The Topeka Zoo announced on its social media on Friday that its maintenance supervisor, Jason, made the trip to North Carolina to assist in efforts to restore WNC Nature Center in Asheville after damages from Hurricane Helene. The Nature Center said the trip was organized by other zoos in the midwest with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

On September 30, WNC Nature Center posted that flooding made the roads impassable and temporarily closed the center. It stated that all staff and animals are safe and accounted for, and only minimal damage was done to the habitats. However, the post said that Swannanoa River Road and the main bridge to the Nature Center had been washed away.

Additional crews assisting with restoration at WNC Nature Center include crews from the Kansas City Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Blank Park Zoo, Dickerson Park Zoo and Topeka Zoo. Lunches for the crews were provided by Auction House Food Hall in Fletcher, NC.