Zoo Animals Evacuated By Line Fire Return Home To Big Bear

PALM DESERT, CA — Nearly four dozen animals are back home at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo one week after they were rushed to safety as the Line Fire drew closer to the lake.

According to zoo representatives, animal curators worked with their counterparts at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens to safely transport 45 animals from Big Bear to Palm Desert on Sept. 12. The Living Desert provided comfort and shelter to the animals over the last week, ensuring they did not miss a meal and got their regular activities while at their temporary home, the zoo said.

Investigators believe the nearly 40,000-acre blaze was intentionally set, and its rapid growth triggered evacuation orders and warnings for thousands of neighbors. According to Cal Fire, containment had surpassed 50 percent by Thursday, and the vast majority of evacuations have been lifted.

The improving outlook allowed Big Bear Alpine Zoo to bring the animals back, and on Thursday afternoon staffers from both zoos worked together to load foxes, owls, hawks and other creatures into crates for the road trip back to Big Bear Lake.

The zoo thanked staffers at The Living Desert for their hospitality and said the animals "adjusted quickly and seamlessly" to their temporary home and received exceptional care.