Zoo Updates +(long)+

[CTReptileRescue]

Hi all,
I'm lazy so here is a copy/paste from HerpDigest that I just recently recieved:

3) Audubon Zoo survived Katrina (See Next Article, Aquarium Hit Hard)

04/09/2005 13:22 - AFP

New Orleans - Other than an alligator on the loose, a couple of dead
otters and a host of shell-shocked animals, denizens of the New Orleans
zoo, came through deadly Hurricane Katrina relatively unscathed.

But Dan Maloney, general curator of the Audubon Zoo is now worried
about the danger posed by downed trees and low-flying rescue helicopters
that he says traumatise his animals.

Tired and, Maloney was however quick to play down fears that the zoo
itself posed a fresh danger to New Orleans, brought to its knees by one
of the worst natural disasters in US history.

Residents need not worry about dangerous animals prowling through the
wreckage if the city, he said, stressing all were accounted for except
for the single errant alligator, he said.

"We were very fortunate," said Maloney, who weathered the storm and its
aftermath in the zoo that is home to around 1 500 animals from over 350
species from around the world.

Because it is built on high ground, the zoo avoided flooding and the
fatalities were minimal in a city where the human death toll is thought
to have reached in the thousands.

"We lost a pair of young river otters," said Maloney evidently upset
over the loss of life.

Some animals went missing after the storm and flooding hit Monday, but
most returned and were found soundly in the zoo, including a black
vulture who was found happily munching on cattle egrits.

"We also had a flamingo that was traumatised. We though he would die
but he has returned to the flock. "I'm sure the alligator will return
too," said Maloney.

The giraffes were apparently a little upset at the water rationing
imposed as the city utilities fell victim to the deadly storm.

Calling out "come here sweetie, sweetie", Maloney held out a bucket of
extra water for the four animals who timidly approached with what
seemed liked a dazed look, retreating a few steps, but eventually lapping up
their drink.

Enough meat

The big cats were kept well fed. "We invite journalists in, lock the
gates and then they are never heard of again," he joked.

In fact the lions and other fierce felines had bellyfulls of meat
thanks to a two week supply kept in massive freezers powered by generators.

For years, the zoo has been preparing for just such a storm,
reinforcing concrete structures that house most animals during the hurricane,
organizing emergency supplies and preparing for the potential evacuation
of staff.

Dozens of zoo officials and wardens sat out the storm and the horrific
aftermath alongside the animals they love in what they have now
nicknamed "Camp Katrina".

"We holed up in the reptile house," said Maloney, as workers removed
downed trees to clear a path for trucks to bring in diesel to fuel
generators needed to regulate temperatures in the serpentarium.

Maloney praised the efforts of rescue teams searching for people
trapped in their flooded homes, but said he worried about the psychological
impact of the low flying helicopters on zoo animals.

"They're getting spooked, this could serious affect them," he said.

He also feared it could take as long as four years to get the zoo back
in pristine shape.

But most of all he is relieved virtually all animals survived Katrina's
wrath.

As flood waters rose in the low-lying city in the hours after the
storm, he had feared they would drown the animals, Maloney said.

"I was this close to building the ark," he said.
__________________________________________________________________

5) Hurricane Update - Zoo By Zoo Update Of AZA Member Institutions In
Areas Hit by Katrina - From Website of the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association

As of 9/6/05 4 PM
New Orleans

The Audubon Nature Institute staff is aware that the AZA community has
responded — and continues to respond — to this crisis in an
overwhelming way and is extremely thankful. AZA is maintaining a list of offers of
assistance by category. This will be a long-term effort and our
colleagues at the Audubon Nature Institute appreciate all that has been
offered.

Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
A small team of staff is working around the clock to care for the
collection and is preparing to move some animals out of the facility.
Unfortunately, without a fully functioning life support system, most of the
fish in the collection were lost. But the good news is that the sea
otters, penguins, leafy and weedy seadragons, macaws, raptors, an electric
eel, and the white alligator are fine.

Midas, the infamous 250 lb. sea turtle, survived and has been coaxed
into the holding area in the Gulf of Mexico Exhibit.

Please keep the Aquarium staff in your thoughts and prayers. This is a
heartbreaking time for all of them.

Audubon Zoo
The staff at the Zoo is supporting the efforts of their colleagues at
the Aquarium of the Americas. They have received needed supplies and are
continuing to clean up the Zoo and providing care for their animals.

Audubon Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species
The staff at ACRES is doing well and they are in clean–up mode as well.
There is a plan in place for them to receive needed supplies very soon.

The Audubon Nature Institute is receiving messages from our
international colleagues.

Outside of New Orleans

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo
Baton Rouge, LA
BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo re-opened on September 1. Most of clean-up has
been completed and power is back on. A baby zebra was just born!

Alexandria Zoo
Alexandria, LA
The Alexandria Zoo has resumed normal operations. No loss of animals.

Jackson Zoo
Jackson, MS
The Jackson Zoo has resumed normal operation. There was no loss in the
animal collection and no major damage to any of the exhibit areas.

Birmingham Zoo
Birmingham, Al
The Birmingham Zoo has resumed normal operations. No loss of animals.

Miami Metrozoo
Miami, FL
Miami Metrozoo reopened as planned on Saturday, September 3rd. They are
continuing clean-up in the non-public areaa and are doing very well. No
animal loss reported.

Montgomery Zoo
Montgomery, AL
The Montgomery Zoo has resumed normal operations. No loss of animals.

The ZOO
Gulf Breeze, FL
The ZOO reports only minor damage and no loss of animals.
_______________________________________________________________________
Rusty

[daniel1983]

Thanks for the update Rusty......I just wish the aquarium would had better luck