Audubon Zoo

Fountain Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana
Fountain in the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans.

Overall Rating
4 Paws out of 5 Paws The Zoo Review

The Audubon Zoo is located in New Orleans, LA. The Zoo was founded in 1914 and is 58 acres. The Zoo is home to approx.  2,000+ animals. The Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and participates in the Species Survival Plan. The Audubon Zoo is also partnered with the Audubon Aquarium. The Aquarium is located in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana.

Audubon Zoo Website: www.audubonnatureinsitute.org/zoo

American River Otters Audubon Zoo
This North American River Otter snuggle fest is at the Audubon Zoo in the Louisiana section of the zoo.

Hours:
Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 10:00am-6:00pm
Ticket Pricing:
Zoo Tickets:
Adult (13-64)-$22.95
Seniors (65+)-$19.95
Kids (2-12)-$17.95
Audubon Experience:
Includes Admission to:
Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Butterfly Garden, and the Audubon Insectarium.
This ticket also includes 1 Theater movie valid on same day admission to the Aquarium.
Adults (13-64)-$44.95
Seniors (65+)-$37.95
Kids (2-12)-$ 34.95
Aquarium/Zoo Ticket:
Adults (13-64)-$39.95
Seniors (65+)-$32.95
Kids (2-12)-$29.95
Parking:
Zoo: Free
Aquarium: Paid Lots
Pet Daycare:
No Pet Daycare available.
Service Animals are Welcome.
With any extra service provided I would always call ahead for any information.
Restaurants:
There are 4 restaurants available spread throughout the zoo. There are also multiple (seasonal) concessions available.

Chinese Crocodile Lizard Audubon Zoo
This little cutie is a Chinese Crocodile Lizard found in the herpetarium building at the Audubon Zoo.

Animal Habitats
5 Paws out of 5 Paws The Zoo Review
Education
4 Paws out of 5 Paws The Zoo Review
Cultural Immersion
4 Paws out of 5 Paws The Zoo Review
Navigation
4 Paws out of 5 Paws The Zoo Review
Food Variety
5 Paws out of 5 Paws The Zoo Review

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Our Zoo Experience

The Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is an awesome zoo to visit. We were there the entire day and took our time to see everything. I would recommend getting there when the zoo opens at 10am so you can take your time and really take in and enjoy the zoo.

When we got there we started in with the Asian exhibits. It was awesome to see some species for the first time.

Asia exhibit Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

There is a pair of Amur Leopards which are extremely endangered. The zoo has a great habitat for these two Leopards. They were showing off for the camera.

Amur Leopard Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

When we left the Leopards we followed the path around to the right. We saw a Sun Bear. Very cute and tiny in size compared to other species. The Sun Bear is also referred to as the Honey Bear because of its love of honeycomb and honey.

Malayan Sun Bear Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

They have some exhibits of co-habitation. They have Asian Small-Clawed Otters living with Babirusa (think Asian deer pig). The zoo did an outstanding job at transporting you to Asia with their cultural immersion.

Babirusa & Small-clawed Otter Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

Next to the Babirusas and Small-clawed Otter habitat is the Malayan Tiger habitat. Across from the Malayan Tiger is the Barasingha, also known as Swamp Deer found in India.

Barasingha Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

After we left Asia we traveled to South America. The South American animals Capybara, Greater Rhea, Guanaco, and Lowland (Brazilian) Tapir were a bit hard to see as they were across a small pond.

The Primate Trail, where most if not all the primates live, is really nice. The Siamang’s have a beautiful island in the middle of a crystal clear pond.

Siamang habitat Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

The Western Lowland Gorillas have a huge habitat with lots of great enrichment for them.

Western Lowland Gorilla habitat Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

As did the Mandrills, they have a great space to move around in and everybody was happy especially with the morning sun.

From the Primate Trail we entered the Jaguar Jungle. The zoo was working on making this exhibit bigger and better when we were visiting in January 2017. Hopefully it has been completed by now and people are experiencing an awesome exhibit.

Jaguar Jungle Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

In the Jaguar Jungle the first exhibit you come to is the Spider Monkeys. They have their own little island with swinging ropes to play on. It is really neat.

Spider Monkey Island Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

Next you will come to what was maybe my favorite part, the Jaguar habitat. This beautiful Jaguar was peacefully sunbathing while we were there.

In the Jaguar Jungle you will also encounter Sloth, Anteater, and Agouti. A little ways down the trail we came upon a Mayan dig site. Here kids can dig for Mayan artifacts like little archeologists. It is also a nice place to sit and have a relaxing break.

St. Vincent Agouti Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana
Mayan Dig Site Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

After leaving South America we found ourselves on a trail to the Louisiana Swamp. Here you will encounter Red and Gray Foxes, two very sweet Bobcats, a giant American Alligator, a snuggle fest of North American River Otters, Mountain Lions, Nutria (invasive cousin of the beaver), and North American Black Bear.

Red Fox Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

They also have the Cypress Knee Café where we sampled some great Louisiana cuisine. I recommend the catfish.

In the Louisiana Swamp gift shop is a tank full of baby Alligators. There is also an exhibit of the skulls of the different types of crocodilian species. It is a really good educational area in the swamp. Make sure to get plenty of pictures of the adorable Otters.

North American River Otter Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

Once you leave the Louisiana Swamp you will enter the African Plains where you will find Giraffe, Zebra, Rhino, Gazelle, and African Painted Dogs.

Masi Giraffe Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

Be sure to spend some time with the Painted Dogs. They do not make normal dog sounds. It was fascinating to hear their squeak and whistle vocalizations.

Once you have made your way through and out of Africa you will encounter the Sea Lion habitat and the herpetarium. If you like reptiles and amphibians the herpetarium is the place to be.

Eastern Green Mamba Herpetarium Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana
Mang Mountain Viper Herpetarium Audubon Zoo New Orleans Louisiana

Overall a very cool and immersive zoo to visit. You will learn a lot about each species represented at the Audubon Zoo.