Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)
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Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3)
@zdr3.bsky.social
530 followers 62 following 100 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
This free online webinar, presented by the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Safety Committee and Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3), will discuss "A Keeper's Role in a Natural Disaster" on February 26th. Email [email protected] for more information.

#zoo #aquarium
February 13, 2026 at 2:12 PM
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ZDR3’s disaster responders are peers helping peers. When a facility can’t send a crew, they can hand off resources for a damaged facility to a deploying team. Pictured: ZooWorld Panama City Beach providing animal diets to the San Antonio Zoo team as they prepared for deployment.
#zoo #aquarium
A smiling man in a baseball cap, sunglasses, a gray shirt, and khaki shorts is standing beside a colorful truck. He is holding a box of bananas with a smiling woman in sunglasses, a green shirt, and blue jeans. Behind them are two other men in front of a trailer connected to the truck, observing the handoff of bananas from the woman to the man.
February 12, 2026 at 2:52 PM
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“Are we in the network?” “Did we finish joining?” We often receive these questions & understand that it is easy to lose track of an email, a piece of paper, or a document that hasn’t been finalized. Ask us about your status at [email protected].

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse
A capybara is lying in the sand with its front legs outstretched in front of it, looking directly at the viewer. The red, white, and black ZDR3 logo is at the bottom of the graphic.
February 10, 2026 at 1:29 PM
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Thank you to Tier 1 Sponsors Keystone Safari & Living Treasures Wild Animal Park! Sponsors dedicated to our cause make it possible for ZDR3 to carry out the mission of providing aid to zoological facilities, aquariums, & sanctuaries before, during, & after disasters and crises.

#zoo #aquarium
At top is the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo beside two spotlights shining on two logos: on left, the Keystone Safari log includes a giraffe; on right, the Living Treasures Wild Animal Park logo includes a kangaroo. Stars sweep across the bottom of the graphic.
February 8, 2026 at 2:08 PM
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Winter Storm Gianna is expected to bring snow, wind, and coastal flooding on the East Coast. Here’s how to contact us if your facility needs assistance www.zdr3.org/contact

We are Stronger Together

#winterstormgianna #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife
January 29, 2026 at 8:51 PM
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Before Winter Storm Fern, Crew Leads and Leadership at ZDR3 Network facilities across the country pledged teams and resources, including personnel, heavy equipment, and generators. These outpourings of support are what enables ZDR3 to commit assistance to potentially impacted facilities.
A polar bear is floating in water, looking at the camera. At top are 3 hearts beside the words "Thank you to the ZDR3 Network facilities willing to assist colleagues in need!" At the bottom it says, "We are Stronger Together," near the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo.
January 28, 2026 at 7:09 PM
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At ZDR3, we are proud to see excellent information from zoological facilities across the country that explains how they keep their personnel and animals safe.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mYw...

We are Stronger Together

#winterstormfern #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife
How North Texas zoos are protecting animals from the cold
YouTube video by WFAA
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:29 PM
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Zoological facilities & operations teams are important every day. During weather events, their role is mission-critical. They keep generators running, restore utilities, repair damage, & maintain safe conditions. Their work protects both people & animals.

#winterstormfern #zoo #aquarium #wildlife
January 26, 2026 at 7:08 PM
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At this time, we have not received any post-storm requests for assistance. But winter storms often generate needs after the initial event. Stay prepared with winter guidance from zoological professionals with cold weather experience.
www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...

#winterstormfern #zoo #wildlife
A tiger cub in the snow, looking at the camera. On top left it says "We got some great advice from winter weather zoo pros!" On top right is the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo. At the bottom it says "We are Stronger Together."
January 25, 2026 at 8:32 PM
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Zoological facilities have been preparing to protect their staff and animals. During extreme cold, many of the animals are moved indoors, and staff hunker down with them to ride out the storm. Ride-out teams are an essential part of disaster preparation for many facilities.
Beside the title, "Sending hugs to ride-out teams" is a cartoon of a heart hugging itself. There are 3 photos in this graphic. Top left shows birds in cages indoors, with heat lamps directed towards them. Bottom left shows giraffes being herded by animal keepers into indoor quarters. Photo on the right shows a sleeping bag on a platform beside a huge aquarium window with fish swimming near rocks.
January 24, 2026 at 8:48 PM
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ZDR3 is staying closely engaged with zoological facilities as Winter Storm Fern continues to impact the U.S. We will continue posting updates as we learn how the storm is impacting ZDR3 Network facilities.

#winterstormfern #icestorm #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse
January 23, 2026 at 11:10 PM
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#winterstormfern #icestorm
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
January 23, 2026 at 3:48 PM
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ZDR3 is the only zoological disaster response organization in the U.S. Joining the network is free and there is no cost to request aid during a disaster.
Learn more: www.zdr3.org/how-to-join-...

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
A pack of wolves is walking single file through the snow.
January 22, 2026 at 2:39 PM
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#winterstormfern #icestorm #zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
January 21, 2026 at 11:01 PM
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When we deploy a team to assist a devastated facility, they have been selected for their specific skills and resources. On our worst days, the most welcome assistance comes from those who best understand our unique needs.

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
Three men are lifting a damaged fence back into place beside a long dirt road lined with trees, including palm trees that suggest a Florida location. At the bottom, beside the tagline "We are Stronger Together" is the red, white, and black ZDR3 logo.
January 19, 2026 at 2:12 PM
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Read the ZDR3 2025 Impact Report to learn more about what we—as a community of professionals who protect the animals in our care—have accomplished, and what’s ahead. heyzine.com/flip-book/5a...

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #animalwelfare #conservation

📸: Fort Worth Zoo
An elephant stands in front of a large man-made pond in the midst of a beautiful enclosure that includes a lot of trees.
January 16, 2026 at 1:56 PM
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What happens if a ZDR3 Network member facility wants to offer assistance to a facility facing a disaster, but can’t send many staff members? Teams of all sizes & varied capabilities have value. There is no such thing as a team that’s “too small.” All help matters to the impacted institutions.
On the left, a man in a gray t-shirt and a baseball hat is writing on a legal pad. He is facing towards a tree that has been uprooted; there is an air conditioning unit on top of the root ball. The grass near the downed tree is partially submerged.
January 11, 2026 at 1:31 PM
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During the 2025 California wildfires, ZDR3 worked with facility leadership to assess risk, review evacuation triggers; identify staffing, transport, housing, life-support continuity, and specialized diet needs; and pre-align partners ready to assist.

Learn more: www.zdr3.org/stronger-tog...
The photo in this graphic features a veterinary clinician on the right, wearing dark scrubs and gloves, looking at a monitor above the patient, a raccoon that is lying on its back on a table, under anesthesia.
January 8, 2026 at 1:49 PM
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Over 6 years our network has grown to include more than 220 members across 40 states & U.S. territories, representing #zoos, #aquariums, #sanctuaries, & specialized #wildlife organizations of every size. Preparedness is a shared responsibility that unites the entire zoological community.
A map of the U.S. includes icons representing ZDR3 Network member facility locations spread throughout the mainland, Hawaii, and Guam.
January 5, 2026 at 1:58 PM
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When those of us who devote our lives to working with animals learn of a disaster that has befallen another facility, we feel great empathy for their animals and staff and want to do…something! For many, joining ZDR3 has answered the question: “How can we help?”
#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife
There are 3 photos in this graphic. 1. On the left, a deer with antlers is stepping down from an enclosed trailer with an open door, leading to a fenced area. A man in a gray hoodie is to the right, watching through the fence. 2. In the middle, there are 2 raccoons in transport crates, eating food from a bowl. A person in blue jeans and a gray coat is bending over, placing one of the crates. 3. A small monkey in a transport crate is looking out from a blanket covering all but its face.
January 2, 2026 at 12:57 PM
zdr3.bsky.social
We wish you a wonderful, disaster-free new year! But if your zoological facility needs assistance, we’re here for you.

We are Stronger Together

#zoo #aquarium #sanctuary #wildlife #disasterresponse #wearestrongertogether
January 1, 2026 at 12:06 PM
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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
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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