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Water world: Photos of the animals in the flooded New York Aquarium

As these images illustrate, flood waters from superstorm Sandy left the New York Aquarium’s 14-acre facility in Coney Island virtually underwater. Recent arrival Mitik the walrus made it through safely, but aquarium staff members are still working to protect the rest of the animals and fish, whose habitats require complex filtration systems and temperature control.Story: Walruses on the move? Aq
During the storm, 18 aquarium staff members cared for marine animals with temporary life support systems.
During the storm, 18 aquarium staff members cared for marine animals with temporary life support systems.Julie Larsen Maher/WCS
Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the New York Aquarium, surveys the sea lion exhibit while wading through water.
Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the New York Aquarium, surveys the sea lion exhibit while wading through water.Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

As these images illustrate, flood waters from superstorm Sandy left the New York Aquarium’s 14-acre facility in Coney Island virtually underwater. Recent arrival Mitik the walrus made it through safely, but aquarium staff members are still working to protect the rest of the animals and fish, whose habitats require complex filtration systems and temperature control.

Story: Walruses on the move? Aquarium animals in Sandy's path may need new homes

Power was restored to all of the exhibits by Friday evening, the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the aquarium and the Bronx and Central Park zoos, said in an update. They said salt water from the surge caused extensive damage to the equipment, which made the restoration effort even more challenging. Earlier, the society had announced that two of the aquarium’s main exhibit buildings — Glover’s Reef and Conservation Hall — had electricity.  

While there had been some losses to the aquarium's fish collection, most in one exhibit tank, the rest of the exhibits and the fish in them are doing well. There are no immediate plans to relocate any of the aquarium's marine animals, the society said, assuming the aquarium is able to maintain generator power. 

Staff members have been pumping water out of the aquarium's flooded areas around the clock.
Staff members have been pumping water out of the aquarium's flooded areas around the clock.Julie Larsen Maher/WCS
During the storm, 18 aquarium staff members cared for marine animals with temporary life support systems.
During the storm, 18 aquarium staff members cared for marine animals with temporary life support systems.Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

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