Rare Australian Sea Dragons, Cousins to the Seahorse were one of the few to survive Hurricane Katrina at the New Orleans Aquarium of the Americas

After hurricane Katrina hit most of the Aquariums 10,000 fish did not survive. Since the power was knocked out most of the water became no longer habitable for most of the fish and other creatures that the Aquarium had in exhibits. One of the few survivors along with 19 penguins, sea otters and Midas the turtle were the rare Australian Sea Dragons, a close related cousin to the Seahorse.

“The survival of the rare, leafy and weedy sea dragons from Australia surprised the aquarium staff, who did not think the dragons - cousins to the seahorse - could survive "even a minor fluctuation in the temperature of their water," Lee said.” (CNN)

"It was very surprising for everyone and also a big rallying point for our staff," Lee said. "We had staff who stayed through the storm and have been there stabilizing the animals and the collection and getting them ready to move out." (CNN)

Not only were the staff of the Aquarium helping to save the animals but also the New Orleans Police and the National Guardsmen helping to save lives of the animals.

"Even when our staff had to be evacuated out for our own safety, the police officers were able to stay back and get food to those animals and keep a good number of them alive." (CNN)

The surviving zoo animals were taken to Houston, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as well as Dallas, Texas and to Monterey Bay Aquarium, in California according to source from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

The American Zoo and Aquarium Association have organized a fund-raising initiative, headed by the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois, to provide help for the animals in need.