One of the most famous zoo in New Orleans is Audubon Zoo. It is the top-ranked zoo in New Orleans. However, there are many famous zoos in New Orleans.
1. Famous Zoo In New Orleans – Top Places To Visit!
There are mainly three zoos. It is for terrestrial and aquatic animals. It also includes an insect zoo. These are Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, and Audubon Insectarium. Let’s review the information below. For detailed information about these zoos, look through it.
1.1. Audubon Zoo
The Audubon Zoo is situated in the city of New Orleans. This is in the state of Louisiana, United States. It is an American Zoo. However, it’s a segment of Audubon Nature Institute. Also, it handles the following organizations:
- Audubon Park
- The Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
- Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network
- Freeport-McMoran Species Survival Center
- Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
The zoo occupies an area of 58 acres. Further, it provides shelter to more than two thousand animals. Besides, the zoo is mainly located in a part of Audubon Park. Moreover, Audubon Park is situated in Uptown New Orleans. This is on Magazine Street’s Mississippi River side. John James Audubon was an artist. He was a naturalist as well. Also, the name of the park is inspired by his name. Further, his name was taken to honor him. He lived in New Orleans city in 1821.
1.1.1. Attractions in Audubon Zoo
There are many recognizable attractions in the Audubon Zoo. Following are the names of these attractions.
1.1.1.1. African Savanna
Before the sight of the African, Savanna is a petting zoo. It’s inside the Audubon Zoo. This zoo is known as the Watoto Walk. It shelters sheep, donkeys, goats, and miniature zebu. The first insertion in the African Savanna includes many animals. These are marabou storks, black-crowned cranes, and giraffes. There are habitats for African lions and wild dogs nearby.
Furthermore, the field shelters pink-backed pelicans and Abyssinian ground hornbills. Great white pelicans and Thomson’s gazelles are also included. The third habitat here shelters blue wildebeest, white rhinos, and Burchell’s Zebras. Lastly, the final and fourth habitat shelters the red river hogs.
1.1.1.2. Jaguar Jungle
Jaguar Jungle is an area, based on a ruined Mayan Temple theme. This area consists of the following animals.
- Common Boa
- Ocelots
- St. Vincent Agoutis
- Alpacas
- Jaguars
- Blue and Yellow Macaws
- Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys
- Giant Anteaters
- Scarlet Macaws
- Maguari Storks
In 2019, a new nocturnal house was added. It features the following animals.
- Central American Giant Cave Cockroaches
- Seba’s Short-Tailed Bats
- Common Vampire Bats
- Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
- Anthony’s Poison Arrow Frogs
- Nancy Ma’s Night Monkeys
1.1.1.3. World of Primates
The World of Primates shelters a wide range of primates. These primates include the troop of:
- Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs
- Black and White Colobus Monkeys
- Western Lowland Gorillas
- Golden Lion Tamarin
- The Black Howler Monkeys
- Mandrills
1.1.1.4. Sea Lion Theatre
California Sea Lions is a North American seal. It lives here in a huge lagoon. In 2017, two female sea lions arrived at the zoo. Jolee and Ayah were the names of these seals. They were transferred here from Los Angeles’s Marine Mammal Care Center.
However, they were found helpless. But they were rescued.
1.1.1.5. Asian Domain
Asian Domain is a part of the zoo. This houses most of the Asian animals of the zoo. These animals live in various large yards of the zoo. It includes Barasingha, Asian small-clawed otters, and Amur leopards. Malayan tigers and Sun Bears are also included.
1.1.1.6. Louisiana Swamp
It is an exhibit that is mainly outdoors. This features many native to southern Louisiana animal samples. Following are the animals featured in this exhibit.
- Blue Crabs
- Cougars
- Bobcats
- Alligator Snapping Turtles
- American Black Bears
- Red Foxes
- Raccoons
- American Alligators
- Snakes
- Fish
- Nutria
- North American River Otters
1.1.1.7. Audubon Aviary
It is an Aviary inside the zoo. This showcases over 30 worldwide bird species. Further, it includes:
- Nicobar Pigeons
- Taveta Golden Weavers
- Blue Crowned Laughingthrushes
- Indian Peafowl
You will find a yard full of Emus here. The yard is located outside the Aviary.
1.1.1.8. South American Pampas
There is a maned wolf enclosure. It is located at the entrance of the region. A boardwalk beside a large pond shelters American White Pelicans, Caribbean Flamingos, and Brown Pelicans.
1.1.1.9. Reptile Encounter
Komodo Dragon is the latest exhibit in the Reptile Encounter section. Most of the other animals are sheltered here. These animals include:
- Gaboon Viper
- Panther Chameleon
- False Gharial
- Gila Monster
- Green Anaconda
1.2. Audubon Aquarium
The Audubon Aquarium is situated in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, US. Officially, it unfolded on September 1, 1990. However, it was reopened on June 8, 2023. It was after the addition of new exhibits.
Audubon Nature Institute executes the Audubon Aquarium. This is the same institute that runs Audubon Zoo too. It’s along with other organizations of Audubon.
Further, it is established across the Mississippi River’s bank. It is by the historic French Quarter’s edge. Besides, the aquarium is better known for featuring American aquatic life. Its exhibits display the North and South American regions. Furthermore, it has 10,000 animals. These animals represent a wide range of 530 species. Its popular exhibits are listed below.
1.2.1. Notable Exhibits of Audubon Aquarium
Following are the notable exhibits of the Audubon Aquarium:
1.2.1.1. Caribbean Reef Exhibit
Caribbean Reef Exhibit features a clear and long tunnel. This tunnel is 9 meters (30 feet). The 132,000 US gallons tank surrounds this tunnel. It showcases recognizable sea life. For instance, angelfish and tarpon.
1.2.1.2. Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico has a tall tank. This tank is 400,000 US gallons. It is a 17-foot-tall tank. Further, it contains stingrays, sea turtles, and sharks.
1.2.1.3. Amazon Exhibit
The Amazon Exhibit is wrapped in a glass cylinder. It is a greenhouse. Its climate is controlled and humid. So, it is a riverfront’s important feature. This includes freshwater stingrays, piranhas, macaws, anacondas, etc.
1.2.1.4. Mississippi River Gallery
The gallery of the Mississippi River showcases many aquatic animals. It consists of a white alligator, paddlefish, catfish, and owls.
1.2.2. Damages after Hurricane Katrina
- In 2005, Hurricane Katrina affected many facilities in the aquarium.
- However, the building of the aquarium was not affected much. As it was above the ground.
- But the power supply outages occurred. So, it could not fully support aquatic animals’ lives.
- Over ten thousand fish could not survive due to this.
- The Audubon Aquarium was opened again on May 26, 2006.
1.3. Audubon Insectarium
Audubon Insectarium is an insect museum. However, it’s an insectarium as well. It is situated in New Orleans in Louisiana state in the United States. Previously, the museum was situated in the U. S. Customs House Federal Building.
This was closer to the Audubon Aquarium. After moving, the museum was reopened on June 8, 2023.
On June 13, 2008, an insectarium was added to the museum.
1.3.1. Interesting Facts about Insectarium
- In 2009, Thea Award was presented to the organization. This award was given for Outstanding Achievement in a Science Center.
- It is the segment of the Audubon Nature Institute complex.
- The museum and insectarium were initially located on the first floor of the U. S. Customs House Federal Building.
- However, it has many multimedia elements. It’s along with more than fifty live exhibits.
- Also, it includes a twenty-three thousand square foot area. This was the biggest American museum. Popular for free-standing as it is devoted to insects.
- Audubon Insectarium declared the temporary shutdown of the insectarium. Moreover, this was declared in September 2020.
- Besides this happened during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States of America.
- At that time, due to revenue shortages caused by Covid-19.
- Several exhibits of the insectarium will be replaced in the area of the aquarium.
2. Audubon Nature Institute
The above three zoos are operated by the Audubon Nature Institute.
This institute is home to parks and museums. These are loyal to nature. It’s dedicated to natural lives as well. However, the institute is entirely based in New Orleans. Also, the institute is comprised of the following centers:
- First – Audubon Zoo
- Second – Audubon Wilderness Park
- Third – Audubon Park
- Fourth – Audubon Coastal Wildlife Network
- Fifth – Freeport McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center
- Sixth – Audubon Louisiana Nature Center
- Seventh – ACRES – Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species
- Eighth – Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
- Last – Woldenberg Riverfront Park
3. Conclusion
Zoo in New Orleans is primarily the only one. If you are looking for terrestrial animal zoos. Otherwise, there are three zoos in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, US. All three zoos are Audubon’s. It is a renowned organization. Under this, several parks and other institutes are operated.
Zoos are the most exciting places to visit. It’s when you want to enjoy a light adventure. You can visit these zoos and aquariums with your family. Furthermore, you can explore a large variety of animals. These animals are of distinct species. Here, you can get experience of hand feeding with animals. It is quite a knowledgeable tour to take with your kids.
However, aquariums are another thing with the most fun. It gives you lovely vibes. Especially, when you can explore marine life from closer. Looking at the aquatic animals in front of your eyes is another level of experience. This is quite an exciting activity for all ages.
Also, in an insectarium, you can explore a variety of impressive insects. About many of these insects, you haven’t heard of before. So, when you are in New Orleans. Don’t forget to visit these three places and the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.
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Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by SushmitaBiswas
