Furry? Feathery? All kinds of evacuees from Orange County Zoo find shelter from fire in Santa Ana

Chased off by the wildfire Monday, Oct. 26, 130 Orange County Zoo residents joined their compadres eight miles north for a sleepover.

“There was a slumber party, but our animals weren’t invited,” said Ethan Fisher, manager of the Santa Ana Zoo.

In fact, the two groups barely laid eyes on each other – with the exception of donkeys close enough to check out the pair of visiting camels.

To avoid undue stress and cross-contamination, guests bunked in spaces normally used for medical treatments and quarantining at the 20-acre zoo.

On Wednesday, with the Silverado Fire at bay, an assortment of coyotes, foxes, mountain lions and goats began making their way home to Irvine Regional Park in Orange.

Evacuating a passel of zoo animals is no simple task. However, practice makes somewhat perfect. Zoos everywhere hone contingency plans for the swift transport of animals in the event of disasters.

As it often does in tense situations, food helps ease nerves. “In drills, we give the animals positive reinforcement so they they learn to feel comfortable going into the crates,” Fisher said.

Even so, animals that can be dangerous to humans require more attention. “We did have to sedate our black bears,” said Orange County Zoo manager Donald Zeigler.

His staff had 2 1/2 hours to clear out animals Monday afternoon as the Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda erupted, sandwiching Irvine Regional Park between two conflagrations.

That was one hour more than three years ago – the only other time OC Zoo had to evacuate – when Canyon Fire 2 burned into the surrounding 475-acre park.

Orange County Zoo focuses on species native to the Southwest – including eagles, hawks, bobcats and raccoons. Many are animals that were rescued and rehabilitated.

“They could sense the commotion Monday; wind activity, people moving around, smoke, helicopters,” Zeigler said. “They’re very smart.”

Orange County Animal Care and two dozen zoo employees rounded up the animals, carefully marking a checklist to make sure none were left behind.

Then, after the commute, Santa Ana Zoo staff pitched in to unload animals and move them to their temporary abodes.

“We are so grateful to Santa Ana for opening their doors to us,” Zeigler said. “Not every zoo is lucky enough to have another zoo so close by to help out.”

Santa Ana Zoo houses animals from all over the world, including monkeys, tropical birds, a giant anteater, African porcupines and the two friendly camels, Humphrey and Kashi.

Fisher admitted to “a little animal envy” when he took a peek at the lodgers. “Buckley the beaver is pretty adorable,” he said.

While Zeigler was herding zoo animals, his wife was packing up the household pets to evacuate their Lake Forest home.

“Three dogs, three snakes and a bearded dragon,” he said. “We have our own zoo.”