How the Tampa zoo is protecting 1,000 animals from Hurricane Milton

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Workers are racing to protect more than 1,000 animals that live in Tampa’s zoo as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida’s western coast. Hurricane Milton is expected to bring conditions not seen in the Florida city for a century Images taken at the zoo on Monday show a mother and baby orangutan huddling together, employees moving items to protected areas and two workers lifting an African porcupine named “chompers” in a crate. “But, we are keeping an eye on the animals’ behavior and sure that they’re handling it OK.” The number of animals being moved totals around 1,000, and the zoo was still working early Tuesday afternoon. “We’re also at the ready, not only to make sure our animals are safe, but then also our manatee rescue team is ready once the storm passes to help any of those wild manatees that may find themselves in the wrong spot because of this storm surge,” Torres said.