Aquarium of the Americas
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| Aquarium of the Americas | |
 Large shark exhibit
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| Date opened | 1990 |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| # of Animals | 10,000 |
| # of Species | 530 |
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The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a renowned aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Recognized as one of the leading aquariums in the United States, the Aquarium of the Americas is run by the Audubon Institute, which also supervises the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park (in a different part of the city). The Aquarium is located along the banks of the Mississippi River by the edge of the historic French Quarter off Canal Street and opened in 1990.
With 10,000 animals representing 530 species, exhibits include the Mississippi River gallery, featuring catfish, paddlefish, and alligators; a Caribbean reef exhibit featuring a clear, 30-foot-long tunnel surrounded by aquatic creatures; and a Gulf of Mexico exhibit featuring sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays.
The Aquarium of the Americas also hosts an IMAX theater.
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[edit] Katrina damage and aftermath
In 2005, the facilities were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Though the structure survived the initial hurricane and was on high ground above the subsequent flooding of most of the city, electricity outages continued and the backup power generators were unable to fully operate the sophisticated life support systems needed to keep the animals alive. Aquarium staffers were forced to evacuate the facility due to civil unrest in the area only to return four days later to discover that most of the 10,000 fish did not survive.[1][2]
The aquarium reopened on May 26, 2006. They are currently running an Adopt-an-Animal program to solicit funds for rebuilding. Since Hurricane Katrina, the Aquarium has improved, adding more species in their Caribbean and jellyfish exhibits, as well as a large revamp to the Gulf of Mexico tank.[3]
[edit] Gallery
 Children can get a close look! |
 A young sea turtle |
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[edit] References
- ^ Audubon Nature Institute FAQs (2005). Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
- ^ Adopt-A-Fish (2005). Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
- ^ Refilling the Aquarium (14 May 2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-29.
[edit] External links
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Conservation biology | List of zoos | List of zoo associations | Zoological Garden | Menagerie | Tourist attraction | Wildlife Conservation | Endangered species |
