New York Aquarium seeks emergency help

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NEW YORK, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The New York Aquarium in Coney Island, Brooklyn, is asking for emergency donations after it was battered by Hurricane Sandy this week.

"All 14 acres of the New York Aquarium were overtaken by surge waters during the storm, creating significant and long-lasting damage throughout the park," an email message to supporters of the Wildlife Conservation Society said Friday.

"Even as the floodwaters rose, our valiant staff worked tirelessly at the aquarium caring for our animals, including our newest member, Mitik, the orphaned walrus calf," the message said. "But it will be months before we can reopen our doors. With a lengthy list of repairs before us, there's no doubt we'll need additional financial help to get the New York Aquarium back on its feet."

Donations to the aquarium are tax-deductible.

None of the Wildlife Conservation Society's four zoos experienced serious damage. The Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, Central Park Zoo in Manhattan and Queens Zoo have reopened and the Bronx Zoo is to reopen Saturday.