Flamingos take refuge in a toilet at Miami-Metro Zoo September 14, 1999 as tropical-storm power … [+]
Since Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida earlier this week, pictures of the devastation have been shared on social media – as have the rescue efforts. It is not simply the folks of Florida who’ve wanted rescuing, as lots of our four-legged buddies additionally required some assist.
“Saving Animals From Hurricane Ian. Animal Victory has a nonprofit fund particularly for animals in crises and disasters; 90 cents of each greenback goes in the direction of getting the animals rescued and reunited,” tweeted advocacy group Animal Victory (@animal_victory), which shared pictures of its efforts.
The Clearwater Aquarium (@CMAquarium) additionally introduced this week that its inhabitants have been doing nicely, tweeting, “CMA weathered Hurricane Ian with minor damages. Our workers and our animals are all doing nicely! CMA’s efforts will now shift to serving to animals within the wild affected by the hurricane. Our rescue crew will help our stranding community and neighborhood of companions.”
Hunker Down
Even earlier than the storm made landfall, Floridians have been warned to be aware of animals that could possibly be in search of shelter from the storm together with alligators and snakes. Nevertheless, different animals had been given a serving to hand.
That included the well-known flamingos from Sunken Backyard, a botanical park situated in onerous hit St. Petersburg. Pictures have been trending of round a dozen cotton-candy pink flamingos huddled in a public lavatory.
“We’re hunkered down! Our animals are secure w/workers on website to see them via the storm. The flamingos are having a hurricane celebration within the lavatory; consuming, consuming, & dancing. Keep secure on the market!,” @SunkenGardens tweeted.
The self-described botanical paradise within the midst of a bustling metropolis additionally posted by way of its Instagram account, “We’re hunkered down and hoping for one of the best for all in hurricane Ian’s path-including all of the animals. Our flamingos, tortoises, and different unique birds are secure and sound with workers on website to observe them all through the storm. The flamingos are having fairly the hurricane celebration; consuming, consuming, and dancing whereas the Brazilian red-footed tortoises like to snuggle on their approach to bigger indoor lodging.”
Birds In Loos (Once more)
The photograph of the flamingos within the park’s lavatory was quickly in comparison with a now iconic picture that was taken 30 years in the past simply earlier than Hurricane Andrew, a Class 5 storm, struck South Florida. That picture from third many years in the past made the rounds worldwide in an period nicely earlier than social media!
“Of the numerous pictures I’ve captured in my life, none is extra iconic than this one. I can not consider it has been 30 years since Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida. I will always remember capturing this picture of the zoos flamingos huddled within the girls restroom for cover,” Ron Magill (@RonMagill), the Metrozoo photographer and now the communications director at Zoo Miami, tweeted in August – possible not anticipating related pictures can be seen only a month later!
The same picture of Flamingos in a toilet was taken once more in September 1999 as Hurricane Floyd approached Miami.
As again then, public restrooms once more proved to be best as “chook bunkers,” as they’re sturdy and windowless. Thus it hasn’t been stunning to see the hashtag #BirdsinBathrooms making the rounds once more. Different birds of a feather hunkered collectively in Florida loos.
Some Floridians additionally needed to get inventive to seek out safety for his or her animals. That included chickens in a bathe!
“Let this be your reminder to deliver ALL of your pets inside like Stephanie Fletcher did in Tampa!,” tweeted information channel 10 Tampa Bay (@TampaBay).
It seems that many of those animals could have had a neater time driving out the storm than the folks of Florida. Let’s hope they and the folks of the Sunshine State can anticipate a fast restoration.
