See the Creatures of the Night at the Audubon Zoo

Bats and alpacas at the Central America-themed Jaguar Jungle exhibit at the Audubon Zoo on Friday, March 23, 2018. (Photo by Chris Granger, | The Times-Picayune)(Photo by Chris Granger, | The Times-Picayune)


In April 1998, the Jaguar Jungle opened at the Audubon Zoo, setting new standards for authenticity and cultural interpretation for zoos. It offered visitors the feel of discovering the mysterious world of the Mayas, from the altars and temples to gigantic bamboo and luscious greenery, colorful tropical plants of the rain forest and the unique animals typical of that region.

Twenty years later, the Jaguar Jungle has expanded with a new nocturnal house, "Criaturas de la Noche" (Creatures of the Night) Bat House, that made its debut March 23, next to a herd of five female Alpaca, a domesticated South American species similar to llamas, that roam inside another new exhibit next to the spacious Maya Village.

Inside the Bat House, visitors can get a glimpse of a jungle teeming with life after nightfall as they gaze into a 42-foot, transparent flyway filled with more than 200 Seba's short-tailed bats. They can get a close-up look at other animals that thrive in the dark, such as vampire bats, ringtail cats, red-eyed tree frogs, giant cave roaches, Anthony's poison arrow frogs, Costa Rican zebra tarantulas and engaging douroucouli – also known as Nancy Ma's night owl monkeys.

Interestingly, bats in pre-Columbian cultures were not associated with evil. They were believed to be powerful creatures, spirits and even gods. Mayans of Central America believed the bat was the guardian of the underworld and a powerful force against enemies.

Visitors can also enjoy viewing elusive jaguars as they stalk their glass-fronted exhibit in the Jaguar Jungle and learning about the jaguars, the most sacred animals of Mayan lore and their environment, as well as immerse in the cultures of the verdant jungles and rainforests of South America with the recreated ruins.

"The expanded Jaguar Jungle builds on my grandmother's dream", said Stephanie Feoli, Doris Stone's granddaughter and a former Audubon board member.

"Doris envisioned an exhibit that highlights iconic animals and artifacts while depicting the modern Maya who inhabit Latin America today. She felt their survival and cultural vitality should be a central Jaguar Jungle theme,'' Feoli said.

The new nocturnal house is themed along the lines of a large base site supporting biologists and archaeologists conducting archaeological digs nearby. The interior is outfitted with barrels, rakes, shovels and artifacts.

Other new features include the addition of Maya artifacts, a new children's play area featuring a climbing structure, space for education and cultural presentations and new restrooms.

The ancient Maya were skilled farmers and developed the science of astronomy, calendar systems and hieroglyphic writing. Mayans also were known for their elaborate ceremonial architecture, including pyramids, temples and palaces - all built without metal tools. Maya symbols, including those for jaguars, fish and bats, are found everywhere in the expanded exhibit.

An original feature, a dig site where young archaeologists can unearth treasures, remains along with Jaguar Jungle favorites: the giant anteaters, spider monkeys, macaws, Brazilian ocelots and of course, endangered jaguars.

"Criaturas de la Noche" was made possible in part by the support of Pan-American Life Insurance Group.

The Feolis, who were born in Costa Rica and both have masters' degrees from Tulane University, have been great supporters of the Zoo and Stephanie is the chairperson of the 2018 Whitney Zoo-To-Do, the annual fundraiser at the site, that this year will take place on the evening of Friday, May 4th.

For more information on sponsorships or tickets to the Whitney Zoo-To-Do, call 504.861.5374

SUBHEAD Evenings with Enrique

"Evenings with Enrique" is a Concert Series in City Park's Botanical Gardens that takes place every Wednesday evening in April, from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring local musicians playing among the collection of 14 sculptures by the famed Mexican-American artist Enrique Alferez, who lived in New Orleans. The series is sponsored by the Helis Foundation.

Guests can purchase mojitos and Latin food. Guatemalan guitarists and singers Julio and Cesar performed April 4. Guitarist and singer Raphael Bas from France will perform Wednesday, April 11. On April 18, Honduran composer, singer and guitarist Paky Saavedra will be performing and finally, it will be Venezuelan Manny Arteaga, who is also a composer, singer and plays the guitar, who will be entertaining the audience April 25