"The Koi, the Koi" exclaimed a visitor to the Japanese Friendship Garden who immediately pulled out her camera to capture the exotic fish swimming in the pond.
Last October, 22 Koi were killed by chlorine poisoning after the filtration system failed and allowed untreated tap water to flow into the pond burning their gills. A gardener discovered the fish floating at the surface. Only one Koi managed to survive.
The Garden, located near the Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park, and its visitors were devastated. The collection had been acquired over the years and each Koi was valued at $800 to $3500.
The prize collection featured one fish that was 15 years old. What's unique is that the fish don't just swim around; each one "had its own distinct personality and character. The friendlier ones like to be rubbed and petted" according to Luanne Kanzawa, executive director of the Garden.
But now the Koi are back. A recent fundraiser managed to raise enough funds to purchase 16 new Koi which experts say are even better quality than the others. They are 2 to 4 years old.
"It was really heart warming to be shown the affection, concern, and care from the community and people from all over", said the Garden's Teruaki Murashige.
For more information about the Koi and Garden hours click on : The Japanese Friendship Garden
