Scoop: Audubon Zoo is selling its exotic animal carousel
Audubon Zoo 's carousel is on the auction block.
Why it matters: The beloved attraction ain't dere no more.
The big picture: Hurricane Ida damaged the carousel in 2021, and the "cost was astronomical to fix it and put it back where it was," Audubon spokesperson Melissa Lee tells Axios.
The zoo opted to sell the carousel and replace it with a smaller, indoor version in the same place, she said.
Catch up quick: The attraction, officially named the Gottesman Family Endangered Species Carousel, has alligators, flamingos, elephants, giraffes, frogs, lions and other endangered animals to ride instead of horses.
It had been there since 2003.
Zoom in: The current bid for the old carousel is $225,000 on GovDeals.com. The auction closes Friday.
The listing includes 60 animals.
What's next: Audubon will build an enclosure for the new carousel to keep it out of the elements, Lee said, similar to the ones at City Park and Lafreniere Park.
Work is expected to begin later this year.
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