animals

Three Baby Penguins Hatch At Audubon Aquarium

Jason Saul — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:40:15 +0000

Three endangered African Blackfooted penguin chicks are now on display at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas penguin exhibit, the Aquarium announced today.

The chicks, born in March, are growing quickly, the Aquarium says, and are products of the Audubon Penguin Breeding Program.

Interviews: Rep. John Bel Edwards, Sen. Robert Adley, Deborah Simmons-Harris and Robert Zinn

editor — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:08:00 +0000

Guest host Bob Mann talks with Louisiana state lawmakers Representative John Bel Edwards (D-Amite) and Senator Robert Adley (R-Benton) about the state budget conflict and other matters at the Capitol, with just two days left in the Legislative Session.

Deborah Simmons-Harris, who has created her own private animal sanctuary, and former LSU professor Robert Zinn, who recently had over 100 pet box turtles confiscated by state Wildlife & Fisheries, discuss caring for wild animals.

Equest Farm: Country Mouse In The City

Maureen McMurray — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:04:38 +0000

In his State of the City Address last week, Mayor Mitch Landrieu praised the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission for the growth of this year’s summer youth programs, which include 33 youth camps, seven teen camps and an expanded summer jobs program. For parents and guardians seeking something a bit more rural, it’s also possible — and right within New Orleans city limits.

Chimp Haven Set To Begin Construction On New Housing

Kate Archer Kent — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:34:00 +0000

The national chimpanzee sanctuary in Keithville, La., is making accommodations to care for 111 newly-retired government-owned chimps that were used in medical research over the years. To date, Chimp Haven has taken in 50 of the chimps from the New Iberia Research Center.

Chimp Haven Rallies Midway Through $5 Million Capital Campaign

editor — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:41:00 +0000

The introduction of new chimpanzees into the established groups at Chimp Haven can be tricky. There tends to be some infighting at first. Eight federally-owned former research chimps from New Iberia are learning to live in their new groups at the national sanctuary in Keithville, La.

Escaped Monkey Prompts Audubon Zoo Shutdown

Jason Saul — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:29:50 +0000

A 33-pound monkey escaped its enclosure at the Audubon Zoo Friday morning, prompting an hour-long shutdown of the facility while zookeepers wrangled the animal back into captivity and made sure the area was safe.

The monkey, an 11-year-old black-and-white African Colobus named Kivuli, was spotted on the loose at about 10:17 a.m. Zoo officials ushered park-goers indoors and shut the gates of the facility, according to Audubon spokespeople and eyewitnesses.

Ascension Parish Faces Tough Choices on Animal Control

The Associated Press — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 23:24:48 +0000

The Ascension Parish Animal Control Center could be closed if parish officials determine they can't continue to swallow $177,000 in deficit costs each year.

People vs. Pets? Plans For City Dog Parks Draw Growls From Some Owners

Eve Abrams — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 14:25:06 +0000

If you own a dog in New Orleans, there are two places where your dog can legally run around off-leash: your yard and City Bark, the private dog park in City Park.

The New Orleans Recreation Development Commission wants to change that. NORD-C has selected two off-leash dog-runs for each district, but with city money tight there’s no telling when they’ll be built.

Appeals Court Hears Truck Stop Tiger Case

The Associated Press — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 16:44:59 +0000

An attorney for a truck stop owner told a Louisiana appeals court that an animal rights group and several individuals had no legal right to file suit in 2010 challenging a Grosse Tete truck stop's state permit to house a 550-pound tiger at the facility.

Two Zoos, One Big Breeding Ground for Antelope, Birds

The Associated Press — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:00:00 +0000

Two top zoos are creating a home where endangered antelope can roam and help repopulate their species on 1,000 acres in New Orleans.

More than two dozen species of hoofed animals and birds may live in the facility planned by the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy and New Orleans' Audubon Nature Institute.