The Santa Ana Zoo steps up to help animals evacuated from the O.C. Zoo

The Santa Ana Zoo is providing shelter for about 150 animals from Orange County Zoo in Irvine Regional Park that were evacuated on Oct. 26 because of the Silverado and Blue Ridge wildfires. Animals were evacuated and transported by 25 County staff and assisted by 12 City staff upon arrival at Santa Ana Zoo.

The evacuated animals range in size from bears and mountain lions to Madagascar hissing cockroaches and a desert hairy scorpion. The Santa Ana Zoo is using off-exhibit holding and indoor spaces to provide the animals with safe and comfortable temporary homes until it is safe for them to return to Orange County Zoo.

As in 2017 when the OC Zoo evacuated during the 2017 Santiago fire, the Santa Ana Zoo is proud to be part of a supportive community and to provide aid to its zoo neighbors.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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