Indianapolis Zoo Indianapolis Zoo news 2025

[MidwestFan]

This would definitely be exciting to have more dolphins, but I don’t know if the zoo would accept due to some… circumstances.

With dolphins, the zoo tries to say the least amount possible due to such backlash, and with organizations already claiming the exhibit is too small, they might not accept these. There is also other factors that can’t I can’t share but it’d be fun to work with them

The zoo already signed off on accepting the dolphins. See the link, zoo director signed.

 

[USZOOfan42]

Any species not on display during the winter? I might make a visit within the next month.

 

[JVM]

really? Idk if it’s just me but when I went to Indy I got the vibe that the place was well designed and no exhibit really gave me any icks. Some exhibits definitely felt utilitarian - but nothing that seemed indicative of poor wellbeing and I didn’t even find any exhibits to be unattractive in appearance. The orangutan exhibit is kinda weird but i don’t think its ugly or indicative of poor welfare - at least at first glance.

I personally had a very similar experience to you. You will certain always find some on ZooChat who would insist certain exhibits have poor welfare or ugly but there is nuance.

As Miami Seaquarium closes down, animal transfers (physical and/or ownership) are taking place. A proposal for ownership of 2.2 bottlenose dolphins to Indianapolis Zoo for what appears to be a donation. The dolphins are currently at the Miami facility and would be transferred to Indianapolis Zoo.

Dolphins are:
Cayman (1.0) (DOB 10/05/2011)
Cobalt (1.0) (DOB 03/19/2010)
Denise (0.1) (DOB 09/20/1999)
Gemini (0.1) (DOB 09/06/2014)

Very interesting that the dolphins will be heading to Indianapolis. I wouldn't have assumed they could take in four new individuals at once, but I'm glad they will remain in the AZA (as opposed to a non-accredited institution) and it's always possible Indy may be a stopgap for some of them. Their dolphin habitat is a little controversial but I know they are involved with some AZA programs related to underwater life-support systems so they are pretty critical to programs at other facilities, too.

Any species not on display during the winter? I might make a visit within the next month.

The Deserts, Forests and Oceans regions should be fine in winter. Deserts and Oceans are mostly indoors besides the sea lions, seals and walruses that can handle cooler temperatures, the macaques (unsure on them) and the new tortoise exhibit that will probably be closed. Forests has a few tropical species that may be off-display (Kangaroo Crossing, gibbons) but also a lot of cold-hardy species like Amur tigers, grizzly bears, eagles, red panda, and so forth, as well as indoor viewing for orangutans, chimpanzee, and crocodilans, so you shouldn't miss those.

A local can probably give a more detailed answer, but given the African Plains area is entirely outdoors with no indoor exhibits visible to the public, and many of those species are kept inside at other zoos from as high as 50 F, I expect you would have a slightly subpar winter experience and rate accordingly. I made a winter visit to Omaha and even though a lot of their African species were still outside, it can still change the 'feeling' just to be missing giraffes and ostrich, for example, especially in a large mixed savannah space.

 

[Bactrian Deer]

The zoo already signed off on accepting the dolphins. See the link, zoo director signed.

Haha, silly me, wasn’t expecting that they would actually have done it…

Very interesting that the dolphins will be heading to Indianapolis. I wouldn't have assumed they could take in four new individuals at once, but I'm glad they will remain in the AZA (as opposed to a non-accredited institution) and it's always possible Indy may be a stopgap for some of them. Their dolphin habitat is a little controversial but I know they are involved with some AZA programs related to underwater life-support systems so they are pretty critical to programs at other facilities, too.

Technically the exhibit can hold up to 30 dolphins, but staff never wanted to go over 12, but now it seems they made an exception. They are involved in many programs that study dolphins such as their hearing and habitat requirements.

 

[Persephone]

A local can probably give a more detailed answer, but given the African Plains area is entirely outdoors with no indoor exhibits visible to the public, and many of those species are kept inside at other zoos from as high as 50 F, I expect you would have a slightly subpar winter experience and rate accordingly. I made a winter visit to Omaha and even though a lot of their African species were still outside, it can still change the 'feeling' just to be missing giraffes and ostrich, for example, especially in a large mixed savannah space.

(Former) local here. Plains closes down entirely in the winter.

 

[Bactrian Deer]

It’s temperature dependent (because global warming allows it to be - on the count of 3 let’s all boo global warming… 1… 2… 3… Boo!!) and they have lights all over plains for Christmas at the Zoo

 

[USZOOfan42]

The Deserts, Forests and Oceans regions should be fine in winter. Deserts and Oceans are mostly indoors besides the sea lions, seals and walruses that can handle cooler temperatures, the macaques (unsure on them) and the new tortoise exhibit that will probably be closed. Forests has a few tropical species that may be off-display (Kangaroo Crossing, gibbons) but also a lot of cold-hardy species like Amur tigers, grizzly bears, eagles, red panda, and so forth, as well as indoor viewing for orangutans, chimpanzee, and crocodilans, so you shouldn't miss those.

A local can probably give a more detailed answer, but given the African Plains area is entirely outdoors with no indoor exhibits visible to the public, and many of those species are kept inside at other zoos from as high as 50 F, I expect you would have a slightly subpar winter experience and rate accordingly. I made a winter visit to Omaha and even though a lot of their African species were still outside, it can still change the 'feeling' just to be missing giraffes and ostrich, for example, especially in a large mixed savannah space.

(Former) local here. Plains closes down entirely in the winter.

It’s temperature dependent (because global warming allows it to be - on the count of 3 let’s all boo global warming… 1… 2… 3… Boo!!) and they have lights all over plains for Christmas at the Zoo

Thanks! I noticed the elephants, gibbons and two aviaries are not on the map during the winter, so all of them are off exhibit?

 

[Amandiana]

Any species not on display during the winter? I might make a visit within the next month.

November/December in Indiana is fickle, so you might find yourself here in the snow or on a 75 degree day. I think everyone is given the option to come outside, but most of the Plains animals won't. I have seen the lions out when it was cold. The Macaques won't be out. Gibbons won't be out.