Residents need not worry about dangerous animals prowling through the wreckage of the city, he said, stressing that all were accounted for except for the single errant alligator.
"We were very fortunate," said Maloney, who weathered the storm and its aftermath in the Audubon Zoo, home to some 1,500 animals representing over 350 species from around the world.
Because it is built on high ground, the zoo avoided flooding and the fatalities were minimal in a city where the human death toll is thought to have reached several thousand.
"We lost a pair of young river otters," said Maloney evidently upset over the loss of life.
Some animals went missing after the storm and flooding hit Monday, Aug. 29, but most returned to the safety of the zoo, including a black vulture that was found happily munching on cattle egrets.
"We also had a flamingo that was traumatized. We thought he would die but he has returned to the flock. I'm sure the alligator will return too," said Maloney.
The giraffes were apparently a little upset at the water rationing imposed as the city utilities fell victim to the deadly storm.
Calling out "come here sweetie, sweetie," Maloney held out a bucket of extra water for the four animals, which timidly approached with what seemed liked a dazed look, retreating a few steps at first but eventually lapping up the drink.
The big cats were kept well fed. "We invite journalists in, lock the gates and then they are never heard of again," he joked.
In fact the lions and other fierce felines had bellies full of meat thanks to a two-week supply kept in massive freezers powered by generators.
