Here's a press release from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association regarding relief efforts to help affected zoos in New Orleans and their employees. There is also a link to more information about current conditions at these institutions.

AZA ACCREDITED ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS RALLY TO AID NEW ORLEANS ZOO AND AQUARIUM COLLEAGUES, ANIMALS AFTER HURRICANE DISASTER

SILVER SPRING, MD – Members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) are responding to their New Orleans colleagues’ need for help following the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina this week. The 211-accedited- member association today announced plans – including a national fundraising initiative -- to help the Audubon Nature Institute, which includes the Audubon Zoo, the Aquarium of the Americas, and the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species (ACRES). The facilities and their staff, like all New Orleanians, are struggling in the aftermath of the disaster.

“The Audubon Nature Institute staff in New Orleans are not only colleagues, but they are also our friends, and we all share a passion for the animals in our care,” said Bill Foster, DMV, president of the AZA board of directors and director of the Birmingham Zoo. “The AZA community is committed to helping our colleagues in New Orleans as they move beyond this tragedy and begin to rebuild their homes, their lives and the wonderful facilities of the Audubon Nature Institute.”

Dr. Foster asked Kevin Bell, President and CEO of Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, to spearhead the AZA member fund drive to help provide immediate and long-term relief to the staff and their families, the animals and the facilities in New Orleans. Bell said that in response to the overwhelming zoo and aquarium community interest in aiding the Audubon Nature Institute, a program is now in place enabling AZA members as well as the general public to donate.

To make a donation, people can visit the Lincoln Park Zoo web site at http://www.lpzoo.org and click on hurricane relief, or mail a check, made out to The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, and send it to: Lincoln Park Zoo, P.O.
Box 14903, Chicago IL 60614, Attention: Hurricane Katrina Relief.

All donations will be channeled directly to aid the zoo and aquarium and their staff members in New Orleans. The Executive Committee of the AZA Board of Directors will handle the distribution of these funds.

In addition to the fund drive, AZA is coordinating relief efforts that will provide animal food, veterinary medicine, fuel and other supplies directly to the facilities in New Orleans. “Getting help to our colleagues is problematic at this time due to emergency restrictions,” noted Foster. “However we are preparing our plan and will be ready with immediate assistance when supply routes are open.”

AZA is providing frequent updates on the zoo and aquarium situation in New Orleans at http://www.aza.org/Newsroom/hurricaneupdate/