Dear Colleagues,

First and foremost, on behalf of the Audubon Nature Institute – the Audubon Zoo,
the Aquarium of the Americas,
the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species and their staff - let me
thank you for the calls, the e-mails
and the generous offers of help. I am so proud to be a part of the AZA zoo and
aquarium community that works
together, plays together and comes together to support one another in times of
crisis. This is indeed one of the most
devastating crises to faced by our community in many, many years.

As noted in Kris Vehrs’ update on 1 September, we know that the Audubon Zoo crew
are doing okay and are in good
spirits. Ron Forman is in the city, and is coordinating zoo and aquarium
security with the New Orleans police and
fire departments. As we get new information, we will be continuing to pass it on
to you, as well as posting updates
on the AZA website.

I need your help and understanding. We are all anxious to provide assistance,
but we cannot lose sight of the fact
that New Orleans is an extremely dangerous place to be right now. The decision
makers are on the ground and aware
of all your offers of help. That said we must respect the fact that Ron and his
staff are on the ground and operating
with the best perspective and information. IN ADDITION, INDIVIDUALS SHOULD NOT
ACT ON THEIR OWN BUT COORDINATE THROUGH AZA TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY.

Getting assistance to our colleagues is problematic at this time due to
emergency restrictions; however, we are
preparing our plan and will be ready with immediate assistance when supply
routes are open. There are also
many of us who are trying to reach those with ultimate authority who can perhaps
ease restrictions, allowing
supplies to be brought to staff and animals both. We are in direct contact with
Dr. Betsy Dresser and beginning to
coordinate plans for getting supplies to ACRES and the Aquarium of the Americas.
We will let you know, as we need
your assistance.

The Houston and Baton Rouge Zoos will be coordinating the physical efforts for
the Zoo once we can get access to New
Orleans. Rick Barongi and Phil Frost and their teams are busy with coordination
and they ask you to call AZA with
offers of help. If you want to help in any way, please e- mail Luisa Debuque at
AZA at Ldebuque@.... You will be
contacted as needs are determined and mobilization plans are set. PLEASE DO NOT
CALL HOUSTON ZOO OR BATON ROUGE ZOO WITH OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE.

We do have one very exciting new development. To further aid Audubon Nature
Institute, its employees and their
families, I have asked Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Kevin Bell to
spearhead a fund-raising initiative to assist
our colleagues in New Orleans as they move beyond this tragedy and begin to
rebuild their homes, their lives and
the wonderful facilities of the Audubon Nature Institute. Kevin Bell has agreed,
and I thank him and his staff for
taking on this great need.

You will be hearing from Kevin later today with more specifics about the
initiative and how your can involve
your institution and provide the public that may contact you an avenue to help
in this important relief effort.

The Executive Committee of the AZA Board of Directors will handle the
distribution of these funds.

In addition, we are also establishing a mechanism for helping displaced Audubon
Nature Institute staff obtain
jobs and temporary housing. You will be hearing additional information as things
are put into place.

For those of you who have planned to participate in AZA’s Annual Conference in
Chicago later this month – I ask that
you do come and join us. We are a caring family of people committed to advancing
science and research, to educating
everyone who walks through our doors and to encouraging our visitors to have fun
while exploring the natural world. It
is important that we come together, stay connected and support one another
during these challenging times. We can
do so most effectively if we come together and work together.

Thank you again for the overwhelming displays of generosity you have shown for
our colleagues. It is not a surprise,
but continues to be very meaningful.

Sincerely,

Bill Foster
AZA President




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