On the Cover

Jean and Panya are the elephants in the room that everyone’s talking about. Not only are these Asiatic elephants this month’s star cover models, but they’re also the stars of this year’s Whitney Zoo-To-Do. Proceeds from the Audubon Zoo’s signature event (the biggest non-medical fundraiser in the U.S.), now in its 32nd year, will contribute to the restoration and expansion of Whitney Asian Domain.

The event kicks off with Zoo-To-Do for Kids presented by Humana, Friday, April 24, with chairwoman Kara French promising great family fun. Starting at 5 p.m., patrons get the VIP treatment in the Hospitality Tent, where they will be treated to, among other things, a live cooking demonstration by Clare Crespo.

Then on Friday, May 1, Virginia Rowan serves as chairwoman for the main event. Whitney Zoo-To-Do will start 8:30 p.m. and last until midnight. Be sure to join cover model William A. Oliver, representing patron party sponsor AT&T, at the main event where, in addition to specialty cocktails, dinner from the best local restaurants and entertainment from headliners, there will also be a silent auction in the Tea Room Garden, plus a luxury vehicle raffle sponsored by Lexus of New Orleans.

Zoo-To-Do is sure to be a ton – or six tons, if you count Jean and Panya – of fun. For information, tickets and raffle tickets, call 861-6160 or visit AudubonInstitute.org.  

Photograph by Jeff Strout

Photographed on location at the Whitney Asian Domain and elephant exhibit

Special thanks to Ann Heslin for her always amazing assistance, to Jean and Panya for being so accommodating, to Liberto’s Dry Cleaners for fixing Kara French’s dress overnight and to all of the employees at Audubon Zoo that not only helped us and encouraged us to explore, but also make every day at the zoo an educational and entertaining experience.

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