Here’s how animals and their keepers are preparing for major storms at the Houston Zoo and cleanup efforts after Hurricane Beryl

HOUSTON – In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage in Houston, the Houston Zoo faced its own challenges.

KPRC 2’s Moriah Ballard spoke with zoo officials to learn how they prepare their animals and staff for such extreme weather events and the impact Beryl has had on their operations.

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Like much of Houston, the zoo suffered extensive damage, with trees downed and large clumps of bamboo scattered across the grounds.

Efforts are underway to clean up debris, particularly along the rear perimeter of the zoo.

The Houston Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals representing over 500 species. When asked how they keep all of these animals safe during storms, zoo officials praised their dedicated staff for caring for the animals.

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These professionals work closely with animals on a daily basis, teaching them behaviors that ensure their well-being.

Despite the unexpected severity of Hurricane Beryl, the zoo’s enclosures remained intact, ensuring all animals were safe in their night houses and barns throughout the event.

“There was no damage to any enclosures, so the animals were able to spend the night safely in their coops, in the barns, for the duration of the weather event,” said Jackie Wallace, assistant vice president of communications and public affairs.

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In response to concerns over some alarming images and videos, zoo officials clarified the situation. While there has been flooding on campus, they said they have taken proactive steps to clear storm drains to effectively manage water levels.

“We had some flooding, so there was some flooding on campus, but we went around to clear the storm drains, to let the water flow out. The whole campus was designed for that,” said Ben Jones, vice president of conservation and education.