HOUSTON – In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage across Houston, the Houston Zoo faced its own challenges.
KPRC 2′s Moriah Ballard spoke with zoo representatives to understand how they prepare their animals and staff for such extreme weather events, and the impact Beryl had on their operations.
Like much of Houston, the zoo experienced substantial damage with downed trees and large clumps of bamboo scattered across the grounds.
Efforts are underway to clear the debris, particularly along the back perimeter of the zoo.
The Houston Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals representing over 500 species. When asked how they manage to keep all these animals safe during storms, zoo representatives credited their dedicated animal care staff.
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These professionals work closely with the animals daily, teaching them behaviors that ensure their welfare.
Despite the unexpected severity of Hurricane Beryl, the zoo’s enclosures remained intact, ensuring that all animals were safe in their nighthouses and barns throughout the event.
“None of the enclosures were damaged. So, the animals could all spend the night very safe and sound in their night houses, in barns throughout the weather event,” said the Assistant Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Jackie Wallace.
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Addressing concerns raised by some alarming images and videos, zoo representatives clarified the situation. While there was flooding on the campus, they said they were proactive in clearing storm drains to manage the water levels effectively.
“Well, we did have some flooding, so there was flooding on the campus, but we were going around clearing storm drains, letting that water drain off. The whole campus was designed for that,” said Ben Jones, Vice President of Conservation and Education.