Tagged: animals

In his State of the City Address last week, Mayor Mitch Landrieu praised the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission for the growth of this year’s summer youth programs, which include 33 youth camps, seven teen camps and an expanded summer jobs program. For parents and guardians seeking something a bit more rural, it’s also possible — and right within New Orleans city limits.

Located in the northernmost reaches of City Park, Equest Farm is straight out of a Laura Ingalls Wilder novel. 

A 33-pound monkey escaped its enclosure at the Audubon Zoo Friday morning, prompting an hour-long shutdown of the facility while zookeepers wrangled the animal back into captivity and made sure the area was safe.

The monkey, an 11-year-old black-and-white African Colobus named Kivuli, was spotted on the loose at about 10:17 a.m. Zoo officials ushered park-goers indoors and shut the gates of the facility, according to Audubon spokespeople and eyewitnesses.

Kivuli is a Swahili word meaning "Ghost." The monkey was born on Halloween, according to the zoo.

The Ascension Parish Animal Control Center could be closed if parish officials determine they can't continue to swallow $177,000 in deficit costs each year.

The Advocate reports that the parish operates the control center with a six-person staff on call 24 hours a day to pick up aggressive and injured animals. The shelter also accepts animals brought in by residents of Ascension and St. James parishes.

The Ascension Parish Council's Strategic Planning Committee is considering whether to continue funding the shelter.