

Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the WCS New York Aquarium, surveying a sea lion exhibit while walking through flood waters. Photo by Julie Larsen Maher of WCS

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today released pictures showing damage caused earlier this week at the New York Aquarium by Hurricane Sandy. The photos show extensive flooding in parts of the aquarium, which is located on the Coney Island boardwalk and is run by WCS.

The conservation group says it is “making progress restoring life support systems to our aquatic exhibits throughout the WCS New York Aquarium” but that it may need to temporarily relocate some of the animals.

“Using generator power, we are making progress restoring life support systems to our aquatic exhibits throughout the WCS New York Aquarium,” WCS said in an emailed statement. “We have restored power to two of our main exhibit buildings — Glover’s Reef and Conservation Hall.”

“However, we still have areas that we have not been able to fully assess as to when we can get them back on line. We are facing a critical period when we will have to decide if we are going to move some of our animals. We are still working around the clock to accomplish what we need to do.”



Flood damage at the New York Aquarium on Nov 1, 2012 following Sandy. Photos by Julie Larsen Maher of WCS

WCS says that some of the aquarium’s best known inhabitants, including an orphaned rescue walrus named Mitik, various adult walruses, sharks, penguins, sea turtles, and sea lions, “did well” in the storm. The fish collection also weathered the storm.

WCS credited its staff for keeping life support systems in place during the storm, which devastated parts of New York and New Jersey.

“We have been able to maintain temporary life support on our tanks and exhibits since we lost power when the storm hit. This was made possible by the extraordinary effort put forth by the team of professionals we have at the New York Aquarium, led by its Director, Jon Dohlin. Our veterinarians have been working with the animal care staff to ensure the health and well-being of all our animals.”



Flood damage at the New York Aquarium on Nov 1, 2012 following Sandy. Photos by Julie Larsen Maher of WCS

WCS said in an earlier statement that the aquarium will remain closed “indefinitely”.

“Once the situation for our animals has been stabilized and resolved, we will continue with the detailed assessment needed to determine when the aquarium will reopen.”

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