Causes: Animals, Education, Wildlife Preservation & Protection, Zoos & Aquariums

Programs: 2014 was marked by promising attendance trends and many successes for audubon nature institute. With an eye on the future, audubon remained committed to providing outstanding guest experiences, educational opportunities, and developing partnerships to protect the wonders of nature. At audubon zoo in 2014, a new petting zoo named watoto walk opened and cool zoo opened for a fourth season. A female colobus monkey and a pair of critically endangered false gharials were born. The zoo also welcomed a new addition to its southern white rhinoceros herd and huey and roux, two rescued california sea lion pups, joined the zoo family in february. Audubon aquarium of the americas received accreditation by the association of zoos and aquariums (aza) in march of 2014. The aquarium underwent a thorough review to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. Aza requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the association. In 2014, the aquarium welcomed caroline, a three-year-old sand tiger shark, and added dwarf cuttlefish to the living in water exhibit. Audubon butterfly garden and insectarium added blue death-feigning beetles, madagascar hissing cockroaches, atlas moths, and two new exhibits to boudreaux's bait shop-one called frogs and one called toads-in 2014in july of 2014, audubon aquatic center staff released a rehabilitated alligator snapping turtle into the mandalay national wildlife refuge in houma after caring for it since 2012. In december, the aquatic center took in 27 cold-stunned kemp's ridley sea turtles for care by audubon nature institute's louisiana marine mammal and sea turtle rescue program. Kemp's ridley sea turtles are among the most endangered of the sea turtles. In january of 2014, audubon launched the restoration of audubon louisiana nature center, a project that will reestablish the eastern new orleans attraction as a treasured green space for family recreation and environmental education. The nature center has remained closed since its forests were severely damaged and its interpretive spaces were destroyed by hurricane katrina. By year-end, flood-damaged buildings were demolished, the fema environmental assessment was completed, and bid drawings for the construction of a new interpretive center, planetarium and boardwalks were completed. Audubon nature institute launched audubon park conservancy, a new effort to raise much-need annual funds to support the daily care and operation of audubon park. Entergy imax theatre brought excitement to the theater's gigantic 5 1/2-story screen with a mix of educational and blockbuster films during the year including kenya 3d: animal kingdom, island of lemurs: madagascar 3d, great white shark 3d, and interstellar. The combined attendance at the zoo, aquarium, imax , and butterfly garden and insectarium totaled 1. 94 million visitors, up 2% from 2013. Revenue from admissions totaled $15. 28 million. Audubon nature institute's program service total for operation and management of all the facilities was $28,484,560 which includes salaries incurred by audubon nature institute employees. These salary costs were reimbursed by a management contract with audubon commission. Audubon looks to the future with optimism, ready to embark on new adventures and meet the challenges ahead.