Fire Update from the Wild Animal Park
Posted at 9:37 am October 25, 2007 by Yadira Galindo
Windows Media version | Quicktime version
In this video, Wild Animal Park curator of birds Mike Mace talks about the recent fires that threatened the Wild Animal Park.
It’s unbelievable! So much land has been scorched in North San Diego County, including 600 acres at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, but I have to say that I repeatedly breathed a heavy sigh of relief Wednesday as I toured the Park for the first time since the fires relentlessly moved through the area.
It could have been devastating. Hillsides along the outskirts of the Wild Animal Park, where visitors don’t go, burned everything from shrubs to cactus, stopping in most cases just short of animal housing, in some instances because of the heroic work of our dedicated staff and other times it may have been sheer luck. The fire was sweeping downhill quickly, making its way towards areas housing endangered species such as dholes (wild dogs), cheetahs, and a variety of birds such as clapper rails and hornbills. Using hoses and any other resources available, our animal care staff tried to keep the dholes safe as the fire closed in. Two members of the garage team drove past in a water truck; they stopped immediately to help. They drove circles around the enclosure pouring water into the dholes’ housing, hoping to saturate it with enough water to reduce the impact of the fire. The team stopped only when the fire was unsafely close. Miraculously, the fire pushed past the dhole and cheetah enclosures, burning only the vegetation and dirt paths between the two areas while leaving the animals untouched.
As the fire moved past the dholes, it crept up to the off-exhibit bird compound. Some of these critically endangered species had been evacuated to a safe zone at the Park (the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center), but others stayed behind. The loss would have been disastrous. The fire burned right up against the Bird Breeding Complex, causing damage to one evacuated aviary. But the rest of the complex was left untouched. The fire continued on the west, sidestepping the hub of the Park and moving alongside the outlying areas. If you visit the Park, you will see burned hillsides resting against the Park’s large field enclosures. But the animal enclosures housing rhinos, giraffes, antelope, birds, and others are still green. Irrigated and clear of heavy vegetation, it was the safest place for these animals.
As the fires approached, most animals headed to the other end of their enclosures and simply watched. They didn’t seem to panic, say keepers. In fact, some animals simply stayed where they were and merely glanced in the fire’s direction. Unfortunately, we did lose two of the Park’s 3,500 animals as of Wednesday, October 24: a kiang (wild ass) and a clapper rail. They were not burned but likely were stressed by the fire. We did everything we could to keep them safe. Both animals are a significant loss to the Park, but the actions of our staff and firefighters saved thousands of other lives.
When the fire threatened the Park’s Conifer Forest, firefighters came to our side, stopping it before it could do any critical damage. Had they not, this story may have had a very different ending. We didn’t come out of this completely unscathed. We lost one of the California condor breeding facilities, but once again no animals were lost. The California condors had also been moved to the Park’s safe-zone. We lost Festival of Lights fixtures and decorations, but these are material items that can be replaced. The vegetation will come back and the buildings rebuilt. So I breathed a heavy sigh of relief seeing that the 600 acres that burned on the Park grounds will not change the heart of the Park: the animals and our staff.
It amazes me hearing the stories of the Park’s employees. So many of them did not know if their homes were still standing. Their homes were directly in the path of the fire, many had been evacuated themselves, and still they stayed for hours fighting to keep the animals safe. They stayed until they were asked to leave when the fires threatened the Park and returned as soon as it was safe. There was no hesitation on anyone’s part and that’s what made the Park lucky!
Even San Diego Zoo staff was at the Park helping in whatever way possible. As I walked through the Park I ran across one of our CRES researchers cleaning chairs. Everyone was working as a team, even if meant doing a job that is completely out of their field. Sigh. This is truly a wonderful and dedicated family. I am proud to be on this team.
As for the animals, it was life as usual for most of them Wednesday. The animals in the fields grazed, slept, pranced, and simply lived. The last of the animals evacuated to the safe zone moved back to their homes Wednesday and so the Park is returning to normal, just a little charred but safe.
Thank you to the dedicated Park and Zoo staff for all you do, as well as the emergency services units that assisted us during this crisis. Thank you all for your support!
Yadira Galindo is a public relations representative for the Zoological Society of San Diego.
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October 25th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Glad to hear your staff at the zoo did such an amazing job keeping the animals safe. Here in Florida we get our share of smoke and hurricane’s, so we understand what your are going through. Thanks to all. I cannot wait to come and visit your zoo. I have been to DC and got to see Tia Shan and I cannot wait to come and see all your Panda’s. Keep safe and you all are in my prayers. Great job…..Debra Shuman from Pinellas Park, Florida.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:31 am
I visited the park in March, 2006 and loved it. I was very concerned when I heard about the wildfires. I am so glad that all but 2 of the animals and birds are safe and well. I think the work you do is inspiring. My personal favorites were the baby hippo (or was it a baby rhino?) and calf exhibit and the lorikeet exhibit. I also enjoyed all the other bird exhibits. Keep up the great work you are doing!!!!
October 25th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I’m glad to see that the animals came through safely. Recognized or not, God’s hand is the staying force for which we can all be thankful — fire or no fire.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:56 am
dear yadira, i hope you’ll give our loving God some credit for saving the park. luck has nothing to do with it.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:07 am
We visit your site often, The kids in our class love to watch the animals. We are glad that the animals are doing well.
j guth
Jackson mo
October 25th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I have been checking your website daily.. along with the zoo and sea world.. I am so happy to hear that all is well for the animals. I am just north of you and we have been lucky to not have any fires in our area. I wish the best for everyone in the area, but the animals, they don’t have the ability to leave or evacuate and completely depend on the people around them. Kudos to all of the dedicated staff at the park.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Patricia, that is uncalled for. Various beliefs are what make our world beautiful and for some it is luck and it is due to the hard work of the staff. What would you say to the thousands who have lost their homes?
Life is life, and is shaped by the people living it. Perhaps if our world was not fallling into a heat wave and our air was not so polluted, hot and arrid due to global warming.. we would not find ourselves in so many of these horrible situations.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:35 am
My son and I were worried about the status of the Wild Animal Park as it was our favorite destination when we made a visit to San Diego almost two years ago.
We spent our Christmas vacation and did have a chance to see the Festival of Lights, along with the wonderful youth volunteers at each activity area and the brilliant orchestra–just a magical place to spend the holidays. A few days later, we returned to visit the actual facility–enjoyed feeding the giraffes and taking a safari ride.
There really is no other place in the continental U.S. that provides this type of experience and we are so grateful that the park and its inhabitants were spared the tragedy of the CA wildfires. Our best wishes to the park employees and those who lost their homes and livelihoods.
We to visit again soon to help aid in the San Diego area economic recovery efforts.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
My husband and I have been so worried for all the animals as well as the employees and there families who work for and/or reside in the San Diego area. I am sorry to hear of the loss of the two animals, however so happy to know all others are safe and no major damage done to the park or animals. We so enjoyed our time at the Wild Animal park as well as the San Diego Zoo this past May, that we were so heart broken to see the fires unfortunately made there way to the Wild Animal Park.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication, and cannot wait to come back to the San Diego area and see the parks again!
October 25th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Thank you, Yadira, for your thorough update telling us of the mostly very good news at our beloved WAP. We are all very thankful for the dedication and firefighting of the staff. I also appreciate and respect your (consciously or unconsciously) leaving any element of theism out of the blog. While I may believe in God, many others do not, and the Park should not have anything to do with this. As a researching scientist who has spent several hours in the open space areas adjacent to the exhibits (the hundreds of acres that did burn), I also appreciate you mentioning those areas. They are important, too, to all the native California organisms that inhabit it, some of which sadly may have perished. Fortunately, nature has an amazing way of renewing itself!
October 25th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Thanks so much for keeping updates on the Wild Animal Park. I really appreciate hope open you all have been with the information, it helped relieve a lot of my fears for the animals. I lived my entire live in Poway, up until 3 months ago when I moved to Pittsburgh for college. My heart was with everyone in San Diego County, and with the staff and animals of the Wild Animal Park. Though I am sad to hear of the loss of two animals, I am so thankful that it was only two, it could have been so much worse. To all the staff, thank you for everything.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Thanks be to GOD, you are all safe, except for the sad loss of the Clapper Rail and Kiang.
The Wild Animal Park is a most wonderful place, magical in nature with the animals in the open spaces most like they would be in the wild. There is no where else like it, that I am aware of, except reserves in the animals’ native habitat. It would be a price-less lose if any of that were to have been destroyed.
The animals are most adaptable with such dedicated staff who are literally the world’s best. You are truely awesome, and your dedication is unmatched. The animals’ thanks are that they were, with your unbelievable help, able to remain calm and safe and continue on with “life as usual.”
It is testiment to the overall care and husbandry that is provided for these most blessed animals.
May GOD continue to protect and guide you as you care for his creatures, and also each other. Now it is time to regroup and support and aid each other as you pick up the pieces of your personal lives. Hopefully the knowledge that thoughts and prayers on your behalf are being expressed globally will help ease some of the pain you are bound to be feeling.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
I have been reading all the entries on the fire updates on your website for the last 2 days. To echo what many others have said, Thank You, for taking the time to let the public know what has happened even though you all have been working so hard at keeping the WAP and all its inhabitants safe. I live in Michigan and visited your park a year ago for the first time. It is amazing, and the zoo is amazing too. When we heard about the fires we immediately thought of the Park and Zoo and wondered if they were in harm’s way.
Thank you for posting this blog, it goes into a lot of detail that many of us were wondering about. The staff must truly be unselfish, dedicated people, I consider them to be heros…. They ARE heros, no doubt about it.
Thank you also for posting the link so that we may make donations online, could not be easier, I know I will be donating along with many others I am sure, because of what has happened.
I have been praying for the animals, the staff, firefighters, and all the families. I know many others have been praying also, and we continue to do so. All this collective thought I hope is helping.
I am sorry you have lost 2 lives, my sympathy to everyone.
I am worried about possible after effects of the fire… is there a chance that the animals and humans may still be in danger because of all the smoke and debris that was and is airborne?
Thank you again for all you have done and all you do.
You will continue to be in my prayers, keep everyone safe and well.
Blessed Be
October 25th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Our thoughts go out to you all and your friends and families that have lost everything in the fires path. Being in New Zealand i can only imagine the stress that has been put on to the zoo staff. Glad to hear that most of the animals are ok. Love watching the Polar Bears and Elephants on the live streams. Keep up the good work and hopefully it won’t take long to rebuild the structures that have been damaged. Take care. K from New Zealand
October 25th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I am so glad to hear that all are well (if a little tired and scared). I hope that your families and homes are well, also.
Best wishes from Brooklyn, NY
October 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Thank you so very much for the updates during the fires! I have been so worried and checked your site several times a day, but knew in my heart hat you all would do everything possible to protect those wonderful creatures in your care. As a California girl living in Maine, I come back whenever I can, and I’m coming out there the first week of November and bringing a friend. I just love the Park, and can’t wait to see it again and show my friend all the wonders.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I have a plan go to the zoo this sunday 10/28/2007 with my family. but right now, I am not sure is it o.k. to go to there?
Moderator’s note: The San Diego Zoo remains open for visitors. And the Wild Animal Park is expecting to open for visitors tomorrow (Friday). We’d love to have you!
October 25th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
Thank you so much for the updates. I am so thrilled to hear everything is going to be okay. You truly have an amazing staff and everyone deserves a pat on the back for all their hard work and dedication. My family and I live in Arizona and were planning a trip there in 2 weeks, in fact I just purchased tickets online today and my children are so excited!! Again we are so happy everyone is safe and that such a wonderful park is still with us to continue the conservation of animals. See you soon!!
October 25th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
We am so glad to hear that everything is getting back to normal. We will be visiting our favorite zoo again on the 8th of November and it is wonderful knowing that all the precautions that you have taken in the past paid off in saving the animals and the park.
See you soon.
October 25th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
We visited the Park in March 2007. We were enthralled by the Park and the enthusiasm of the staff and their dedication and care of the animals. Thank you for all the information about the fire since none of the news media we listened to mentioned the Park. We appreciate all the work you did to protect and save the animals. We often look at your site and are particularly interested in the elephant news and the arrival of the new baby elephants. Your staff members at that site were so interesting and informative about the individual elephants. It’s good to have you on line.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I brought my 10 yr. old granddaughter to the zoo and animal park 2 years ago. When each of my grandchildren reach age 10 they pick out any place in the U.S. they would like to go to with grandma for a week. Casey picked SanDiego Sea World, Zoo and Wild Animal Park. It was a magical week; we have so many fond memories and pictures. I highly recommend to any of the other grandparents out there to do the same. I think my, now 8 year old, wants to go there when he turns 10. YEAH!
October 25th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Thanks for including regular updates on the WAP web site and for this blog in particular. Every time I checked online for the status of the fires in Southern California, and especially North County where I grew up, I found that I also had to check on the WAP web site, given that San Pasqual Valley was burning. It had been a long time since I had thought about how much the Park meant to me as a child. It was my favorite place to go, and probably helped my choose to become a wildlife biologist. I am inspired by the dedication of the Park staff; it’s a reminder of the success we can achieve when inspired to do something we care about as a group. I second Mark’s comments above and hope the native California wildlife will recover quickly.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
My son is an animal handler at the park. He gave me updates with phone calls and I also checked this site for additional news of the park and animals. I’m so glad that the fire spared the park except for the areas and animals that you mentioned. Thanks for keeping us posted. I’m located on the east coast in Virginia. Tell Noah “hello” from his mom
October 25th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Hope IS a thing with feathers. As in any disaster, your true human/animal spirit is inspiring. Thank you for the updates and all your hard work. Blessings.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
I have visited from Philadelphia twice and have gone on the Photo Safari. I am a docent at the Philadelphia Zoo and today was the first time I was able to relax after reading that almost everything is okay. I have read the postings since the beginning and am thankful for these updates. I will be visiting again in December.
October 25th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
The SDZ staff who stayed and helped keep the animals safe are true heroes in my book! I cannot begin to say how in awe I am of you all. A million thank-yous to each and every one of you!
October 25th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Thank you for keeping everyone updated through out this horrible week. We visited the park in April 2007 and had the time of our lives. My 8 year old daughter has been happy to hear the daily updates. Congratulation to a great staff and a job well done. You are all in our thoughts and prayers and we hope your own homes came throught the fires as well as the park. May you all be blessed for all your hard work and dedication!
October 25th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
To all of you…SD Zoo/Wild Animal Park staff and all of your beloved animals.
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Thank you so much
for the updates. We’ve been so worried about you! Please take care of yourselves
and keep us all updated about what can be done to help out.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I am so sorry to hear that 9 of your employees lost their homes to the fires. One of things I love about the SD Wild Animal Park is the wonderful employees that take care for the animals and help educate the public about these endangered species. I have met many of them and love their enthusiasm and passion for the animals which is so evident everytime I visit the park. Please, anything you need to help these people, let us know. Seeing the joy in staff workers faces when Abena and Bakari were born and came out of the chute for the first time and the other lion cubs and then the beautiful sumatran tigers and baby elephants and seeing the bonding between staff and the cheetahs. This is just heartbreaking and to think that some of the staff stayed until they were kicked out to save the animals just shows the character and passion of these individuals. Anything we can do to help, please let us know.
I am planning to visit tomorrow and will get the word out since the media doesn’t seem to know where North County is.
October 25th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Thank You So Much Yadira for your update. I can only imagine how you felt each time your dread was turned into relief. I read once that, ‘You are never granted a wish without the power to make it come true’ and I believe that the thousands of wishes and thoughts and prayers sent your way culminated in the power of the heroic strength of the truly dedicated staff that watches over all at the WAP and the Zoo. I cry for your two losses and rejoice in All your successes. I am so sorry that nine of your staff lost their homes and hope that their lives will soon return to ‘normal’.
It probably seems redundant to again say Please Take Care of Yourselves, but I know it is truly heartfelt and meant by everyone, including me, my family and friends.
Blessed Be All of Thee With Love, Judy J
October 25th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
Thank you for the update, and thank God for all the dedicated employees our beautiful and wonderful Wild Animal Park is still there and especially all of our precious animals made it through this horrible fire. I am so sad to hear we lost 2 animals, but it could have been worse. I am in the pet sitting business and I had to evacuate clients pets and bring them to my home until it was safe to return them home, so I know this was a difficult time for everyone.
Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers at this time, I am looking forward to going back to the Wild animal park and I can’t wait to say thank you to all the staff and animal keepers for a job well done we still have a animals and the park one of my most favorite places to be besides the Zoo.
October 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Yadira, all I can say is WOW!!! Boy, did you guys have a lot of stuff going on there this whole week! First, my condolences on the losses of the kiang and the clapper rail. I kind of figured when I read about this yesterday that the stress from the fire situation was probably the cause of the 2 animals dying, so I’m glad that you clarified that. I just hope that you have a lot of clapper rails and kiangs still there to make up for those losses. What about the baby clapper rail chick? I sure do hope that was not the rail that died! From reading your blog, you all had a huge job in keeping the animals safe and trying your darndest to save some of the buildings in the fire’s path. I also figured that some of the staff from SDZ would be there to help you all out, and I know that you really appreciated them being there during the worst of it as well as the firefighters that came in to help. This has been a huge tragic incident when you see the devastation to over 2,000 homes and businesses in 7 counties, and the thousands of people that are now homeless after losing their homes to the fires. Hoping that the zoo and park staff didn’t lose their homes. The other big worry is the wild animals that live in those mountains, hills, valleys that had to really run for their lives to get out of the fires. I sure do hope that there were no deaths in the wild animal population, but I’m afraid there might be some. Hopefully, there will be a team of wildlife conservationists that will go out to these areas and get a count of those animals that survived and those that died. That will be a very interesting study to do in order to find out about these animals and how bad their habitats have been damaged. One piece of news about the Witch Creek/Poomacha fires is that these 2 fires are very close to merging and only about 10-20% contained at this point from what I heard on the news today, the Harris fire about 10% contained. So, there’s a lot of work to do to get these fires contained and put out by the firefighters. I also saw the weather today, and it looks like there’s a Pacific cold front coming your way and hopefully will have some rain with it. Wouldn’t that be the best help these firefighters can get?? You bet it will!! Cooler temps, too! I read about how the animals knew when to move to safer areas in their ranges to avoid the fires and as much of the smoke as possible. Animals are very smart about how to avoid fires and running away from them, and their survival instinct kicked in when it had to. They know how to preserve themselves! I did check the elephant cam earlier today to see if it was back online, and it wasn’t on, so I felt that you all weren’t totally ready to open up yet. Hope that Hwy. 78 will be able to reopen to traffic, and the Wild Animal Park can reopen to visitors tomorrow, Oct. 26. You are right about one thing, tho; the landscape around the park will be totally different! You did mention that around 600 acres were burned outside the park; was that about the same amount of land that was burned in the 1993 fire?
Well, gonna go and get on the pandacam, and check up on Bai Yun and baby girl. Haven’t had the chance to see them all day! You all did a great job in handling this emergency and crisis, and you all deserve some kind of medal for all of the hard work that you did to keep the animals safe and secure. Believe me, you all had an extremely close call on this one! Thankfully, no humans were hurt and only 2 animals died after all of this. That’s a great record, if you ask me! Please continue to stay safe, and keep up the great work that you are doing with all of your animals. Oh yeah, how did the 3 elephant babies do thru all of this? I was really concerned about them! Hope the elephant cam is back online tomorrow!
Love to all,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 25th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
My favorite place to go is the Wild Animal Park. I don’t know what life would be like without the opportunity to visit once a month. I know it wouldn’t have been saved if it wasn’t for the staff.
The human losses during these fires will be recovered, but the animal residence of the Park have very little places to go. It is so important for our children’s future, we preserve this little piece of Eden. To your staff, Thank you.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I’ve been reading your updated with bated breath, hitting ‘refresh’ so many times I gave myself carpal tunnel!
Thank you so much for releasing information in a timely manner, I know that the public and members have been worried about you.
My condolences regarding the sad loss of the Clapper Rail and the Kiang. And for the employees who have lost their homes.
The staff are true heroes for doing everything that they did! I’m so proud of your entire organization and proud that I support it.
I have been worried about the plant collection, especially the conifer forest and the magnificent North African Cypress; and your important browse program. I know that there are hungry animals all over the country counting on that. Can an update provide some information on the horticultural side of things?
Moderator’s note: We’ll try to update our readers about how our plant collections fared.
October 25th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I could hardly breath as I read about the scorching fire moving relentlessly about the hillsides. Ms Galindo, your words vividly described the danger that the Park and the staff faced the past few days. There must have been no rest for any of you as you struggled to fight this conflagration. Despite exhaustion, despair and fear, with hope and dedication, you all came together to protect this precious preserve.
The animals are fortunate to have such devoted staff caring for them. We all are fortunate to have these devoted staff caring for them. I hope that families and homes of these remarkable people are safe. Thank you!
October 25th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Thanks for all your great work and full commitment to the park and its animals! I’ve never visited your Zoo, but really want to visit soon, especially after this incident, to see how these animal lovers take care of the animals!
Carl from Hong Kong
October 25th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I am so happy that all is well with park and the animals, except for the two lost. I visited the park this past July and came away with such admiration and awe for your staff. To learn that they stayed to protect the animals when their own homes were in jeopardy says alot about them. I am also appalled that the media hasn’t picked up on this heartwarming story of bravery and selflessness. You are all heroes to me.
October 25th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
My heart breaks for the 8 employees that lost their homes. My prayers are with them and all of the other families in Souther California that have lost so much. Our small community has sent firefighters and trucks to assist but it seems so little. Is there anything we can do to assist these employees? The SD Wild Animal Park and SD Zoo has brought so much joy world wide. Thanks to all the dedicated staff!
October 25th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
It is the dedication of hundreds of employees that keep not only the Zoo the WAP a safe place for the animals that our there. They are cared and loved for, and rightly so, since so many people in world enjoy seeing them whether it be at the zoo or the WAP. Many people feel a bond with these locations and had this been destroyed it would have been like losing a family and home for some especially those that work there. I give a warm hug to those who dedicated their efforts to helping protect a true gem to the North County Corridor as well as to those that may have helped in put the pieces back to gether to reopen to people like myself to enjoy many more years to come.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:59 am
You guys are awesome. I’m from Manila and I visited the park with my family in 2001. We haven’t forgotten it since. Just wanted to say that your selflessness and heroic efforts are deeply appreciated half-way around the globe. Thanks for keeping the animals safe and here’s hoping your own families weathered this crisis. Take care and God bless!!!
October 26th, 2007 at 2:53 am
So pleased to hear that your animals and facilities are safe. In Australia, we know how devastating bushfires can be.It could have been so much worse.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Thank God you and the animals are safe. My boys were very worried that everything was lost… You are all HEROES. We here in Canada can only watch and pray. Keep up the great work you do in helping save our planet. Just know you are in prayers and our hearts.
Peter, Vancouver Canada
October 26th, 2007 at 8:06 am
We we just in San Diego Septeber 28-October 5th 2007, and when I heard about all this tragic fire business my heart broke. I was so devistated by the news of the fire heading to the wild animal park.
I personally am going through a personal health issue but, I been more devistated by the track of the fire to all the places we were just at a few weeks ago! My heart goes out to all of you who have been hit by this fire, and who have been keeping our animal friends safe from danger. Prayer go out to everyone!
Please give our animal friends a good ol rub down from us! We can’t wait to come back.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:23 am
I had visited the park many years ago and I really enjoyed the park!! I am soooooooooo glad that the park is ok. I was really concerned about the park and animals.I decided to go on line and check it out.What a story of survival.Our God is really amazing–He protects His creation.I was glad to hear that the park is opening up today..We are sorry about the losses of the clapper rail and kiang.Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who have suffered such unspeakable losses.
October 26th, 2007 at 9:34 am
We visited the Wild Animal Park a few years ago and, truly, the safari and feeding the giraffes were among the highlights of my wife Mary Ann’s entire life. Our applause goes out to the people whose determination and love (along with a little luck) saved almost all the animals. We are sorry about the clapper rail and kiang, and all the wild animals who died, but it could have been much, much worse. Best wishes!
October 26th, 2007 at 10:02 am
Thank you so much for your updates and extremely hard work throughout this disaster. I was so worried about the animals and the staff and it was such a relief to read that nearly all of the animals escaped unharmed. Bravo to your staff for their amazing hard work and dedication.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:24 am
WOOOOOT the WAP has been spared! I am sorry if my exhuberance seems offensive . Its not meant to be insensitive. My thoughts and prayers are truly with all those affected by the fire storms. The WAP is the most wonderful sanctuary that I have been able to share with my family and friends. It has brought sanity into my life while raising my son. I cannot tell you how many days I would drive 45 minutes to the WAP and walk in and feel like I had entered truly a bit of eden. The calming effect it brings me is priceless and I am so thankful for the extreme efforts by the staff, firedepartments and anyone who was able to help spare the wildlife . I have been living in Washington for 6 months, and as a Southern California native of 43 years I miss the WAP.. I will always treasure my visits and I do hope to make many more in the future. I feel I am in shock thinking about all the devastation in San Diego County. I cannot imagine what you feel when you sustain such a loss. I pray for strength too all those affected by this great tragedy.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:46 am
What can we do to help you and your staff?
October 26th, 2007 at 11:46 am
My daughter and I just did the adult Roar and Snore on Friday, October 19th. It was so wonderful and we had such a fabulous time. We were devastated to hear of the fires in and around the park, but, are happy that it came out mostly unscathed. The weather was wonderful during the time we were there. It is amazing how quickly things can change. Thank you to all the employees for taking such good care of the animals. Now, everyone can go back to the park and have the same wonderful experience that we had.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
One of my first concerns when i heard about all the fires was this beautiful park and all creatures great and small that reside there. I’ve been to both your zoo and this wild animal park and can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your dedicated work just on a day to day basis. Many, many kudos to your staff who so willingly stayed to help all your precious cargo during this latest crisis in San Diego. There’s a very special place for those people in the afterlife, I firmly believe. I live in the Omaha, NE, area and have privy to our beautiful Henry Doorly zoo here, and spend many hours there each summer admiring and appreciating how beautiful these creatures are. It always warms my heart to know there is such dedication out there to animals of all kinds, even in times when it may put the staffers who protect them at risk. You all deserve the highest reward, whatever that may be.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
I am so sorry for the loss of the two animals. Though there were only two, they were most important, wonderful lives that all will miss. But, I am so thankful for the lives that will continue because of all of the wonderful staff and firemen who risked their lives for our precious animals. I cry for the ones running wild that could not escape the fires. Please know that I think you are all wonderful.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Our family is so glad to hear that almost every person and animal were okay from the fire. Our news broadcast here in Illinois did not say that the fires were near your park, but based on maps they showed we felt that it must have been near to you. We were relieved to see that things are alright. We visited your wonderful park in January of 2007, enjoyed it so much. We think we were one of the last families to leave the park that day. Next time we are in San Diego we are planned to visit again. Once, again we a glad that everyone & the animals are alright.
October 26th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Hi! Saw your announcement about the Wild Animal Park reopening today! YEA!!! I’m very glad that you all were able to get things back in shape and cleaned up some so that people can come in and enjoy the animals. The only thing that is not available is the elephantcam! It’s still offline! When do you think that you will get it back online? Real quick, I hope! How did the baby elephants do during this whole crisis? Hope they weren’t too spooked by the whole thing! Just stay safe and healthy because the air is still pretty smokey out there with those onshore winds bringing all of that smoke back over land, plus there are still fires burning in some areas as well. Gotta go and do some things, but will check back to see if the elephantcam is back on. Great job, everyone!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
October 26th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Thank you Jesus for keeping the animals safe.
October 26th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
I could not be happier to hear that the Wild Animal Park remained virtually unharmed during this incredible disaster. My heart goes out to all of the animals that could not fend for themselves, and it is so inspiring and heartwarming to hear that the dedicated staff and firefighters (and luck!) were able to prevent any devestating losses to the Wild Animal Park. As a passionate animal lover and owner I can breathe a sigh of relief to hear that the Park will be just fine. Thanks for the great blog, it was a relief to hear everything is okay (for the most part). Lets hope these fires die down soon, and we get some much needed rain in the near future!
*Alix*
Ventura, CA
October 26th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I am so glad the animals are safe. I was worrying about them alot. Living in Pennsylavania there is not much I could do here was just watch & hope they are good. I am also glad things are getting better for everyone in your area. I want to thank your staff & firefighters for all you did for the animals during the fire. I want to thank you for all you do for the animals. I pray all is well for all your staff at The Wild Animal Park and the main Zoo in San Diego. You are the best.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Thank you so much for the detailed update. As a survivor of Katrina my heart goes out the most for innocent animals. I worry about them in any disaster and I am so glad that you have dedicated staff that considered the animals precious and in need of protection. Kudos to you all and please let us know how we can be of help in the rebuilding. I am still dislocated from the devistation in New Orleans and will never be able to go home again so I am free to come out there and help in any way needed.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Wow. Thanks for the update. And thank the Lord all but two are safe.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
My wife, 4 boys and I are so relieved to read that the Wild Animal Park’s animals emerged virtually unscathed from this disaster. Now in the Bay Area, San Diego is my hometown and the Zoo and Wild Animal Park are my favorite places on earth. Our hearts go out to all the people who lost their homes and possessions, but it is truly a miracle that the Society’s priceless collection is safe. Bravo!
October 26th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I tried at least three times to get ABC and/or NBC to tell me what the conditiions were at the zoo and got absolutely no response. It seems it is very easy to evacuate people from their homes in California’s San Diego County but impossible to do so for the animals and exhibits in the San Diego Zoo. So very glad to hear that most of the animals made it and that the fire was not as much of a threat to the Zoo as it was elsewhere. Can’t understand why none of the major networks could not even mention what the threat was to the San Diego Zoo or how the fires were being contained there.
October 26th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
After worrying all week about the WAP, I am relieved to know that the losses suffered were mostly material — you are so right — “things” can be replaced/rebuilt but lives — animal or human — cannot. Thanks to your team and San Diego Zoo staff for keeping our favorite San Diego County Park’s “residents” safe.
Carol and Annie in Boise, Idaho
October 26th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
My family and I visited the park in August and had a great time despite the brutal heat. My children were horrified that the park might be on fire, but I told them that fire was an eventuality, not a probability in the area, and that you had probably designed the park to resist it. I had to flee wildfires as a child, and I was nervous even in late August about the dry dry heat and vegetation in the area (hence my decision to stay in Carlsbad). I am not surprised but I am stunned to think of all that has happened in the areas we just vacationed in and traveled through.
I am also relieved that the park and most of the animals escaped disaster. All the same my heart goes out to all those of your staff who lost their own homes in the tragedy while saving the homes of these endangered creatures.
May the winds be kind.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Until I read this update, I had no idea the fire got that close…thanks to the firefighters and staff of the Park and Zoo! I can’t begin to comprehend the sheer effort everyone made to keep these animals safe. You are all heros! My husband is a firefighter, so I understand the danger, the joy of rescues, and the heartbreaking tragedy of casualties when there’s a big fire.
Our prayers go out to a peaceful, rainy, cool fall — for every creature, great and small.
Paula in TX
October 26th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I’ve never been to the San Diego zoo or park before but i’ve been watching the website since Bai Yun gave birth. I was very worried when i heard about the fire. I’m very glad that most of the animals were ok, but feel sorry for all the animals and people who died or homes were destroyed.
October 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
We were so relieved to hear that most of WAP and almost all of it’s animals survived the fire!! Our hearts go out to you for the loss of the two animals and to your dedicated staff that lost their homes!! Your park is such a treasure!! Thank you for all that you do! We were just there this last August and I remember how dry it was. Much drier than when we were there last year during our first trip to your park. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of your staff as this outcome could easily have been much worse. Your staff is awesome!! Please give our love and hugs to the gals down in lion camp, they’re great! We love watching all the elephants with their babies on the elephant cam, wish you had a lion camp cam! We look forward to visiting your park again, it’s one of the highlights of our trip to California! My 8 year old daughter is adament on becoming a zoo keeper when she grows up. Your staff have been great role models for her and they have always encouraged her and are always attentive to her questions. Thanks so much!! Take care and God Bless!!
The Johnson Family
Maple Park, IL
October 26th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
I am thrilled with the good news that the park is safe. I am sorry for the loss of two animals, but it is the natural way of life. It was very intersting to hear about the dholes and how your teams worked to keep the fires contained. I am from the Texas Panhandle, we too had horrible fires last year that burned thousands and thousands of acres of ranch land.
Our fires started from 5 years of terrible drought and lightening. And then, the jackrabbits would go into their holes and their furr would catch on fire. They would run through the grass and catch more acres on fire. It was very sad and absolutely horrible. I always thought they would be safe underground.
The raging fires are terribly desctructive, but the fresh new grass is always so beautiful, mother nature renewing earth. The most fit survive and reap the benefits of rejuvinated growth. I know the Park will continue with the rejuvination/rebirth of the land and all of God’s creatures will continue enjoying the gift of life.
We will continue to keep you, your staff and volunteers, and the animals in our thoughts and prayers.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I check in on baby panda several times a day and I’m so glad to hear things there are safe. My kids and I love the webcams. I have been to the SD zoo once, 10 years ago, and I will never forget it. I love San Diego for so many reasons.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Thank you so much for the update…I feel so sad to know that animals have died from this fire…I wish you and the rest of the team good luck with everything….Hope everything gets better and safe for you all!!!
October 27th, 2007 at 12:18 am
What a brilliant job the dedicated staff did at the park to keep the fire from the animals. A huge well done from my family and see you again in 2008!
October 27th, 2007 at 7:03 am
Praise God the animals were not harmed. It is a miracle!
I am happy that the zoo staff helped out a lot to keep the animals safe.
October 27th, 2007 at 7:29 am
When I looked out from my Escondido home toward the plume of smoke coming up over the hillside, I knew that the Wild Animal Park was in danger. As the day progressed I was almost certain that we had lost it to the fire. The only report from the media I heard that day that said anything about the WAP said that it was burning. I am so happy to finally hear that it was spared.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Thank you for providing an update on the park and the animals. We took a photo caravan tour in January 2007 and feel like we know some of the animals personally. We are glad to hear that most survived. I was impressed with the staff at that time and am even more impressed with ther herioics. I hope that they did not suffer personal losses as so many others in the region.
October 27th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Yadira,
Thank you to all of the Wild Animal Park staff and firefighters for taking such great care of all your wonderful animals. It sounds as if the Park had a much tougher time of it than was apparent if one just reads the major news sources, and that you all really did a heroic job, particularly when the cheetahs and dholes were threatened. Your foresight, disaster planning and sheer dedication (I suspect luck and/or divine intervention had very little to do with it) really paid off for the animals and all of us out here who love them. My family here in Austin, TX, got hooked on the Zoo initially because of Hua Mei, Bai Yun and Shi Shi (and we remain fascinated by the Giant Pandas), but have since become members and have flown out to visit the Park and Zoo six or seven times. We love the friendly, happy atmosphere, the great attitude of your staff, the wonderful conservation and education work you do, and, of course, your marvelous animals. We have been all over the world, but most love visiting you guys! So thank you all again for doing such a great job during the fire, and every other day.
October 27th, 2007 at 10:00 am
All I can say is that I am so proud and priviledged to work for this organization.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
As a long time society member, I am not at all surprised by the dedication and selfless efforts of the Park’s staff. I hope that the society is creating a video history of these events.
October 27th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
I saw one of your trucks in my neighborhood. In the interest of kindness to animals, I think you should use the El Toro Marine Base golf course to house them temporarily. It’s as large as the zoo grass land area, which used to be visible from the train, and, it’s fenced in. Try calling the Orange county Sherriff’s office for access, because they were the organization supplying security to the closed down base.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
We made a visit with our young daughter this summer. Each week week we choose one place to go. Out of all those weeks in the summer we all agreeed that the visit to the Wild Animal park was the best. It was a wonderful experience we have been planning to come back. WE are veryhappy to hear that we will be able to. Thank you to all of those who helped save the park.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Although saddened to learn of the loss of 2 animals and the homes of 9 staff members, I am SO happy to learn that the bulk of the park was not harmed. Kudos to the staff who make the WAP so much more than just a theme park — your dedication and hard work are truly impressive! I have just renewed my membership, and take pride in being able to support such an organization.
October 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Amazing. Thank you so much to all the wild animal park staff!!!!
October 27th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
We are soooo relieved that the fires haven’t caused you too much damage. Here in the UK we have been visiting your website to read news of how you are all coping. All your staff and the emergency services that have helped you deserve rewarding for all that they have done. We take great pleasure in visiting this site and being able to watch the webcams especially the Pandas. It is the next best thing to actually being able to visit in person. We shall miss Mei Sheng and wish him a safe journey to China.
Kindest regards
Sammi and family Coventry UK
October 27th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
It wasn’t until I read this update that I found what a truly difficult time the staff had fighting the fire - your whole staff are HEROES ALONG WITH THE STAFF OF THE SDZ. You have a special place there that cannot be replaced. Thanks for your dedication.
October 27th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Where are the clapper rails kept ?
How are the ducks ?
I’ve gotta come out & see -
How did the wild ass die ? -
they just found him dead ?
October 28th, 2007 at 12:30 am
Linda -
The use of the golf course at the closed El Toro Marine Corps Air Station wouldn’t be a good idea for several reasons…
1. It’s too far away from the Wild Animal Park to provide a stress-less trip for any potential WAP guests.
2. It’s at the edge of the Santiago Canyon, which is experiencing its own close encounter with the current fires.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:50 am
The only time I visited the WAP was in 2004, the year after the other terrible fires of 2003. I asked the keepers then what would happen to the animals if a fire happened and she was very nice. She showed me all the irrigation systems that were in place and what would happen but I knew the animals couldn’t outrun thoses fires. Whether you believe in Divine intervention, luck or some other spiritual being, I know those animals would not have been saved without the intensive preparation of the staff members as well as the extreme dedication of people protecting the animals even while their own homes were burning. Thank you so much for your caring and hard work. May God or whomever you believe in lessen your personal burden as you too clean up from this disaster. Thank you also for keeping web updates because as it’s been said on many comments, it was impossible to hear how the zoo or WAP was doing.
October 28th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Thank you so much for the detailed updates. My family and I were previous residents of the SD area and members of the WIld Animal Park. It is our favorite place to visit in the US. We were praying for you and your animals. It is such a wonderful place to visit. I am so glad not all was lost.
October 28th, 2007 at 8:09 am
My daughter Jill gave me the Roar and Snore as a birthday present knowing I would appreciate it from having been on a safari in East Africa a couple of years ago. We were at the Animal Park the weekend of the fire. I just kept on thanking her for the wonderful experience that we were having and how great the weather was Saturday evening. Sunday morning the winds really picked up so we were not able to do the balloon ride but got to do the tram ride and see in the daylight the animals. When we left at noon and got back to her home in Poway we heard about the fire not thinking it would come sooooooooooooo close! I drove the rode by Lake Hodges and Rancho Santa Fe to go the back way to my elderly Aunts home in Encinitas to spend the night before going home to West Covina. I thought as I was driving what a beautiful area this was and the next day saw it was under fire. We were all evacuated Monday morning and our thoughts were also about the beautiful animals we had encountered and their safety! So glad the outcome for the park with its outstanding staff was a good one. Only 2 animals lost is unbelievable.
Everyone should experience this unique outing of the Roar and Snore
October 28th, 2007 at 8:52 am
To Barbara Letsom–I truly hope that you don’t mean to sound so uncaring and challenging in your comments. As tragic and sad it is to lose those two precious lives please do not forget the miracle that was made possible by the hard work, dedication and heroism of the WAP and Zoo staff and the 3498 that were saved! I am sure that everyone mourns and is deeply saddened by this loss and I hope you would have the compassion to understand this. I and my family have been dedicated members and supporters of the park since the day it opened and when I come out there next week it will be to say THANK YOU to all who worked so hard. Don’t forget that nine staff members lost their homes while defending the WAP. They need our prayers and blessings for their futures and for what they have done. That said–I want to say Thank You from me, my family and friends to everyone who fought these fires and we send our prayers to all who have lost so much. Blessed Be All Of Thee With Love, Judy J
October 28th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
The WAP is truly a piece of Eden, It is our Thanksgiving every year-what better way to celebrate the day? It is the source of inspiration for our daughter’s choice to work with wild and exotic animals, and her dream to be a keeper. The people are also a source of inspiration to us all-knowing they’d lost everything but giving to beings who could not help themselves. God has a special place for you even if it is not clear to you at this time of despair. There are so many of us who wish to help you. Please post what we can offer, send, do. We will be there at Thanksgiving as always, loving the place and moment in time of peace with God’s beings. Thank you to the staff for everything you have done-from the bottom of our hearts.
October 28th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Although my family and I have visited the States many times and have family there, we have never visited the San Diego area. My visits have over many years been through the newsletters and website which has given me a lot of pleasure. We watched in horror as the fires spread and though the California people have gone through such terrors, I was really worried for the zoo, its animals and staff which were not mentioned on our news broadcasts. I am so pleased to get the news letter with the good news. Your staff are really dedicated. The zoo and animals are lucky to have such a cohesive family. May your good luck continue.
October 28th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Praise be all creatures great and small….Yadira and staff at the Zoolocial Society, Wild Animal Park and San Diego Zoo! Most assuredly by the grace of some higher spirit, accompanied by the indomitable staff and all those blessed souls dedicated to surpressing mother nature’s challening firestorms….the majority of the WAP was spared! We are truly grateful for your positive updates and to be able to read the world wide responses is most heartwarming. I often bring children and folks to visit and admire the animals and your dedication to education and conservation at this unique park. What a super idea….to visit the park around Thanksgiving time!
October 28th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Here in Las Vegas I just heard on one of our local TV news stations that a hippo got loose from the San Diego Wildlife Park during the fires and was found in the pool of one of the coaches of the San Diego Chargers. I’m not sure what to think about this except that if this is true this is one intelligent animal!
Moderator’s note: That makes a fun story, but hippos have never lived at the Wild Animal Park.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
I kept listening for news about the animals and the park and I heard nothing about it up here in Anaheim Hills. I am so glad that you posted the information on your website and that all is well at the park. You guys are the best. Thank you everyone for all of your forethought and extra efforts. A WAP member.
October 28th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
My mother and I visited SDWP January, 2007 and we both were very happy and relieved to hear that the overwhelming majority of the animals survived the fires. I am not at all surprised that so many of your employees volunteered to help save the animals and fight the fire. Your staff, from what we saw, love those animals and believe strongly in the important mission of SDWP. You are among the last hopes of survival for some of those creatures and it is heart warming to hear of your tremendous victory!
October 28th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
We were just in San Diego 2 weeks ago for a family vacation and we visited the SD Zoo and SD Wild Animal Park as well as SeaWorld. We took our travel trailer and camped in Ramona. We have been keeping an eye on the news since the fires started and could not believe that we were just there and could have been in the middle of it. Our prayers are with everyone as rebuilding begins and we are very glad the animals are safe. Our 3 year old was very concerned for the animals. Thank you for all you do!
October 29th, 2007 at 12:11 am
As members my kids and I visit the park every other month and are not surprised at all to hear about the amazing efforts of your staff in their steadfast efforts to save what they could. We’re not surprised because we see the same teamwork and excellent customer service every time we visit the WAP or Zoo. You guys are awesome! I’m so sorry for the losses that your employees have endured. It was nice to read that you as a company are taking such good care of your employees who took such good care of you in your time of need. Thank you!
October 29th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Your team of amazing people as always have done a wonderful job of protecting the animals within your park. I am sorry to hear of your two losses. We visit your beautiful park whenever we visit San Diego because of the beauty of the area. From reading your blog I was unclear as to what provisions you have for immediate use to fight fires within the park other then the water truck you mentioned. Perhaps, your own fire truck. Do you have enough water hydrants? I am from Denver and our zoo is located in the middle to the city; in the middle of a large city park with immediate water access. I am not surprised at the attention of your staff to the care of the animals and the actual park grounds over their personal lives. Thats what makes you all so special!
October 29th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
this is a truly inspiring story. it is amazing how people can come together in the face of adversity. i am so happy to hear that the vast majority of the animals are safe and happy. the fire has been a tragedy in so many ways but this is surely a success under the extreme circumstances. good work. thank you for your bravery.
October 29th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
I am so glad that the park sustained only minimal damage and the loss of 2 animals is heartbreaking.
Please thank everyone for me and my family for all the hard work and dedication it took to save the park and all the other animals. Keep up the good work you do on a daily basis preserving the animals of the world.
October 30th, 2007 at 5:15 am
I want to personally Thank all the staff at the Park for all the dedication and love they have for all the beautiful animals they have out there. God was truely watching over all of you. I have to let you know that the WAP has been such a theraputic place for me. A place of comfort and joy. It has been my mainstay when so many other things in my life have gone wrong. I am so glad that the Park still stands and all the animals are well. Thank You again for putting your lives on the line to save others. That is the greatest gift someone can give to another living being. I look forward to visiting the Park very soon and spending my Thanksgiving out there.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:57 am
I live in England,but visited the zoo and park a couple of years ago and it was very impresed(I loved it). When I heard about the fires I was really concerned.But was glad and relieved to hear that both are pretty much ok.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
My husband and I are members. I am extremely thankful that we didn’t lose any animals due to smoke inhilation. I live about an hour and a half north of you at the base of the San Bernardino mountains. God was gracious to us as well. No lives lost. We had bears running across the freeway on Hwy 330, but they were able to get across safely. It is not just the flames that kill. I have been sick for a few days now from smoke inhilation. Same as my husband. He is asthmatic. It was worse for him than me. I just feel that the dangers of fire need to be addressed in our youth. Smokey the Bear does a fine job, but I think the people need to know that breathing in the smoke 20 miles away from the flame can be just as hazardous. If you have programs that address children please make a concious effort to explain that people and animals can get hurt even if they are not near the flames. Maybe we will have a few less arsonists in the future if we teach them while they are young.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I’m so glad the Wild Animal Park came through the fire okay. I’m curious to know how, with so many animals, they’re all accounted for when disasters like these happen. Does the WAP have emergency mitigation plans in place? In the event of a wildfire, who does the WAP call for fire protection? How do you account for all your animals? Can you move all your animals, if so, where to?
The staff did a heroic job trying to save the animals from the fire storm. When did firefighters arrive? How did they save the majority of the park from being touched by flames? Fires and earthquakes are two things Southern California has to deal with on a yearly basis, what is the WAP’s emergency operating procedure?
October 31st, 2007 at 1:17 am
I am so proud of my coworkers and the dedication they showed during this chaotic, stressful, and dangerous situation. You are exemplary, my friends - remember that…I’ll never forget it.
October 31st, 2007 at 7:34 am
Was the Kiang that died as a result of stress from the fire the recently born Somali wild ass? I noted in the Oct 1blog on the newest baby elephant, that the SDZ and WAP were having a “birth boom,” including a “Somali wild ass.”
Moderator’s note: No, they are the same genus but different species. On a happy note, a kiang was born at the Wild Animal Park on October 29!
October 31st, 2007 at 7:36 am
Mick Rost from Hampstead, MD
Thank you for the insightful updates…….. The information provided was invaluable. Being back on the east coast, it was hard to get any concrete news on conditions at the Wild Animal Park. My wife and I visited (second time) in July and were again impressed with the overall facility (although we do really miss the train!). No other animal exhibits can compare with the WAP and San Diego Zoo. Any that I have visited since my first visit there just paled in comparison. My son and his wife left San Diego Monday night and came here for some breathable air. Both are members of the park and I can’t begin to count the number of times that I heard them express concern for the animals and the park as we checked the updated fire maps.
The staff is to be commended for their steadfastness in protecting the animals and their shelters. Hopefully, exposing themselves to the smoke and ashes on a continuing basis will not have any lasting effects on their health. Losing a single animal is a tragedy but to think of how many were saved is truly amazing. For the 14 employees that lost their homes, my condolences and hopes that your experiences with the insurance companies will be painless.
Hats off to the entire staff for preserving the park!! Future visitors are in your debt.
October 31st, 2007 at 8:12 am
101, liondrums, great advice. I hope you and your husband, and the animals and staff from WAP and SDZ that inhaled the smoke from the fires recover quickly. Unfortunately, unless you get a substantial amount of rain for several days, the lingering smell will be there for months. And, if rain falls, the denuded forest hills will be a target for flooding. That is not a good prospect either.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:54 am
How sad that I read today that a child playing with matches started one of the fires. we really need to educate our children to the concequences of what they do. On a lighter note I hope that everyone is starting to feel a bit better from the smoke
October 31st, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Moderator, 104, Congratulations on the baby Kiang born Oct 29!
When you get a chance, please post that great news to help uplift everyone’s spirits after this horrible tragedy of the fires. It shows that there are some silver linings behind clouds. Hopefully the little baby and its mother were not too stressed by the fire and the smoke aftermath and it will be able to thrive. Was the Kiang that died, young or old? The fact that it died because of stress from the fire could indicate either extreme of the age spectrum, or an animal that was exceptionally sensitive or had some health issues.
Maybe you can call the new baby Hope, or Joy, or something that commemorates the exceptional heroism and valor in all the staff who worked so hard to save the animals and the park.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:36 am
How Wonderful–A new baby Kiang! Congratulations! The birth of this precious being truly underlines the reasons for the WAP and reinforces the meaning of ‘The Circle of Life’. May this baby thrive under your watchful care and dedication. WGASA? More people than you can imagine care about and are grateful to you all for all you have done and will do to preserve and protect all creatures great and small under your care.
Blessed Be With Love, Judy J
November 1st, 2007 at 3:21 pm
Praise Allah that the fires didn’t destroy HIS beautiful animals!
November 1st, 2007 at 3:33 pm
My family and I were very worried , we were calling and searching at the Internet if we can help the animals, and we never stop praying and asked God to help them, now we are very happy that the Park is ok and the animals are now in safe.
God Bless your staff for doing it this incredible worked.
November 1st, 2007 at 7:01 pm
I am so happy to hear that everyone (almost) is safe & there was minimal damage. I always worry about the park when we’ve had wildfires (there has been a few in your history). My son, husband, myself & our exchange student from Holland had just been to the park visiting on 10/20/07. We had to see the new baby elephant & the condors. Our exchanged student was very impressed by the park & was worried also since we had just visited. I’ll have him visit the website. We visit the park & zoo often, we’ve been members for many years. I can’t tell you how many photos we have taken over those years.!! Thank You to all the staff memebers’ continued hard work & dedication.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:06 am
What can we, as member’s of the Zoo & Wild Animal Park, do to help you recover any losses from the fire and insure future safety of our animals at the park? Over the years I have come to respect the extremely valuable conservation research you do and plan my vacations from Virginia around park events. Thank you all for your efforts during this crisis!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:19 am
Thank you for your updates on the fires at the park. Though we live only 1-1/2 miles from the park, we did not know the fate of the park. We were evacuated from our home as the flames came up over the hill from the park towards our home, so we knew the park was in grave danger. After several days of evacuation, we returned to our home only to find we still had no news of the fate of the park despite being so close and with Hwy 78 still closed, we were unable to even drive over and take a look to see if the park was ok. I am very thankful that the park survived and very sorry for the loss of your employees’ homes. Thank you all for your dedication to “our” animals and your tireless efforts to ensure their survival!
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:31 am
Wow, what a heartwarming account of those terrible events. I hope that all of us who love the park can find it in our hearts to donate, even the smallest amount, to the ongoing efforts to protect this wonderful preserve from future threats from wildfires.
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:04 pm
We are so glad to hear everyone is safe. We moved to MN Years ago & everytime we visit family in Ramona we come see you guys. We were very worried about all the animals, my career field is Vet Science, So very passionate about the concervation of the animals.
Praying for fast recovery and some rain! All our love for getting back to normal.
November 3rd, 2007 at 7:27 am
Thank goodness all of those animals were saved. I am proud to be a memeber of an organization that cares so much about all the animals they care for. Thank you all for your extra efforts during this disaster.
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:11 pm
It is sad to hear of any loss of life but it was a welcome relief to hear that this was not more tragic. I think we have all experienced a tremendous sense of loss simply by witnessing the terrible devestation caused by the recent fires. Your article is inspiring and comforting. I am overwhelmed and truly grateful for the commitment and dedication of the staff at the WAP, the SD Zoo and the firefighters for their incredible work.
November 4th, 2007 at 12:57 am
Great, work, superb planning and maestro -like execution was what you have described. Kudos to you and your staff. I had the good fortune to work as a VAO during a Festival of Lights a couple years back. I can attest to the dedication and love of all creatures by my colleagues and coworkers during those couple months. I am not surprised (relieved-YES) that it went as well as it did.
God Bless each and every one of you. God bless the fearlessness and dedication of our firefighters.
I live three miles away. It was so scary and stressful for me that I can sympathize with those creatures that felt the stress was just too much.
Keep on keepin’ on! Thank you for your frank and honest assesment of the events that took place.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
I am so relieved to finally find out that the animals survived. I was sick about it and feared what all those beautiful creatures might have gone through! You have an incredible team. Congratulations to all of you. I hope that your families that lost their homes will get the support they need to rebuild. We will be back for the Holidays to celebrate.