Giraffes return to Audubon Zoo in New Orleans
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Maverick, on the left, and Fennessy are the newest residents at Audubon Zoo. Photo: Audubon Nature Institute
Audubon Zoo in New Orleans has giraffes again.
Why it matters: The popular zoo enclosure has been empty since the death of the last member of its herd more than a year ago.
The big picture: Two young males moved in over the summer and are getting adjusted, Audubon spokesperson Melissa Lee tells Axios. Guests may see them in the enclosure or poking over the fence in Audubon Park.
- Maverick (yes, as in "Top Gun") is 2 years old and was born at the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center on the West Bank.
- Fennessy is also 2 years old and was born at the Abilene Zoo in Texas. He's named after the co-founder of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
Zoom in: Maverick is living up to his name and is doing the most exploring so far, Lee said. He's the one guests are most likely to see from the zoo's viewing platform.
- Fennessy is "more shy," she said, and is hanging in the out-of-sight barn.
- "We're letting them get used to the enclosure and their new home on their time, Lee said.
Will there be more giraffes? "There's always room to grow, but we're happy with two for now," Lee said. "They get along great."
Catch up quick: Audubon had four male giraffes in its herd for years — Forrest, Jumo, Chui and Bucko.
- Jumo died suddenly in 2017 after eight years at the zoo.
- Chui died in 2021 at the age of 21.
- Bucko died in 2022 at the age of 20.
- Forrest died in February 2023 at the age of 23. He had been at the zoo since 2002.