As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s Gulf Coast, ZooTampa is keeping its 1,000 animals safe within its grounds, despite being located in a mandatory evacuation zone. Animals such as African elephants, Caribbean flamingos, and pygmy hippos are being housed in hurricane-hardened buildings, according to Tiffany Burns, Senior Director of Animal Programs at the zoo.
“We’re in Florida, we know hurricanes,” Burns said. “It’s just a matter of watching what degree we’re dealing with and responding to that.”
While some animals like alligators will remain in their habitats, others, including flamingos and macaws, are being relocated to more secure locations within the zoo. Each species reacts differently to storms, with some requiring extra care and space to reduce stress.
Despite the threat of Milton, the zoo has prepared with additional food, water, and staff on-site to care for the animals throughout the storm.
“Our animals are absolutely resilient,” Burns added. “We really try to minimize their stress.”
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key as a Category 3 storm, bringing significant winds and storm surge.
