Indianapolis Zoo Indianapolis Zoo News

I might visit this Sunday, so I'll take some photos of the new exhibit. Also the zoo welcomed a new Bald Eagle named Lincoln, and a Golden Eagle named Stewart who both came from the Great Plains Zoo and now are exhibited together.
Replacing the Turkey Vulture?
 
There is a lot of empty and unused area down the middle of the zoo, I really wish the layout was better. However, I think that some things could be rearranged and maybe the chimpanzee exhibit could be near the Forest area?
 
upload_2021-5-27_15-41-16.png

I believe the holding area for the chimps is one of the buildings back behind the tembo camp area of the plains section.

Some options for where the Chimpanzee center could go is to replace the rides (Pretty unlikely) or place it in the forest. Looking at the park map and the satellite image, there seems to be enough area here. There is a lemur exhibit and building, but I feel like that could easily be moved, and it could even stay there as the chimp exhibit may not need to take up the whole space.
upload_2021-5-27_15-31-14.png

In my opinion, this is probably the best location. It somewhat disrupts the lemur exhibit, but the exhibit wasn't anything too spectacular and can be moved. Anywhere else in the zoo seems to be filled and mean the removal of restaurants and buildings.
upload_2021-5-27_15-36-37.png


This area also works well with the Forest theme, and can round that area of the zoo much more nicely as it always feels a bit lacking. It can also be a big building in the middle of the zoo, similar to the orangutan center. Hopefully this one will go with a much more natural feel, though...:confused:
 

Attachments

  • upload_2021-5-27_15-31-14.png
    upload_2021-5-27_15-31-14.png
    950.4 KB · Views: 50
  • upload_2021-5-27_15-31-35.png
    upload_2021-5-27_15-31-35.png
    428.9 KB · Views: 3
  • upload_2021-5-27_15-36-37.png
    upload_2021-5-27_15-36-37.png
    383.5 KB · Views: 51
  • upload_2021-5-27_15-37-43.png
    upload_2021-5-27_15-37-43.png
    868.4 KB · Views: 3
  • upload_2021-5-27_15-41-16.png
    upload_2021-5-27_15-41-16.png
    593.2 KB · Views: 53
  • Screenshot 2021-05-27 3.41.10 PM.png
    Screenshot 2021-05-27 3.41.10 PM.png
    414.3 KB · Views: 2
Wasn't there a proposal to relocate the zoos parking lot and use the existing one as an expansion of the main zoo? I remember hearing about that somewhere on here but I am unsure when that was. Any idea of what the status of that endeavor is?

The only area for replacement besides an animal exhibit would be that roller coaster behind the orangutans. I would be glad to see that go in favor of the chimp center, though I am doubtful that will happen.

The zoo was able to acquire the land. So that is the plan. I believe already they are using part of the area as overflow but will have longer term plans to move all of parking off the current site. So potentially this expansion could cannibalize part of the lot without causing any impact.

GM_plant_parcel_map_Text.png

The zoo now owns the red parcel as well as parcel one, totaling about 28 acres.
 
The zoo was able to acquire the land. So that is the plan. I believe already they are using part of the area as overflow but will have longer term plans to move all of parking off the current site. So potentially this expansion could cannibalize part of the lot without causing any impact.

GM_plant_parcel_map_Text.png

The zoo now owns the red parcel as well as parcel one, totaling about 28 acres.
They could build bridges between the parcels like Toledo.
 
The zoo was able to acquire the land. So that is the plan. I believe already they are using part of the area as overflow but will have longer term plans to move all of parking off the current site. So potentially this expansion could cannibalize part of the lot without causing any impact.

GM_plant_parcel_map_Text.png

The zoo now owns the red parcel as well as parcel one, totaling about 28 acres.
I'd say I like this much better than the plan I made up :p

With that much more land, it will be exciting to see what is developed. Is there a master plan available?

Perhaps a 'mountains' and a 'jungles' area would go nicely there to continue the biomes theme of the different complexes.
 
A great blue turaco chick has hatched at the San Antonio Zoo.

Facebook

I'd say I like this much better than the plan I made up :p

With that much more land, it will be exciting to see what is developed. Is there a master plan available?

Perhaps a 'mountains' and a 'jungles' area would go nicely there to continue the biomes theme of the different complexes.

No. I am unsure if the zoo even has a guiding plan. It definitely seems right now to be a bit more randomized. I can imagine the plan is to build a lot on each of the new plots, connected by a bridge to a new entrance. Then the zoo will still have an additional 14 acres on which to expand.
 
On May 24th, the zoo announced they have acquired (1.0) bald eagle named Lincoln and (1.0) golden eagle named Stewart. Both of them arrived from the Great Plains Zoo and are now on exhibit together.

Log In or Sign Up to View
Beautiful Birds Join Forests Flock - Indianapolis Zoo

On June 22nd, it was reported that a zookeeper was injured by a warthog in an off-exhibit holding area. Said keeper didn't experience anything life-threatening and is now recovering.

Indianapolis Zoo staff member injured by warthog | wthr.com
 
New Roos Coming in 2022 - Indianapolis Zoo

Our furry family will welcome several new roo-mates next year!

Opening in May 2022, our new Kangaroo Crossing exhibit will be located in the current MISTery Park area at the Zoo. Red kangaroos will offer a feeling of Australia right here in Indianapolis.

Marking the first time since 2009 the Zoo has included a dedicated kangaroo exhibit, this new habitat will offer guests an up-close experience where they will get to interact with these and other unique Australian species, also including cockatoos.

Kangaroo Crossing will offer visitors a chance to walk into a large open area without fencing or other barriers. Kangaroos will roam freely in the space as stunning and unique birds fly overhead.

The largest land mammal native to Australia, kangaroos are part of a unique animal group called marsupials that carry their young in a pouch. The red kangaroo is just one of about 60 species of kangaroos and their smaller relatives (wallabies, bettongs and potoroos) found on the continent. Many of those other relative species are now threatened or extinct.
 
New Roos Coming in 2022 - Indianapolis Zoo

Our furry family will welcome several new roo-mates next year!

Opening in May 2022, our new Kangaroo Crossing exhibit will be located in the current MISTery Park area at the Zoo. Red kangaroos will offer a feeling of Australia right here in Indianapolis.

Marking the first time since 2009 the Zoo has included a dedicated kangaroo exhibit, this new habitat will offer guests an up-close experience where they will get to interact with these and other unique Australian species, also including cockatoos.

Kangaroo Crossing will offer visitors a chance to walk into a large open area without fencing or other barriers. Kangaroos will roam freely in the space as stunning and unique birds fly overhead.

The largest land mammal native to Australia, kangaroos are part of a unique animal group called marsupials that carry their young in a pouch. The red kangaroo is just one of about 60 species of kangaroos and their smaller relatives (wallabies, bettongs and potoroos) found on the continent. Many of those other relative species are now threatened or extinct.
If this is replacing the recently done MISTery Park, where would the sloths go? And what would the species list entail? (Supposing there's more than just red kangaroos)
 
New Roos Coming in 2022 - Indianapolis Zoo

Our furry family will welcome several new roo-mates next year!

Opening in May 2022, our new Kangaroo Crossing exhibit will be located in the current MISTery Park area at the Zoo. Red kangaroos will offer a feeling of Australia right here in Indianapolis.

Marking the first time since 2009 the Zoo has included a dedicated kangaroo exhibit, this new habitat will offer guests an up-close experience where they will get to interact with these and other unique Australian species, also including cockatoos.

Kangaroo Crossing will offer visitors a chance to walk into a large open area without fencing or other barriers. Kangaroos will roam freely in the space as stunning and unique birds fly overhead.

The largest land mammal native to Australia, kangaroos are part of a unique animal group called marsupials that carry their young in a pouch. The red kangaroo is just one of about 60 species of kangaroos and their smaller relatives (wallabies, bettongs and potoroos) found on the continent. Many of those other relative species are now threatened or extinct.
Glad to see MIStery Park being replaced. It's not bad, I just don't get why it exists. Kangaroos and cockatoos aren't the most exciting but it's always nice to see the zoo slowly improving their collection. I find it interesting that every year for the past several years the zoo has consistently added one small exhibit that isn't a full complex, rather just a one off animal habitat.

2017: Magnificent Macaws
2018: Sharing One World: Long-Tailed Macaques
2019: MISTery Park (RIP) + Extreme Snakes
2020: Tembo Camp (Elephant Expansion)
2021: Alligators and Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive
2022: Kangaroo Crossing
2023?: Chimpanzee Center

Hopefully the zoo will be able to expand into the existing parking lot soon and we will see some more ambitious ideas in the future.
 
Back
Top