Louisville Zoo director recalls efforts to save animals during Hurricane Katrina

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Thousands of first responders and military troops came to New Orleans in 2005 to save not only as many people as they could, but also animals left to fend for themselves. On the 20th anniversary of the catastrophic storm, a familiar face in Louisville is recalling his memories of Hurricane Katrina.

Dan Maloney, executive director of the Louisville Zoo, was head of the New Orleans Audubon Zoo when Katrina hit.

He said the Audubon Zoo’s location on high ground saved it from widespread flooding that devastated much of the French Quarter.

Maloney and 14 other staff members never left. Instead, they rode out the storm at the zoo to protect the animals.

But the team also had to take shelter in a much different setting.

“We hunkered down in a reptile house,” Maloney