The Indianapolis Zoo is a nationally accredited nonprofit zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden in White River State Park, dedicated to protecting nature and inspiring conservation through world-class animal exhibits and educational programs.
The Indianapolis Zoo is a remarkable institution that stands at the intersection of wildlife conservation, education, and family entertainment, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its stunning campus in White River State Park. As one of the few facilities in the world to hold simultaneous accreditation as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Alliance of Museums, the Indianapolis Zoo represents the gold standard in animal care, conservation science, and visitor experience.
Uniquely among major American zoos, the Indianapolis Zoo operates entirely without government support, relying on the generosity of donors, members, and visitors to fund its mission of protecting nature and inspiring people to care for our world. This independence has fostered a culture of innovation and excellence that permeates every aspect of the Zoo’s operations.
The Zoo’s animal collection spans the globe, featuring exhibits dedicated to dolphins, sharks, and other marine life in the Oceans dome; majestic African elephants in the Elephants of the World exhibit; and a diverse array of primates, big cats, bears, and birds throughout the grounds. The White River Gardens, a botanical attraction that opened in 1999, adds another dimension to the visitor experience with over 16,000 plants, a glass-enclosed conservatory, outdoor design gardens, and a Family Nature Center.
The Indianapolis Zoo is also home to the Global Center for Species Survival and the Polly Horton Hix Institute for Research and Conservation, both dedicated to advancing global conservation efforts. The Indianapolis Prize, established in 2006 and awarded biennially, recognizes the world’s most extraordinary animal conservationists, further cementing the Zoo’s position as a global leader in wildlife conservation. With its extraordinary combination of world-class exhibits, conservation mission, and educational programming, the Indianapolis Zoo offers an experience that is both deeply entertaining and profoundly meaningful.
