Welfare of Animals in Zoos During Extreme Weather Events

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that pose acute welfare risks to zoo animals worldwide.

Key Facts

Extreme heat events in European zoos during 2022 and 2023 caused deaths of cold-adapted species
Zoo enclosures are often designed for average conditions — not increasingly common extremes
Flood events have caused drowning of enclosure animals and escapes that endanger both animals and public
Polar and arctic species (polar bears, arctic foxes, snow leopards) face acute heat stress as temperatures rise
Wildfire smoke events cause respiratory distress in animals unable to shelter indoors
Emergency protocols at many zoos remain underdeveloped for extreme weather scenarios
Climate adaptation for zoos involves massive infrastructure investment that smaller facilities cannot afford

Welfare Considerations

Zoos face an emerging welfare challenge as their fixed infrastructure meets increasingly volatile weather. Animals confined in enclosures cannot select microclimates as wild animals would. Arctic species in temperate-zone zoos are especially vulnerable to heat waves. Flood plains and riverside zoo locations face inundation risks. Emergency protocols — including potential euthanasia of animals that cannot be safely contained during floods or fires — are decisions zoo staff are confronting more frequently. Climate adaptation planning is now a welfare priority for responsible zoo management.

What You Can Do

Support accredited zoos that are investing in climate adaptation infrastructure
Ask zoos about their emergency weather protocols when visiting
Advocate for climate adaptation funding to be available to zoological facilities
Support conservation programs that maintain wild populations as insurance against captive losses
Encourage your zoo to phase out climate-vulnerable species for which adequate conditions cannot be provided