Aquarium of the Americas

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is an aquarium in New Orleans, Louisiana and is one of the leading aquariums in the United States.

The Aquarium of the Americas is part of the " Audubon Nature Institute " that even the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park passes in other parts of the city. The aquarium is located directly on the banks of the Mississippi River on the edge of the historic French Quarter to Canal Street, and was opened in 1990.

It has 10,000 animals of 530 different species. Among the special exhibition areas include the "Mississippi River gallery" with catfish, paddlefish and alligators; the "Caribbean reef exhibit " with a nine meter long glass tunnel leading under water through the habitat of the Caribbean Sea; the "Gulf of Mexico exhibit ," can be viewed in the sharks, sea turtles and stingrays.

The aquarium also has an IMAX movie theater.

Damage caused by Hurricane Katrina

In 2005 the plant was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina hit. Although the building was not particularly damaged and is high enough to escape the worst flooding, the emergency power supply could not maintain the elaborate power supply to the aquarium, which required most of the animals to be kept alive.

The employees of the aquarium had to leave the city as well as the residents and were able to return until four days later. However, when she returned, she could see only the death of almost all living things. Outstanding was the survival of 19 penguins, which were immediately placed in other facilities and were able to return to her old home after the reconstruction of the aquarium.

The aquarium was reopened on 26 May 2006. To restore the original biodiversity and exhibition size, an extensive sponsorship program was launched. In addition, the Aquarium of the Americas has received numerous donations from other aquariums around the world. Since the reopening of the aquarium even has its diversity in some areas increase: On Caribbean reef and in the jellyfish exhibit additional types have been added. In addition, the water tank for the representation of the Gulf of Mexico has been extended.