Sip+Dip at Audubon Cool Zoo

It’s hot in the Deep South and sometimes you have to kick the kids out of the pool.

The Audubon Zoo in New Orleans is doing just that on Saturday, July 27, 2019, allowing adults-only after-hours access to its Cool Zoo, which includes the attraction’s splash pad and Gator Run lazy river. The Sip+Dip, which cost $30 per person, involves outdoor games, live entertainment and three complimentary drinks along with two light bite options. Additional drinks and a limited menu will be available for purchase. Tickets are available online.

“Audubon Cool Zoo is known as the hot spot to cool off for children and families during the summer in New Orleans,” said Audubon Nature Institute Vice President of Marketing Katie Smith in a press release. “New this summer, for one night only, we’re transforming it into the perfect oasis for adults to take a dip, sip a cocktail, and enjoy Cool Zoo after hours, opening-up a world of unique experiences for the kid in all of us.”

Cool Zoo splash park includes jumping waterspouts, an alligator water slide, spider monkey soakers and water-spitting snakes. The Gator Run 750-foot, three-feet-deep lazy river rolls by two sand beaches, lounge chairs, four water cannons, two water curtains and jumping jets. It takes approximately seven minutes to make a round trip.

Cool Zoo and Gator Run are located beside the Gottesman Family Endangered Species Carousel inside Audubon Zoo. This after-hours event is exclusively for adults ages 21 and over. 

Watch the Sip + Dip video here.

Catch the buzz: Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium celebrates Chocolate Covered Insect Day

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium Director
of Animals and Visitor Programs Jayme Necaise.

Once again, the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium has grossed us out. But there’s chocolate involved!

On Saturday, Oct. 14, the New Orleans attraction celebrates Chocolate Covered Insect Day, where “executive bug chefs” let guests dip edible critters in a fountain overflowing with melted chocolate and enjoy campfire fudge, tarsal toffee or chocolate “chirp” cookies.

“We’re happy we can offer this unique opportunity to guests,” said Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium Director of Animals and Visitor Programs Jayme Necaise in a press release. “People may not realize this, but the FDA allows 60 or more microscopic insect fragments for each 100 grams of chocolate – so it’s not a huge leap to just go ahead and add the whole bug! Besides, bugs are good for you – they are surprisingly nutritious and a major food source for many people across the globe.”

Hmmmm.

The tastings are included with Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium admission (while supplies last). 

Necaise added, "If guests are lucky, there may even be some leftovers yummies on Sunday.”

Cheré Coen is a food and travel writer who loves a fun Southern story, even bugs.

Bugs that stare back

There’s a new man in town, at the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium of New Orleans. The man-faced stink bugs, otherwise known as Catacanthus incarnates, will have visitors doing a double-take. Their colorful patterns resemble a human face.

"We are excited to have these large and beautiful stink bugs – there’s a phrase you don’t hear every day – to show our guests," said Zack Lemann, Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium’s Curator of Animal Programs. "Only a few zoos or museums in the U.S. have ever imported man-faced bugs up until now."

Man-faced bug nymph "babies" were born from eggs on Dec. 22, 2016, followed by an even larger set on Jan. 3 this year. Man-faced bugs have never been successfully raised in human care, and Audubon is hoping to be the first to do so. 

"It's a huge testament to the expertise of Audubon's entomologists that we could be the first in the world to rear such an incredible insect," said Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute president and CEO. "We hope these rare bugs will act as remarkable ambassador animals to educate our visitors about the diversity of wildlife and the importance of protecting it."

Man-faced bugs range from India east into most of southeast Asia. They are akin to large stink bugs and come in four different colors: red, orange, yellow, and cream. Man-faced bugs produce foul odors for defense like other stink bugs. Also, the bold colors are likely a defense mechanism, warning predators that it is bad-tasting or poisonous.

Wanna see more? Check out this cool video.

Note: Most of the information for this post was derived from an Audubon Institute press release.

Cheré Dastugue Coen is a food and travel writer living in South Louisiana who is the author of several Louisiana romances under the pen name of Cherie Claire and the author of “Forest Hill, Louisiana: A Bloom Town History,” “Haunted Lafayette, Louisiana” and “Exploring Cajun Country” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.” Write her at cherecoen@gmail.com.