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Audubon Aquarium will reopen in June following a major renovation project that creates a combined experience with the newly-relocated Audubon Insectarium
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 27 Apr 2023
Insectarium exhibit galleries have been relocated to the building’s second floor Credit: Audubon Nature Institute
The Audubon Nature Institute (ANI) in New Orleans, Louisiana, has announced the reopening of its reimagined aquarium and insectarium, with the popular US attraction’s grand opening set to coincide with World Ocean Day on June 8.
Audubon Aquarium temporarily closed its doors in November 2022 to undergo an extensive US$34m (€30.8m, £27.5m) renovation, which includes the relocation of the Audubon Insectarium from US Custom House to become a part of the aquarium building.
Bringing both attractions under one roof, ANI says the move aims to immerse visitors in a range of experiences that feature wildlife and habitats from around the world, including local Louisiana bayous, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, South and Central America and the Amazon River basin.
Among the updates, which include 17,000sq ft (1,600sq m) of new exhibit space, a new entrance features a multi-story bird-safe glass curtain wall, a monumental stairway and a 2,500sq ft (232sq m) lobby that will tell the story of Audubon’s conservation work around the world. Separate entrances to the aquarium and the insectarium will sit on the second floor of the facility.
Within the attraction, guests can experience special animal encounters with penguins and a 60-foot-long (18m) hands-on touch pool with sharks and stingrays, daily animal presentations, and behind-the-scenes access to the aquarium’s largest offering, the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico exhibit.
In the reimagined Amazon gallery, visitors can walk through a living green landscape, with 60 free-flying birds in the enclosure representing 15 different species. Guests will then venture into Amazon Encounter, which features animals including armadillo, tortoise, several species of birds and a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth.
The relocated insectarium includes a butterfly garden, which features more than 20 different species of butterfly. ANI says the Insectarium provides guests a chance to “experience the amazing animals that pollinate our crops, add beauty and diversity to our world, and make up the largest group of animals on the planet.”
“Through our reimagining, visitors will experience many of their favourite aquarium exhibits in an entirely new way,” said Rich Toth, senior vice-president and director of Audubon’s downtown facilities.
“Not only are there new animals in our care, but educational opportunities to showcase the important connections between humans, animals, and the environment.”
The aquarium and insectarium’s redevelopment is a key part of the wider re-envisioning of the Mississippi riverfront area. Other projects include Woldenberg Park, which is getting a US$7m (€6.3m, £5.6m) upgrade, while the Canal Street ferry terminal reopened earlier this year following a US$43.5m (€39.4m, £34.8m) renovation.
“The opening of the new Audubon Aquarium and the new Audubon Insectarium are key elements in the re-envisioning of the Mississippi Riverfront at Canal Street,” said Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute’s president and CEO.
“We’re proud to be part of this monumental transformation of the riverfront and look forward to welcoming guests to the aquarium and insectarium in June.”
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