New Orleans Aquarium, Zoo escape Hurricane Katrina

[kskiska]

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans apparently survived Hurricane Katrina relatively unscathed according to a report in The Baltimore Sun. Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana city Monday.

According to Ron Forman, president of the Audubon Nature Institute that oversees the city's aquarium and zoo, only a few flamingos died and was little other loss of animal life. The Audubon Zoo also fared well in the storm.

Located along the banks of the Mississippi River near the historic French Quarter, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas has some 10,000 animals and is considerd one of the world's foremost aquariums. Officials closed the aquarium early to prepare for Katrina. When the storm hit the aquarium lost power but relied on generator for keeping critical equipment operational. The aquarium also had plenty of food and freshwater according to an article in Wednesday's Palladium-Item.

(snip)

In neighboring Mississippi, the fate of a group of dolphins moved to Gulfport is unknown. According to The Daily Telegraph, the animals were last seen in a hotel swimming pool, but the storm left the town of 70,000 people under 10 feet (3m) of water. The Gulport aquarium was totally destroyed.

more…
http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0830-new_orleans_aquarium.html

[Rowdyboy]

1. This is the best news we've had down here in three days!

Thanks you so much! My partner and I both love the Audubon Zoo and, as animal lovers, were very concerned because we hadn't seen a single story on the subject since Katrina hit. Thank you so much for the information.

[kskiska]

3. I'd been wondering about it too

I've been to the Audubon Zoo and heard that Uptown was flooded, too, and wondered how the animals were faring. I thought it ominous that there was no mention of the zoo in the papers. I did a search and came up with this. Good news.

[jobycom]

2. One of the aerial shots of the MS Coast saw some dolphins playing

in the Gulf behind where the Hard Rock would be. I didn't think about it then, but I never remember seeing dolphins close to the beach like that before. I wonder... They seemed black in the picture, but larger than the little gulf dolphins I've seen following boats around.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. I had finally heard this!

This is indeed good news. I had an earlier post inquiring about this issue....cross post this in the pet forum for the rest of us animal aficionados. :)

[kskiska]

5. Can't find the pet forum

Be my guest and post it there.
:)

[Lorien]

6. Here you go:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=243

[kskiska]

7. Thanks!!!

I'll post it there.

[FVZA_Colonel]

8. I had heard about the dolphins being moved to a hotel swimming pool.

It really did warm my heart to think about the people who had their day brightened, however momentarily, by being able to see, and maybe even pet, those wonderful creatures. I was curious as to the effect the chlorine would have on them, but, obviously, it must be negligable or non-existant.

[earth mom]

9. Thanks for the news-A bright spot in a very bleak day. eom

[Alamom]

10. Thanks for reporting

I am so happy to hear this news.