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June
2021
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Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium Win Top Spots in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

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  • Orangutans
  • Penguins
    More than 20 African Penguins, ranging in ages, make up the penguin colony at Audubon Aquarium.
  • Aquarium Exterior
    3.17.15 Aquarium
  • Elephant
  • Audubon Zoo
  • Alligator Training
    Alligator training photographed Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Trainers work with “Tchompatoulas”, an adult white alligator, on target training. If the alligator correctly executes the movements they have been trained to do, they receive a reward of food. The white coloring of the gator is a result of leucism, a genetic abnormality similar to albinism.
  • Sea otter
  • Jellyfish
    Jellyfish photographed at Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on November 2, 2017.
  • Sun Bear
  • Spider Monkey

The votes are in and Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas are winners of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Award contest. 

The Zoo ranked 7th and the Aquarium ranked 6th. The 20 nominees were hand-picked by a panel of travel experts, and nearly all are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. 

“We’re thrilled to be honored by the most meaningful judges we could ask for—our guests,” said Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman. “We believe that every person who comes through our gates has the power to impact the natural world for the better, and we are committed to engaging and educating them about the wonders of nature and encouraging them to take action to protect them.” 

Follow the below links for the full list of winners! 

Note from USA TODAY 10Best:  

"Someday, we'll all be ready to pack our suitcases again and head out on our next adventures. In the meantime, we'll keep supporting the places that inspire us." 

"Aquariums put us face to fin with aquatic life from the world's oceans, lakes, and waterways in a fun and educational setting. The best aquariums also play a vital role in animal conservation by taking part in rescue efforts and advocating for the environmental health of our oceans." 

"North America is home to hundreds of zoological parks, including more than 200 facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Short of heading out into the world's wild places, nothing beats a visit to the zoo to foster an appreciation for the striking animal diversity of our planet. We asked a panel of travel experts to nominate their favorite North American AZA-accredited zoos—facilities that excel in the fields of animal care and enrichment, while also facilitating meaningful interactions between animals and human visitors." 

Audubon Nature Institute

Audubon Nature Institute operates a family of museums, parks and research facilities dedicated to celebrating the wonders of nature. Through innovative live animal exhibits, education programs, and scientific discovery, Audubon makes a meaningful contribution to preserving wildlife for the future. Audubon Nature Institute flagships include Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and Audubon Wilderness Park. Ron Forman is President and CEO of Audubon Nature Institute.