Tampa (Business Emerge), October 10: As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, ZooTampa is keeping its African elephants, flamingos, pygmy hippos, and approximately 1,000 other animals safe without relocating them off the 70-acre (28-hectare) property. Despite being in a mandatory evacuation zone, zoo officials, like Tiffany Burns, Senior Director of Animal Programs, emphasized the zoo’s preparedness. She confirmed that there was no need for the animals to leave the zoo, even though the powerful storm is forecasted to be catastrophic.
ZooTampa’s staff is taking extra precautions to shelter the animals in hurricane-proof areas, including barns and crates located within reinforced buildings designed to withstand severe weather. Certain species, like alligators, will remain in their natural habitats, resting at the bottom of their ponds, largely unaffected by the storm. “Nothing bothers them,” Burns remarked, referring to the animals’ resilience, even in the face of a potentially deadly storm.
Having been through hurricanes before, Burns expressed confidence in the zoo’s ability to protect its animals during Hurricane Milton. Florida’s weather patterns have made the staff well-versed in dealing with such situations. Burns noted that just two weeks prior, the zoo faced Hurricane Helene with no damage. Since its inception in the 1930s, ZooTampa has yet to experience a direct hit, though it remains vigilant with each approaching storm.