How do you move an alligator in the event of a hurricane? If you had to guess, very carefully, but actually, Oscar, the Island’s resident American alligator is perfectly safe in his brand new enclosure at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) and will be able to weather any storm that comes his way.

Oscar is not the only animal that can take comfort as the BAMZ takes every effort to ensure the safety of all its animal residents whenever inclement weather heads our way.

“The first thing we do is decide which animals are at high risk,” explains head zookeeper Zo|0xeb| Roberts.

She elaborates that risk is determined by those animals which are most vulnerable to high winds, may be difficult to catch or cause environmental damage should they escape, as well as their nearness to Harrington Sound, such as the low-lying enclosures on the water side of the zoo.

“Those most susceptible include the ring-tailed lemurs, the golden lion tamarins, the water monitor, the tree kangaroo and the wallabies.”

To protect these animals, they are either secured in their personal holding pens, or put into small cages and brought indoors.

“The collection we have is small enough that we can pick them up,” says Ms Roberts.

The rest of the animals, however, are usually left in their enclosures to ride out the storm.

According to Roger Hollis, the BAMZ plant manager: “The animals have a natural ability to hide. Also, many of the animals, like the flamingos, are used to weathering the storms.”

“Some of that is because we have very good shrubbery,” adds zoo curator and veterinarian, Dr. Ian Walker.

Endemic plants, which are known to handle mid-Atlantic storms well, are used wherever possible.

The exhibits have also been created using a specially-designed wire that can withstand hurricane-force winds, which increases BAMZ’s security.

“We did not have a single breach during Hurricane Fabian,” says Ms Roberts.

Nor have any of the animals been harmed during a storm, although Crooked Nose, the zoo’s 400-pound Galapagos tortoise, was blown over onto his side during the storm.

Fortunately, Crooked Nose was attended to fairly quickly as the animals are never left alone during a storm. Two zookeepers always stay behind to monitor the situation and care for the animals.

“We also make sure that we have enough food and get extra animal feed if possible,” explains Ms Roberts. “Most of the food can be substituted with what is available locally.”

Preparation is key.

“You don’t know what will happen. We’re always ready for an emergency,” says Mr. Hollis.

“You never know when something is going to happen. We have everything in place all of the time.”

Regular maintenance checks are performed to help prevent potential problems. The property has a 60-kilowatt diesel generator that can handle all of the pumps and cold storage facilities for the aquarium and is equipped with a 400-gallon diesel storage tank that can provide power for up to a week-and-a-half.

The generator is tested weekly, and load capabilities are checked monthly. There are also secondary backup capabilities in the form of several smaller generators. When power does fail, the generator will automatically turn on.

Trees and bushes are also cared for by professional landscape staff to prevent damage -scape staff to prevent damage that can ensue from falling branches.

When a storm does threaten, one of the first things the staff do is clear anything that could cause damage to the animals or the enclosures. Reservoirs are all filled to maintain the fish tanks and the water is slowed down to conservation levels.

Tents are brought down and some areas are boarded up, usually at the last minute, so as to limit stress on the animals as much as possible, as well as to remain open for the public’s convenience.

“We try to open up as soon as we can after a storm, too,” Mr. Hollis says.

The task of preparing for a storm is truly a team effort.

“Our staff are very dedicated and passionate about what they do,” adds Dr. Walker. “We do everything we can to prevent injury to the animals and damage to the facilities.”

Following the severe damage to zoos along the Gulf of Mexico after the 2005 hurricane season, the Bermuda Zoological Society donated $5,000 to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s relief efforts.