Audubon Nature Institute

About a year ago, Francois the loggerhead sea turtle was rescued by Audubon Aquarium Rescue, and today we're sharing an update on his progress! 🐢

What would you name twins born on Leap Day? The Audubon Zoo (Audubon Nature Institute) in #NewOrleans decided on “Skip” and “Hops” for their two baby golden lion tamarins born in February. These babies are the first set of offspring for their parents, mother, Ipa, and father, Picante. Golden lion tamarin dads frequently carry the babies, and Picante is no exception. He is the largest of the group at Audubon Zoo and is often seen with Skip or Hops on his back as he moves around their home in the World of Primates area at the #Zoo. Golden lion #Tamarins are one of the most threatened #Primates in the world. 🌲 In the wild, they're found only in a small part of #Brazil's coastal rainforests. Their habitat is disappearing due to increased #Logging, #Agriculture, and other industries in the area where the tamarins live. At one point in the 1970s, there were fewer than 200 of these colorful animals left in the wild, but #Conservation efforts are helping those numbers rebound 📈. The pairing of Ipa and Picante was recommended by AZA’s Species Survival Plan® Golden Lion #Tamarin program, which collaborates to increase the numbers of the species in human care. 🧡 Read more about this tamarin family in Connect: https://bit.ly/3XGE92i. #Tamarins #ZooBaby #ZooBorns #Rainforest #Twins #SSP #EndangeredSpecies #Louisiana

We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of one of Audubon Zoo's female orangutans, Feliz, after a brief illness. Feliz served as a wonderful ambassador for her species and will be deeply missed.

Exciting news from Audubon Nature Institute! 🐤 Two critically endangered blue-crowned laughingthrush chicks have successfully hatched, marking a huge win for the species' survival. With fewer than 300 of these #Birds left in the wild, every new chick brings hope for the future. These chicks are the first of their kind to hatch at the Wings of the World exhibit, highlighting the incredible work of Audubon Zoo’s Bird Department. 🌏 The #Zoo is part of a global effort, joining over 60 other zoos across the U.S., Asia, and Europe in a Global Species Management Plan dedicated to saving these unique birds from extinction. Native to southeastern #China, the blue-crowned laughingthrush is named for its call, which sounds just like laughter. These small birds enjoy a diet of seeds, fruits, berries, and insects. 🌳 Sadly, they face critical endangerment due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. “These chicks are a true example of zoos holding the line against extinction,” says Dr. Steven Whitfield, Audubon Nature Institute’s director of terrestrial and wetlands conservation. 📰 Learn more about how AZA-accredited zoos are working to protect endangered species in Connect: https://bit.ly/46KCiyV. #ZooBaby #ZooBorns #EndangeredSpecies #Zoos #WildlifeTrafficking #NewOrleans #Louisiana

Louisiana Pine Snakes are considered one of the rarest snakes in the U.S. 🐍 This June, a team of conservationists from Audubon Zoo and the USDA Forest Service released six young snakes in the Kisatchie National Forest to help restore wild populations of this imperiled “ssss-species”. These six #Snakes hatched at Audubon Zoo last fall as part of the Louisiana Pine Snake Recovery Program, a collaborative effort involving experts from various organizations, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Memphis Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, and Ellen Trout Zoo. 🤝 Over the past 25 years, Audubon Zoo has hatched 120 Louisiana Pine Snakes. Of these, 15% have been released into the wild! The remainder have contributed to the conservation breeding program. The six snakes, along with others released by conservation partners, have made 2024 the most successful year in the program’s “hiss-tory” 🎉. Read in Connect why Dr. Steven Whitfield, Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation at the Audubon Nature Institute, believes collaborative programs are crucial for preserving this species: https://bit.ly/3XGE92i. #Snake #EndangeredSpecies #Reintroduction #Conservation #Zoo #WildlifeConservation #Wildlife #Louisiana #KisatchieNationalForest #Science

Hatching soon...

On Saturday, August 17, tickets to Audubon Zoo will have special throwback prices to celebrate the 52-year tenure of our President and CEO, Ron Forman. Zoo tickets for adults and children that day will be just $19.72 in honor of the year Forman started at Audubon Zoo.