Throwing It Back to the 70s To Celebrate Our CEO

Menari

Orangutans at Audubon Zoo, a facility of Audubon Nature Institute. New Orleans, LA.
Flamingo 3-12.21.22

Caribbean Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber Audubon Zoo December 21, 2022 Photo by PJ Hahn
Bobcat Kittens 3.14.24

Bobcat Kittens Chinchuba (left) and Creole (right) Louisiana Swamp Exhibit Audubon Zoo March 14, 2024
Spider Monkey 10.31.06-15

Spider Monkey Jaguar Jungle Audubon Zoo October 31, 2006
Elephant Fountain 10.11.22-2
Macaw 5.30.24-2

On Saturday, August 17, 2024, tickets to the Audubon Zoo will have special throwback prices to celebrate the 52-year tenure of our President and CEO, Ron Forman. Zoo tickets for adults and children that day will be just $19.72 in honor of the year Forman started at Audubon Zoo.

Forman was appointed to work at the Zoo by then-Mayor Moon Landrieu. Lots has changed since then when the Zoo was considered an “animal ghetto” to the award-winning world class Zoo it is now.

Wondering what life was like back in 1972?

· First Jazz and Heritage Festival at the Fairgrounds

· Don McLean’s “American Pie” encouraged people to drive their Chevys to the levee

· Archie Manning was the Saints quarterback

· “The Godfather” movie was in theaters

· “All in the Family” and “Sanford & Son” were top TV shows

· Watergate break-in happened

· NASA’s Space Shuttle Program officially launched

· Oakland A’s won the World Series

· Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl

· U.S. Swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals in the Summer Olympics in Munich

· Gas cost 55 cents per gallon

And in New Orleans, a young man named Ron Forman was appointed to a new post at Audubon Zoo! Since then, he has overseen the remarkable transformation of the Zoo, the creation of Audubon Nature Institute, and the development of its nine parks and attractions including Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center and Woldenberg Riverfront Park.

Zoo guests on August 17 are encouraged to practice their disco dance moves, don their favorite bell bottoms, flower power, peace signs and other 70s threads and enjoy a day at the Zoo while helping us celebrate Forman’s long tenure and commitment that has helped make Audubon Zoo one of best in the country.

Admission to Cool Zoo is $10 for members, $13 for non-members. Cool Zoo is open weekends only through Labor Day, when it closes for the season.