Audubon Zoo's Whooping Crane Legacy
In the 1950's, Audubon Zoo became the first zoo to successfully breed whooping cranes. The only previous captive birth was at a Texas wildlife refuge. That chick's mother, Josephine, hailed from Audubon Zoo.
One of only two remaining cranes from a southwest Louisiana flock, Josephine was brought here in 1940 by federal wildlife agents. She was sent to Texas in 1948 but returned to Audubon three years later with her mate, Crip. The pair produced two chicks in 1956, and another the following year.
Josephine died in 1965, a victim of stress in the wake of Hurricane Betsy. Crip was sent to the San Antonio Zoo. Their three offspring, all males, remained at Audubon Zoo until the 1970s.
Josephine and her flock made a lasting impression on Audubon. The Zoo used a stylized whooping crane in its logo for many years after Josephine had passed on.
Today, Audubon Nature Institute continues their conservation efforts in partnership with San Diego Zoo, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Chevron to save whooping cranes from extinction. Programs such as the Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife help ensure sustainable populations of endangered species by developing successful breeding and husbandry protocols.
Erected by Chevron, Alliance for Sustainable Wildlife, Louisiana Wildlife
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 29° 55.384′ N, 90° 7.898′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. It is in Audubon. Marker can be reached from Magazine Street. Located in Audubon Zoo. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans LA 70118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boré Plantation - Audubon Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Audubon Zoo (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trenasse Cutter (approx. ¼ mile away); Swamp People (approx. ¼ mile away); The Original Teddy Bear (approx. ¼ mile away); Audubon Park History (approx. ¼ mile away); The Flood of 1927 (approx. ¼ mile away); Classic Designs (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.
More about this marker. Located on left just after entering Zoo, at Whooping Crane display.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 465 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 8, 2018.
