Audubon Zoo in New Orleans

Audubon Zoo in New Orleans -- One of the country's top-ranked zoos, Audubon Zoo blends the exotic excitement of animals from around the globe with the serenity of its lush gardens. With innovative natural habitat exhibits and an animal collection ranging from the unique white alligators to the extraordinary white tigers, Audubon Zoo has become one of the Gulf South's favorite family gathering spots.

There are live animal presentations at the Shell's Wildlife on Stage amphitheater, and hands-on encounters with a variety of animals at Discovery Walk and the Embraceable Zoo. In addition to the amazing animals and show stopping exhibits you can ride the Endangered Species Carousel, Simulator and Swamp Train. You can also shop in our fabulous Audubon Marketplace gift shop or spend the day enjoying the sights and sounds of the world around you!

Audubon Zoo Exhibit Highlights

The Louisiana Swamp
It's amazing to think of all of the planning that went into an environment that looks so natural like the Zoo's Louisiana Swamp Exhibit. With cypress knees, Spanish moss and swamp favorites like the white alligator, this exhibit is a slice out of a Louisiana bayou. Visitors can also see a trapper's cottage, sample some spicy Cajun cuisine, witness a real-life 'gator feeding or watch the nutria and black bears at play.

Jaguar Jungle
The innovative Jaguar Jungle exhibit brings together the animals, people, environment and culture of the Mayan civilization in a jungle rainforest setting. Spider monkeys, scarlet ibis, a sloth and the most sacred animals in Mayan lore - jaguars - are waiting for you. There are also recreated ruins, a dig site where young archeologists can unearth treasures and the beautiful Jaguar Plaza featuring the magnificent jaguars.

White Tigers
Two white tiger brothers are pouncing and prowling at Audubon Zoo. Named Rex and Zulu in honor of Mardi Gras royalty, these tigers weigh in at a hefty 380 pounds each. Like all cats, they spend quite a bit of time lounging around but when they are in the mood to be frisky, Rex and Zulu always draw a crowd by leaping, pouncing and chasing each other around their exhibit. These white tigers are not true albinos. Their fur is white, marked with chocolate brown to charcoal gray stripes, their eyes are icy blue, and their nose and pawpads are pink.

The Dragon's Lair
Visitors from near and far have marveled at the six to nine foot dragons, which tout the title of the world's largest lizard. A member of the monitor family, the average Komodo weighs around 200 pounds. Komodos are found only on three small Indonesian islands - Komodo, Flores and Rinca. Although the island people have lived with the enormous lizards for generations, they were virtually unknown to outsiders until they were officially described by Europeans in 1912. Thanks to this discovery, we can witness these awesome creatures that can sprint up to 15 miles per hour...faster than most humans can run. Considered a national treasure in their homeland Indonesia, Komodo's wild habitats are now protected at Komodo National Park, and efforts are increasing to breed them in captivity.

World of Primates
Discover the amazing world of primates at Audubon Zoo with organutans, marmosets, lemurs and siamangs - just to name a few. Also in this area are the gorillas with Casey, our male gorilla who arrived from Como Zoo in St Paul, Minnesota in April 2002. As troop leader, Casey shares his Audubon home with three females: Praline (the youngest) Binti (Praline's mom) and Fanya. Casey celebrated his 24th birthday on June 28, 2006.

Monkey Hill
Monkey Hill was originally constructed by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. The intent, legend has it, was to show the children of very flat New Orleans what a hill looks like! Now, Monkey Hill features a five-level treehouse to give visitors a monkey-eye view from the legendary tallest point in New Orleans. There is also a rope bridge, bronze lion sculptures, wading pools and plenty of "room to roll" down Monkey Hill which has been a highlight of a Zoo visit for generations.

Rhinos
If you come to Audubon Zoo you can see the Southern white rhinos in the African Savanna exhibit. This species is declining in its native Africa due to poaching, human encroachment and habitat destruction. Only 12,000 or so remain in the wild, with about 160 in captivity. Recovery of the population is also hampered by the species' slow growth and reproduction rate. Mother rhinos are pregnant for 17 months!

All exhibits at the Zoo are open except for the sea lion pool which is undergoing renovations.

Audubon Zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals! Want to learn more about our amazing creatures? Visit Audubon Zoo!

Other Attractions at the Zoo

~ Endangered Species Carousel
~ Safari Simulator Ride
~ Swamp Train
*Admission to these attractions is not included in the price of your admission ticket.

Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included in the price of the ticket. Please order online, or call us toll-free at 888-794-8288.