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

[roguevalley]

1. thank you, Jesus, for sparing the little animals. I cry everyday for

everyone, but especially for the dogs and cats.

[superconnected]

3. I agree

the truth is if it was between bush on a roof (and I had a motor boat) and a cat/dog on the roof, I'd head for the animals. Okay, I might not save bush even if there wasn't a higher animal to save.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. A note of good news, anyway. Thanks for posting.

[regnaD kciN]

4. They may have made it for now...

...but I worry about how they're going to be supplied with food and care during the weeks (months?) that NO is still mostly underwater and under evacuation orders.

[CC]

6. My understanding is that

other zoos are helping now and will continue to help them. Anyone connected with a zoo will not let an animal suffer or perish if they can help it.

[peacebuzzard]

5. A little miracle.