The zoo houses the world's first underwater dolphin viewing dome, providing a 360-degree perspective of the animals.
The International Orangutan Center was designed by primatologists to prioritize animal enrichment and social complexity.
The White River Gardens section spans 3.3 acres and contains a glass-enclosed conservatory.
The zoo is a private, non-profit organization that does not receive direct tax support for its daily operations.
It maintains a specialized rescue program for manatees in collaboration with federal wildlife agencies.
The facility was the first in the U.S. to host a dolphin research program that allows the animals to choose whether to participate in interactions.
The Indianapolis Zoo is unique for being the only institution in the United States that is triple-accredited as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden. Spanning 64 acres in White River State Park, the facility organizes its animal exhibits into five distinct global biomes: Oceans, Deserts, Plains, Forests, and Encounters. The Oceans exhibit features a massive dolphin pavilion with an underwater viewing dome. The zoo is home to the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center, which features a 50-foot-tall cable system for the primates to traverse above visitors. A dedicated botanical garden is integrated throughout the grounds, highlighting regional and exotic plant species. The zoo actively participates in global conservation efforts for endangered species, including the polar bear. The campus includes a skyline-viewing carousel and a conservation-themed train ride.
The interior of the underwater dolphin dome for unique aquatic refraction shots.
Download the zoo's interactive map app to track daily animal training demonstrations.
Visit the Orangutan Center during the morning when the primates are most active and engaged with their climbing structures.
Utilize the shaded garden paths to navigate between biomes during peak heat to maintain comfort.
Attempting to see every exhibit in a single two-hour window, which leads to exhaustion and missing the deeper educational content.
Open year-round, but specific outdoor animal habitats may close during extreme winter weather; check for seasonal events like 'Christmas at the Zoo'.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing; observe posted silent zones near animal exhibits.
