US News
San Diego zoo ordered closed, Wild Animal park in immediate danger
By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 22, 2007, 18:57 GMT
Firefighters attempt to save homes in Rancho Bernardo, California, USA on 22 October 2007. More than a dozen wildfires have engulfed Southern California, killing at least one person, injuring dozens more and threatening scores of structures County officals have reported.. EPA/SEAN MASTERSON
CNN is reporting the San Diego County fires have moved south into the city of San Diego through the San Pasqual Valley, heading toward the Wild Animal Park.
CNN reports that the Wild Animal Park, nearby to the world-famous zoo - is in the immediate threat to the fires.
The animal park evacuated its staff to the San Diego Zoo, and the most at-risk and endangered animals were moved to a fire-resistant hospital on the park property, including California condors, several bird species, some snakes and some smaller mammals. Larger animals were left in their open areas for now, according to CNN.
"There are lots of ponds for the animals to retreat to," said a Wild Animal Park spokesman.
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Older Talkback
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GM, you are right..it is quite a bit away! (Escondido from San Diego/Balboa Park) I think perhaps they were confusing it with the Hospital, which is adjacent to the park. The hospital itself is built to withstand fires to a certain degree.
I was a keeper there for 2 years..I know they do have fire resistant precautions in effect and the animals are not stupid. But I am just so worried for them. I know my focus should be on saving human lives, but I just can't stop worrying about those animals. They just had a baby African elephant born last month..I wonder how she is doing?
I am praying all animals make it through alive and well.
Wild Animal Park. 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, 35 miles north of the San Diego Zoo and east of Escondido
www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/index.html -
If anyone has any idea whether the animals are safe or not, please let me know.
The Wild Animal Park is adjacent to Rancho Bernardo, which while part of the City of San Diego is 20+ miles from the San Diego Zoo.
The Wild Animal Park is very large, with many areas for animals to retreat. They did say they took vulnerable animals into the Park's hospital, which is well away from anything that would burn.
I hope all the animals are going to be fine and if help is needed please let me know if they need help because I'm a keeper's club member there. And so is me Fiance we want to help with putting out the fire or helping with the animals..
Thanks alot..
I'm worried about the animals - I hope they can protect themselves (the ones that are free).
I work for Orfila Vineyards the winery down the road - I'm also worried about the vines and the business all together. I've been unable to talk to anyone else who works with me. Of course, I am concerned with all the people! This is terrible...
Hi I have a sister her husband and two children in Ranchita CA does anyone know if they are being affected over on that side. We have not been able to contact them or them us. Very worried...
We are all so worried. I keep checking all of the time hoping the fire has turned away from the park. To whoever said that the animals are not stupid..........is there enough water there for the animals to go to? Let's all just keep our fingers and toes crossed.
seaparade
How far away is Spring Valley from where the fires are at this moment? Is the the San Diego Zoo closed and in danger?
piba@aol.com
The number one cause of fire deaths is not the fire, but the smoke. The biggest worry I have is if they will all be okay air wise.
Spring Valley and the zoo are not anywhere near each other. Wild Animal Park and Zoo are two different places separated by miles. If you want to worry about animals, worry about those at the Wild Animal Park, which is surrounded by suburbs and ranch land and open space. Zoo is surrounded by plenty of urban space which will be defended fiercely if the fire comes anywhere near it.
Theres a direct update to the SD zoo if you visit their website. Just google it, I can't link the site here.
I know there is much human suffering due to these awful fires, but PLEASE YOU AMERICANS, don`t let the poor animals in the San Diego Zoo be harmed.
This Zoo is such a marvelous and unique example of conservation and astounding animal care that you must not let this perfect wild life park be destroyed if at all possible.
My deepest feelings and anxiety for all your efforts are with you constantly.
I wish the folks at the Animal Park would keep us posted on what is going on - it seems that would be good PR for them to keep those who are concerned (donners and potential donners) informed - as the networks and cable seem to be ignoring The Park
The Witch fire I believe is very near the park - there are cameras in the park (elephants' enclosure) Has anyone been able to access the cameras in the park?
There are several baby and young elephants and at least one of the elephants is pregnant - their pen is near the open-spaced brush - dense areas - though their enclosue is fairly free of brush
Tigers and lions are in enclosures with a good deal of brush
Are their keepers in the park - they must be - I so wish there were more information - with the Internet it seems that a park person should be posting to let us know - updating - the lack of information for those of us far away is frustrating and frightening
If the park has a fire plan it would be good if they let the people who care about The Park and the animals know what is going on - just makes sense
I live in Minnesota but I visited San Diego and the Wild Animal Park just last week! I love the park and I hope it will be spared by the fires! According to a recent post on the park's web site, it's 'out of immediate harm's way. Spot fires have been successfully extinguished and winds have reportedly shifted direction and died down in the area.'
Animals and park are claimed to be ok as of this posting:
h t t p : / / sandiegozoo . o r g / wpmu/fire/
Animals in the zoo and wildlife refuge must be given (at least)the same attention as the houses in the area. These are precious lives that cannot be
abandoned. How could such cruelty be allowed. I beg of you: protect the animals.
To be sure they could be transported to farms and ranches outside the threatened area. Don't sit around figuring what to do. Get busy now before
the fire is on top of you. I am so very worried about them.
Yes I have experienced animals threatened by wildfire. Time cannot be wasted. Fire moves fast as the speed of light. We all must meditate on 'no wind!'
Actually,why don't we give our planet the same care.These fires were predicted for a while already
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5541423
At the Wild Animal Park
Posted at 1:15 pm October 23, 2007 by Public Relations
Due to the fire conditions in the Inland areas of San Diego, the Wild Animal Park is closed both today and tomorrow (Wednesday, October 24). The current plan is to reopen on Thursday, October 25.
Pre-purchased tickets can be exchanged for admittance to the San Diego Zoo by visiting the Zoo’s Guest Relations window.
As of 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23, the Wild Animal Park has sustained some fire and wind damage to some facilities, but the animals continue to be okay. Spot fires are still turning up and are being extinguished. A small core of employees are on hand to care for the animals while others are assisting with fire and wind damage. All the California condors remain safely at the fire-safe Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center. However, one of the empty condor breeding facilities has been lost to fire. Again, the condors were already safely housed at the veterinary facility along with education animals. A storage facility containing Festival of Lights event materials was also burned. Winds have damaged trees throughout the Park, but again the animals and exhibits are weathering the storm.
The biggest danger to the animals is smoke inhalation, that is what normally harms animals. If they have a smoke proof environment, please let me know!!
So, the newborn African elephant is out there in the fire?!
Am I the only person who's furious that those in positions of authority (ie, San Diego Zoo leadership, City and State leadership), cannot provide safe shelther or evacuate ALL of the animals in their charge in an emergency? Is anyone asking why the San Diego Wild Animal Park wasn't prepared for the eventuality of a wildfire? If we lose even a single one of these precious animals to this fire, their error in planning will have proved to be unforgivable.
First off, the article quoted here is grossly incorrect. The Zoo is open, and the Park sustained minor damage; all animals are in good shape.
Secondly, the Zoological Society is extremely prepared for wildfires. They have constructed firebreaks and provided irrigation for the park's large enclosures. They have an emergency plan in place that has to all appearances worked perfectly in this crisis. Animals with climate controlled options -- condors, education animals, gorillas, bonobos, lions, tigers and others were placed in easily defensible climate controlled buildings with sprinkler systems.
As far as the field exhibits go - the safest place for these animals is in their exhibits. Stop and think for a moment how difficult it would be to try to herd 50+ rhinos, a dozen elephants and giraffes plus others. These guys simply can't be transported easily and even if they did try to evacuate them -- it is extraordinarily dangerous for people and the animals. Let's not even discuss the logistical impossibility of finding vehicles and crates for 3000+ hooved stock. Better to leave them in a familiar, defensible space. Most of these herd animals come from areas that catch on fire. They seem to instinctively know what to do under these circumstances. It's happened before - they just keep an eye on the fire, move away from it, and if they feel threatened go into their watering hole. Exactly what they would do if they were in the savanna or wherever they are from.
The Park is safe, and looks to reopen on Thursday. Thanks to the great contingency planning and the heroic efforts of the keepers and fire crews who stayed behind to keep everyone safe.
When I posted this article MONDAY morning, it was 100% accurate based on news reports from CNN.
Subsequent articles have been posted on the Zoo with accurate information.
I understand some concern over the Wild Animal Park but many do not know that there is a brand new Vet/Hosp on the grounds and with as many acres that the park covers there is also a fire break space around the park. These animals were admist a fire in 1993 along with both the Cedar and Paradise fires of 2003. I also was in these two senarios, having my home just up the hill on the 78 btween the Park and Ramona. In both instances I was able to wait out the possible evacuation(in 1993 with firemen sitting in my backyard, for which I truly do thank them and 2003 by myself a loaded vehicle travel trailer and two dogs). This time I have no idea if my house is still standing. One moment my house was on the fringe and now smack dab in the middle. As for the smoke inhalation the animals are in the same boat as we poor pathetic humans are, but their instinct for survival is far greater than ours.
I am absolutely horrified that around 1000 homes and businesses have been destroyed, completely ruining those peoples lives for ever. They will eventually be it in after shock, have to start all over again at year zero. All property built up over years, possessions and family history etc. erased. I find it a tremendous burden to bear thinking of you all.
Everything GONE, no nothing. Also with about 1M people evacuated, with all the distress that causes, having to leave their property at the mercy of either the fires or looters. Plus all huge area of land burned out, with all the wild life etc.
I really do not see why Americans should suffer these catastrophes, fires, earthquakes, floods, draughts, tornadoes, hurricanes, tidal waves etc.
Disasters occur all over the world as we know and do you know what ? America is leader together with other western nations in donating billions of dollars to help them. WHO HELPS AMERICA ?
NOBODY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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GM in OCOct 22nd, 2007 - 19:27:51
Actually, Wild Animal Park is not 'adjacent' to the Zoo, it is up in Escondido. I hope everyone down there is okay.
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