ZooWorld staff shelter 30 flamingos in restroom as Hurricane Isaias hits Florida
As Hurricane Isaias struck the Florida Gulf Coast, staff at ZooWorld in Panama City Beach sheltered 30 flamingos in a bathroom. A video of the birds bumbling between sinks and stalls went viral, garnering nearly 2 million views. While the zoo’s other animals were secured in trash cans or rabbit exhibits, the flamingos’ unusual refuge highlighted the improvised nature of hurricane preparations for wildlife facilities. The storm had already caused widespread power outages and fatalities across the region.
Key points
- ZooWorld in Panama City Beach, Florida, housed 30 flamingos in a bathroom to protect them from Hurricane Isaias.
- A video of the flamingos sheltering in the restroom, showing them honking and shedding feathers, was viewed nearly 2 million times.
- The zoo’s other animals, including big snakes and male billy goats, were secured in trash cans and the rabbit exhibit, respectively.
- Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 storm, causing at least four deaths and leaving over 430,000 people without power.
- The video was credited to Senior Zookeeper Kylie Appleton and shared via Storyful.
Background
Hurricane Isaias, the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season, made landfall in the Florida Panhandle on October 9. The storm caused significant damage, including downed trees and flooding, and has since weakened into a post-tropical cyclone. Federal emergency declarations have been issued for Florida, Alabama, and Georgia, with cleanup efforts ongoing across the Gulf Coast.
How outlets are covering it
The New York Times, Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore, and WKRC all reported on the viral video of the flamingos sheltering in the ZooWorld bathroom. The New York Times provided the most detailed account, including the specific number of flamingos (30), the name of the senior zookeeper (Kylie Appleton), and the view count of the video (nearly 2 million). Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore and WKRC confirmed the core story but offered less specific details, with WKRC’s metadata quoting a social media comment: 'Just a flock of flamingo in a restroom. Seems like a normal October evening.' All three outlets presented the story as a lighthearted but notable example of hurricane preparedness for zoo animals, without any disagreement on the facts.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the challenges faced by wildlife facilities during major storms, where standard shelters may be insufficient, requiring creative and improvised solutions to protect animals. It also highlights the role of social media in amplifying local events into national stories, drawing attention to the broader impact of Hurricane Isaias on the Florida Gulf Coast.
What to watch
ZooWorld staff will assess the condition of the flamingos and other animals after the storm. Cleanup efforts across the Florida Panhandle and Alabama will continue as power outages persist and the storm’s remnants threaten further flooding and tornadoes in the southeastern U.S.
- Mr. Sparklepants and 29 Flamingo Friends Rode Out Isaias in the Bathroom The New York Times
- WATCH: Flamingos stay safe and dry huddled together in Florida zoo bathroom WFLA
- WATCH: Flamingos Huddle in Zoo Restroom to Wait Out Hurricane Isaias https://www.nxsmediawire.com/
- Zookeepers Sheltered Flamingos in Restroom During Hurricane Isaias Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore
- Flamingos take shelter in zoo restroom as Hurricane Isaias moves through Florida WKRC
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