Hurricane Season

No one likes to hear it, but Hurricane Season arrives every year—running from June 1st through November 30th. While most of us are familiar with the importance of being prepared, it's easy to overlook how hurricanes affect wildlife.

At Oatland, our animals are well cared for when storms approach. Hurricanes bring heavy rain, high winds, and flooding, but our team is ready. Fortunately, these storms offer some warning, giving our keepers valuable time to prepare.

Before a storm, animals like the tortoises and many birds are moved to secure, behind-the-scenes enclosures built to withstand severe weather. Staff members check and reinforce doors and latches, ensure batteries and generators are charged, and stockpile food and supplies. Then, we hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.

If an evacuation ever becomes necessary, we’re prepared for that too. While we haven’t had to evacuate yet, plans are in place to relocate all animals—from tortoises to cougars—to a safe, inland location. The cougars even have specially designed transport crates, ready just in case.

We hope that day never comes, but no matter the situation, the wildlife at Oatland Island is in good hands. Our dedicated keepers, the Chatham County School System, and the Friends of Oatland Island all work together to ensure their safety.

New Cougar Crates Arrive in time for Hurricane Season 2024!

But what happens to other Wildlife when Hurricanes hit?!

Wild animals have many ways to survive a storm! While they don't get advanced warning like we do, many animals can still tell when a storm is brewing!

MAMMALS:

Threats: Flooding and strong winds can knock mammals out of their safe places, and can risk drowning or becoming stuck in burrows. Loss of food sources can endanger wildlife after a storm.

Adaptations: Many mammals fare pretty well during a hurricane. Deer will seek shelter in dense brush on high ground. Armadillos and other digging animals will seek shelter by digging burrows at higher ground. Some smaller mammals, like squirrels, may seek shelter in hollowed-out trees or even under human structures, such as barns and houses. So make sure you keep your eyes out for wildlife after a storm!

BIRDS:

Threats: Birds can face food shortages, nest and habitat disruptions, and pollutants that enter their habitats due to flooding or storm surge.

Adaptations: Birds like seabirds and shorebirds can tell when bad weather is coming. Some of them will hunker down in place, finding safe spots in trees and thickets to lay low until the storm passes. Some may try to outfly the storm to less destructive areas. Other birds with strong flight may even use the winds of the storm to travel quickly away. Many birds like Eagles, have excellent grip strength and can hold on to branches in strong winds without a problem!

REPTILES: Threats: Displacement due to flooding, loss of heat sources due to heavy rains, loss of habitat and food sources with damaging winds and other wildlife leaving for higher ground.

Adaptations: Many reptiles like snakes may seek dry warm places (like under human structures) so make sure you use caution when moving things after storms! Other reptiles like frogs and lizards may find small spaces to squeeze into away from the rain and the wind, like trees and thick brush. Some reptiles have developed specialized grips on their feet to help them hold tight to branches during a storm! Alligators may seek shelter in muddy burrows or may just ride out the storm in the water. Even reptiles know when storms are coming and may move to higher ground.

Paying attention to wildlife has helped keep people informed for generations!

HUMAN SAFETY:

Keeping our humans safe is the top priority! Make sure you’re ready too—check your hurricane preparedness here: https://gema.georgia.gov/ready-kit-checklist. Stay safe this hurricane season!