sad question but what about the zoo?

[binny]

http://www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo/index.php


I actually had a dream last night about rescuing a giraffe and a Zebra.


It was a weird dream but Ive just been thinking about it.


Has anything been said about the zoo?

[jfulcer]

The zoo was not flooded. But I am not sure if the keepers stayed to take care of them. I would assume some did, but to keep feeding all those animals for an extended time???? Who knows.

[perdidobay]

Binny, I just talked to my daughter who works for the Memphis Zoo and she said they have been in communication with zookeepers in NO. They had some flooding in the aquarium, but no bad damage. The biggest danger now is that they are running low on gasoline to run the generators that run the pumps. If they run out of fuel, all the creatures in the tanks will die, slowly but surely.
She said they have 14 keepers to take care of 1500 animals. They have got to be worn out by now. They are heros in my eyes.
DD also said that the police have been letting the keepers get food from nearby stores to feed themselves and the animals. I'm sure all the fresh produce has gone bad by now though.
I hope they can hold out. :paw:

[binny]

Thank you, Im glad the zoo did not sustain a lot of damage.

I will add them all to my prayers as well. I agree, the keepers are heroes too.

[C.Ann]

The man who was in charge of the zoo that was destroyed in Hurricane Andrew was on tv talking about this the other night.. At that time, they still didn't know the extent of the damage and he was quite concerned.. So glad to hear the damage wasn't worse.. :flower:

[ducklite]

After Hurricane Andrew, the administration of Audubon Zoo gathered a blue ribbon panel of experts. Zookeepers, veterinarians, disaster response experts, engineers, and more. They put together what many feel is the single best comprehensive emergency plan for a zoological park in the world. It seems to have worked. This was a catastrophe beyond what any of them imagined could ever possibly be, and they have lost very few animals.

A highly trained, highed rehearsed staff rode out the storm at the zoo with the animals in bunker like buildings that were purposely designed to withstand a category 4 or greater hurricane, and by design were placed on the highest ground in the zoo.

They did lose a few animals, I've heard river otters and flamingo's mentioned, but do not have the exact info on that.

They are running low on fuel, and "freshies", and some of the animals are a bit agitated, which is understandable. I also have talked to a zookeeper in another state who has been in contact with Audubon zookeepers, and they are tired, frazzled, and growing worried, but are very, very proud of the incredible feat they have accomplished. They ahve the right to be. :)

Anne

[Tanuki]

And in an amazing stroke of luck the albino alligator valued at a million dollars who usually lives at the New Orleans aquarium happened to be on loan for the summer to a zoo in New Jersey. He will be their guest until New Orleans can get back on it's feet.

[bengalbelle]

It was just reported locally that only 2 out of 1400 animals were killed at the zoo.

[Bunch24]

It was just reported locally that only 2 out of 1400 animals were killed at the zoo.

Considering the percentage, that's FANTASTIC NEWS!!!!!

I so love the Audubon Zoo. My perfect day in New Orleans is beignets and coffee at Cafe Du Monde in the morning, the aquarium after breakfast, a ride on the John James Audubon for lunch and the zoo in the afternoon. Then we ride the JJA back to the Riverwalk and head to the Mall for the rest of the evening.

My little boy loves it.

[Allan]

I'm so glad to hear that, all things considered, the zoo seems to be doing ok.

Bunch24, about 3 weeks ago we did that same thing and it was so much fun.

[bengalbelle]

It was just reported locally that only 2 out of 1400 animals were killed at the zoo.
It was 3/1400. Two otter and a raccoon.

[Bunch24]

It was 3/1400. Two otter and a raccoon.

Well, if they need a raccoon, I have two of them in my backyard. I love watching them play in the yard, they wrestle around like little kids. But I hate when they get in my trash cans. Sneaky little devils.

[Planogirl]

Many places are getting their power turned on now supposedly in order of need. I hope that the zoo is way up on that list!

[ducklite]

Great article about Audubon on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/09/05/katrina.zoos/index.html

Anne

[binny]

Great article about Audubon on CNN today:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/09/05/katrina.zoos/index.html

Anne

Thanks for the update!