Once a year, the grounds of the Audubon Nature Institute’s Audubon Zoo turn into a bedazzling, bedecked and beloved space for the annual Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do. This year’s soirée celebrated Audubon Zoo’s conservation efforts and the upcoming expansion of its spider monkey habitat. (A spider monkey graced the cover of the invitation, as well.)

From the moment guests arrived, there was entertainment with Geovane Santos Duo at the Lupin Arrival Plaza (front gate); Jose Fermin and Merengue4-Four at the Miriam Walmsley Cooper Plaza; and at the Capital One Stage, Vivaz was the opening act, followed by headliner The Phunky Monkeys. Also spread throughout were food and cocktails from more than 50 New Orleans favorites, including Creole Creamery, Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and Restaurant and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Tempting wallets and budgets were the deluxe silent auction, the luxury vehicle raffle of a 2023 Lexus NX250 and a Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry Pick-A-Present jewelry pull.

Of course, the younger set has its own festive fête with the Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Children’s Hospital New Orleans on a different day.

2023 marked the 45th Zoo-To-Do, while it was the 34th year of Zoo-To-Do for Kids.

Zoo-To-Do chair was Mathilde Currence; Zoo-To-Do for Kids chair was Meg Baldwin; and Audubon Nature Institute CEO is L. Ron Forman. This year’s honorary chairmen were Gov. and Mrs. John Bel Edwards, Mayor Latoya Cantrell, Mr. and Mrs. Tanner D. Magee, Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Leger III, Mrs. Lindsey Casey, Mrs. Lindsey Wands, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel O. Conwill IV and Mr. and Mrs. Chris Bardell.

Fun Fact

Audubon Nature Institute re-opened the Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Insectarium in a re-imagined, state-of-the-art facility. Scales & Ales will return to the downtown campus on Oct. 6 after a four-year hiatus.

Hancock Whitney Zoo-To-Do