OAN Staff Avril Elfie
1:15pm – Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Volunteers at the Tampa Zoo and Florida Aquarium are reportedly expected to stand with their animals in the face of Hurricane Milton and protect all animals as best they can.
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A Tampa Zoo spokesperson told reporters that about 12 zoo employees, including care staff and medical workers, have given up the opportunity to evacuate the area themselves and will be evacuating with the animals.
They also noted that much larger animals such as elephants and giraffes have been moved to on-site barns built to withstand heavy storms, while smaller mammals and birds are confined to the facility's main building.
“During the storm, an evacuation team consisting of Animal Care, Animal Health, Safety, Maintenance, and Horticulture remains on scene to care for animals, monitor life support equipment, manage generators, and assess damage. We appreciate it,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, at the Florida Aquarium, staff reportedly evacuated a moon jellyfish, six snakes, three lizards, three turtles, two alligators, two toads and a hermit crab. Nine African penguins were also moved to higher ground on Tuesday, as were thousands of corals.
Employees stationed at the facility where the animals are located will monitor the marine animals' life support systems and manage generators to ensure the aquarium's filtration system is working reliably.
“Animal safety is our top priority,” said Florida Aquarium President Roger German. “And we take every precaution to ensure their health during extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton.”
Additionally, staff at Croc Encounters Reptile Park were seen rushing to prepare more than 100 crocodiles, alligators and snakes for the impending storm. Park owner John Panner said: washington post Exit, He said the alligator and alligator were kept in a steel shipping container along with the double-bagged snake.
As for steel containers, he says, “You can drop a tree on them and it won't be a problem.”
“We have to hope for the best,” Panner added of storm preparedness. “And it starts from there.”
Milton is heading toward the Florida coast, and millions of local residents have been ordered to evacuate. The Tampa Bay region, with a population of more than 3.3 million people, hasn't been hit by a major hurricane in more than a century.
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