shirt is leaning against a table talking to a women in a black shirt. The photo on the right includes a woman in a gray shirt with a ZDR3 logo who has her arm around a woman in blue. They are each wearing AAZK conference name badge.
November 18, 2025 at 4:44 PM
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Why should your zoological facility join? ZDR3 has built a network to strengthen & coordinate a tradition of inner-industry support. We do the upfront work that allows a network of industry peers to provide safe, knowledgeable, & viable incident response. Learn more: www.zdr3.org/how-to-join-...
Photo of male lion, looking to the right
November 16, 2025 at 5:56 PM
zdr3.bsky.social
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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Last year, hurricanes Helene and Milton caused unprecedented flooding and extensive damage to Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, FL. Learn about PRWC’s recovery and exciting future: www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...

We are Stronger Together
A Year After Two Hurricanes Hit, A Wildlife Rehab Center Demonstrates Its Resilience — Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, And Recovery (ZDR3)
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused unprecedented flooding and extensive damage to Peace River Wildlife Center. ZDR3 Network disaster response teams assisted their recovery. PRWC has exciting pla...
www.zdr3.org
October 14, 2025 at 2:56 PM