ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WIBW) – Topeka Zoo officials traveled to Asheville, N.C., to assist another zoo affected by Hurricane Helen. 13 NEWS had the opportunity to speak with an employee who wanted to make a difference in the aftermath.
Jason Wills sacrificed his vacation time last Tuesday and Wednesday to help people 14 hours away. Wills said it’s something he’s happy to do.
Wills, a zoo supervisor, volunteered to go to Asheville to help out at the Western North Carolina Nature Center.
The animals were safe and the facility escaped the worst of the damage, but Wills and 10 other people from zoos across the Midwest helped out with the carpentry work.
Wills was shocked by the damage but felt compelled to help rebuild the zoo.
“Zoos are a small family…we serve a great purpose of educating and enlightening people,” Wills said. “So if we lose just one person, there’s going to be a big impact. Cameras and things like that don’t do justice to that at all. So, where there used to be houses, there are no houses. In some places, there’s barely a foundation left. There are some places where
Due to damage from Hurricane Helen, the Western North Carolina Nature Center is closed until further notice.
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