As I'm sitting here typing this, I can't help but think of the iconic 1975 Louisiana song by the Meters "They All Asked for You". Of course, the first line goes "I went on down to the Audubon Zoo, and they all asked for you". It's a perfect tune to remind us of how lucky we are to have an internationally known zoo for all of us to enjoy right here in the Bayou State.

And apparently, lots of people agree, because the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans has just been voted one of the Top 10 Zoos in America by readers of USA Today. This historic wildlife park is part of the Audubon Nature Institute and has been around since 1914. It was named after famed nature lover and naturalist John J. Audubon and has delighted families for generations with over 2,000 animals on 58 acres in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans.

According to Katie Smith, the Senior Director of Marketing at the zoo, several famous movies have been filmed on the grounds throughout the years, including "Cat People", "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", and "Jurrasic World". It has also served as a background for numerous television shows and commercials.

USA Today says their criteria was based on asking "readers to vote for their favorite North American AZA-accredited zoos – facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment, while also facilitating meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors.". The Top Ten for 2020 are listed below.

  1. Ft. Worth Zoo
  2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
  3. Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
  4. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs
  5. Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, Florida
  6. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans
  7. San Diego Zoo
  8. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson
  9. Dallas Zoo
  10. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert, California

 

 

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