http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0830-new_orleans_aquarium.htmlNew Orleans Aquarium, Zoo escape Hurricane Katrina
mongabay.com
August 30, 2005
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 in 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.
The French Quarter of New Orleans, built on the highest ground in the city, suffered less damage than other neighborhoods.
Widespread power outages have disabled the Audubon Nature Institute and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas web sites.
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.