Santa Barbara Zoo prepares for possible evacuation due to Thomas Fire
The Santa Barbara Zoo, which is near the mandatory evacuation zone for the the massive Thomas Fire, closed its doors Saturday and began preparing for a possible evacuation.
Some animals have been placed in crates for a potential evacuation to predetermined locations, according to a post on the Santa Barbara Zoo Facebook page Saturday morning.
The zoo houses about 150 species, including a pair of Amur leopards, a critically endangered species. Workers began putting vultures, California condors and some smaller animals into crates and kennels in case the fire approached.
“Everything is fine right now. The wind has shifted in our favor,” spokesman Dean Noble told The Associated Press. “However, we just don’t want to get caught by something unexpected.”
Other zoos are ready to accept the evacuated animals, he said. The Fresno zoo has an incubator available for a baby giant anteater, and the San Diego Zoo is prepared to accept the Amur leopards and other cats, Noble said.
Public assistance is not needed, and zoo staff asked that people do not go to the zoo.
Lucas Clark: 805-781-7915, @LucasClark_SLO
This story was originally published December 16, 2017 at 5:21 PM with the headline "Santa Barbara Zoo prepares for possible evacuation due to Thomas Fire."