Update - August 12, 4:55 P.M.:
Animal Ark says they are in the process of moving many of the animals that had to be evacuated due to area wildfires back home.
They revealed they were returning the animals in a post on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon.
Animal Ark credited local firefighters with keeping their facility, staff, and animals safe.
"We are tremendously grateful for the firefighters who have been working tirelessly to protect our community and the areas surrounding Animal Ark," they said in their post.
In addition to NDOW helping in the evacuations, teams from Monterey Zoo and Project Survival Cat Haven arrived yesterday with specialty resources and assisted with assessments and animal movement.
Their deployment was coordinated by Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue, and Recovery, which Animal Ark is a member of.
The road leading to Animal Ark is still blocked to all except emergency personnel.
Animal Ark says the situation remains fluid.
Update - August 12, 10:44 A.M.:
The Nevada Department of Wildlife helped Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary evacuate several animals Tuesday as the Bug and Fred Mountain fires threatened areas north of Reno.
According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife in an online post, NDOW staff worked with Animal Ark to move one jaguar, three mountain lions, two bears, two wolves and one coyote out of harm's way.
Because of the size and nature of the animals, they were temporarily immobilized so crews could safely handle and transport them. NDOW veterinarian Nate LaHue led the response with a team of eight other NDOW staff members, including wildlife biologists who worked alongside Animal Ark staff during the evacuation.
The latest update provides new details about the ongoing wildfire response at Animal Ark, which had begun evacuating animals as the fires threatened the sanctuary.
Animal Ark previously said it was carrying out a phased evacuation in partnership with local authorities, wildlife officials and people from other sanctuaries. The facility said additional plans were in place to move the remaining animals if conditions required it.
Staff members had been working around the clock to care for the animals, with wildlife officials, firefighters and zoological professionals from other zoos and sanctuaries assisting or standing by to provide additional support.
Animal Ark also said the facility could only accommodate trained personnel on its grounds during the response and encouraged people who wanted to help to consider making a contribution.
The sanctuary credited local fire crews with helping keep the facility safe and said its top priorities remained the safety of the community and the care and safety of the animals.
(Animal Ark and the Nevada Department of Wildlife contributed to this story.)
Update - August 11, 3:25 P.M.:
Animal Ark and its animals are safe as the facility carries out a phased evacuation in response to the fire situation.
According to Animal Ark, the evacuation is being conducted in partnership with local authorities, wildlife officials and people from other sanctuaries.
Animal Ark said it has additional plans in place to move the remaining animals if conditions require it.
Staff members are working around the clock to care for the animals. Wildlife officials, firefighters and zoological professionals from other zoos and sanctuaries are also assisting and standing by to provide additional support if needed.
The Ark credited local fire crews with helping keep the facility safe and thanked firefighters and emergency personnel working to protect the community.
Animal Ark also thanked community members for their support. The facility said it can only accommodate trained personnel on the grounds at this time and encouraged people who want to help to consider making a contribution.
The facility said its top priorities are the safety of the community and the care and safety of the animals in its care.
Update - August 11, 12:45 P.M.:
Animal Ark is safe after the fire came close to the facility overnight, with firefighters patrolling the grounds and fire trucks stationed on-site.
According to Animal Ark in an online post, the fire burned near the park's perimeter, but the facility itself was unharmed. The animals are safe, and staff members are continuing to monitor conditions closely.
Animal Ark said staff are on the grounds and will have a better understanding of what Tuesday will look like as conditions and access become clearer.
The public is being asked to avoid the access roads and the Ark to keep those roads clear for emergency responders.
The update comes as the Fred Mountain Fire continues to threaten the area around Animal Ark. The facility was closed temporarily because of the wildfire and will remain closed until the fires in the area are contained and conditions are safe for visitors, staff and animals.
Staff were on site throughout Monday caring for the animals and monitoring the situation. Animal Ark also has an emergency plan in place if another evacuation becomes necessary.
The facility thanked firefighters and emergency personnel who worked through the night to protect the community and Animal Ark, as well as people who have checked in and sent messages of support.
(Animal Ark contributed to this story.)
Original Story - August 10:
Animal Ark will be closed temporarily due to wildfires in the area.
In a post on Instagram, Animal Ark says it will remain closed until the fires in the area are contained and the situation is safe for visitors, staff, and animals.
An exact date for reopening has not yet been established.
Animal Ark is located right by the Fred Mountain Fire.
Staff were on site throughout Monday caring for the animals and carefully monitoring the situation.
They have an emergency plan in place if further evacuation is necessary.
