The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa are taking measures to protect animals and employees as Hurricane Milton approaches Florida’s west coast.
Hurricane Milton, currently a massive category five storm, is expected to hit west-central Florida tonight with winds of up to 165mph (270km/h).
At the Florida Aquarium, the team has carefully relocated nine African penguins from their habitat on the first floor to higher, safer ground.
This precautionary step will protect the animals from the possibility of severe flooding at the aquarium.
Penguins relocated at Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium has also moved a smack of moon jellies, six snakes, three lizards, three turtles, two alligators, two toads and a hermit crab.
Thousands of corals under the aquarium’s care, including endangered pillar and elkhorn coral, are being transported to safer locations in Georgia, West Palm Beach, and Miami.
In addition, the aquarium has taken in a rescued sea turtle from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene when it hit the Gulf Coast recently as a category four storm.
“The safety of our animals is our top priority,” said the Florida Aquarium’s president and CEO Roger Germann. “And we take every precaution to ensure their wellbeing during extreme weather events like Hurricane Milton.”
Hurricane precautions at ZooTampa
At ZooTampa, a ride-out crew will remain with the animals throughout the hurricane in case of an emergency.
The zoo is also moving its larger animals into buildings that can withstand major storms, while its smaller mammals and birds are being relocated into ancillary buildings, ABC News reports.
“The zoo has a comprehensive severe weather plan in place to ensure the safety of our animals and team members and will take all precautions as conditions warrant,” ZooTampa said in a statement on social media.
Disney, Universal, SeaWorld and Legoland are all closing their Florida theme parks ahead of the storm.
The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa are closed to the public through Friday (11 October).
Images courtesy of ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium
