NATIONAL NEWS
May 24, 2006
An Animal Homecoming
Eight months after Hurricane Katrina, sea otters and penguins are returned to the Audubon Aquarium in New Orleans
 A penguin walks the red carpet as it returns to New Orleans. |
They traveled in a special plane and were greeted to cheers and a performance by a jazz marching band after landing in New Orleans on Monday. Two sea otters and 19 African blackfooted penguins came home eight months after Hurricane Katrina forced them to leave the flooded city.
 |  Photographers and reporters greet one of 19 penguins returning to New Orleans after Katrina. |
The animals spent eight months at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California. The relocated penguins joined 18 other penguins in Monterey. "It was a family reunion when we helped rescue them and brought them out here," said Karen Jeffries, a spokesperson for the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
A Grand Re-Opening
The animals traveled on a plane donated by Federal Express (FedEx). They made it home just in time for the Audubon Aquarium’s re-opening this weekend. FedEx donated $100,000 to the aquarium’s penguin exhibit.
The penguins "seem very happy to be home," said FedEx spokesman, Ryan Furby. "They're swimming around. They seem to be feeling well." Meanwhile, officials in New Orleans are busy with one of the biggest rebuilding projects in United States history.
Mayor Gets a Fresh Start
Last week, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin was re-elected to a second term. He won in a close election against Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu. Nagin received 52.3 percent of the votes.
As mayor, Nagin will oversee rebuilding in the city. "We are ready to take off," he said Saturday during his victory speech. "We have citizens around the country who want to come back to the city of New Orleans, and we're going to get them all back."
