Oct 1, 2022
Less than 24 hours after the near category 5 strength hurricane Ian made landfall in southwestern Florida, Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery (ZDR3) executive director, Julia Wagner, was already booked on a flight to help the region's zoos and aquariums. Julia describes the consortium of over 100 zoological facilities nationwide who have signed on to lend assistance, staffing, expertise, and other resources whenever facilities request help following natural and made-made disasters or incidents. This mutual help is offered freely among zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and exotic animal businesses independent of various trade affiliations. Joining in the effort to help ensure the mental well-being of animal professionals whose work and home lives have been disrupted is GRAZE, Growing Resiliency for Aquarium and Zoo Employees.