Without full power, N.Y. aquarium considers evacuation

Unless power is restored soon, New York's flooded Coney Island aquarium says it may have to relocate 12,000 creatures, including walruses, sharks, sea turtles, penguins and a giant octopus.

No time frame was announced for a possible evacuation to other institutions, a spokeswoman for the Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the nation's oldest, continuously operating aquarium, told Crain's New York Business.

"We are at a very critical period," she said.

Hurricane Sandy sent the Atlantic Ocean crashing over the famous Brooklyn boardwalk and caused serious flooding to the aquarium, which is now closed indefinitely. Crews are working to restore filtration and other life-support systems.

If they can't be re-established permanently, Crain's said, it is not clear where exactly the sealife would go or for how long.

The spokeswoman did not know whether any of the more than 300 species on exhibit had died. A rescued walrus pup named Mitik, which arrived from Alaska in September, did survive.

The aquarium provided cable station NY1 with some photos of the flood damage.

Along the ravaged Jersey Shore, residents responded to an SOS from Jenkinson's Aquarium for gasoline and batteries to help keep its 1,800 sea creatures alive until power is restored, the Asbury Park Press reports.

"We understand everybody is in desperate need, but we would be extremely grateful if anybody has gas and D batteries," said spokesman Toby Wolf, who noted that the staff is working round-the-clock. Members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums are standing by to help.

Among the 300 species at the privately owned facility, located on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, are Atlantic sharks, Pacific sharks, coral reefs, penguins, alligators and seals.