|
What's New at the Zoo and Gardens
HOT NEWS!
Zoobilation Tickets Now On Sale!
You'll want to get your reservation in early - the tickets sell out incredibly quickly. You may want to consider getting a Bronze Table, which includes individual Zoobilation tickets, along with many other benefits. All the latest information is here!
 Giraffe Baby Born at Zoo
We are pleased to announce the birth of a baby reticulated giraffe on December 30. The precocious 6'6" baby weighed in at 170 pounds and was up and going in record time! Dad is long-time Zoo breeding male giraffe, Eddie, and mom is our "senior" giraffe, Elena (who also became a grandmother, again, earlier this year when her daugher by our former male Ernie, Takasa, had another little boy, Juani, sired by Eddie. The new baby is named Ezeji (E-ZAY'-GEE), which mean "king of yams." An odd name you would think until you realize that yams are the king of crops in Nigeria and Ghana and it is quite an honor to be named after this sacred food stable. Because of the cold weather, mother and baby will be inside the Plains Barn until it warms up and the footing is good for these tall and graceful animals. Giraffes at the Zoo are sponsored by Meijer and babies at the Zoo are sponsored by Community Health Network. Read more about our giraffes.
 Our winter hours of 9am to 4pm, Wednesday-Sunday, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays are now in effect through February. We have some exciting new developments planned for 2010, including some new animals for the Plains Biome (some really big to start with and some really small and adorable to start with). Stay tuned to this spot for breaking news!
Amur tiger photo by Susan Lang
 Got a Little Dolphin Trainer or a Little Train Engineer in the Family?
The young dolphin trainers and train engineers in the family get to participate in special Zoo activities. As a Junior Dolphin Trainer, presented by Dippin' Dots, the lucky kids get to sit upfront, work with a real dolphin trainer and get a collectors card for their dolphin, all for only $10.00. Junior Train Engineers ride upfront on the train ride and experience what it's like to tour the Zoo by rail! This program is for children age five and up and includes sitting up front with the engineer on the White River Junction Express presented by Action Brace & Prosthetic, Inc., and a souvenir train conductors cap! For more details on both programs, click here.
NEW - Child ID Program presented by Revol Wireless
Thanks to our partners at Revol Wireless, we have a new Child ID Program. When you arrive at the Zoo, or at several locations on Zoo grounds, you may pick up a paper wristband for your child and register the name and your cell phone number with the Zoo. If your child should become separated from you, this program will allow Zoo staff to call you on your cell phone so you can be quickly and safely reunited. Only the child's first name is used. We hope you take advantage of this program, and we thank Revol for their help in providing this new safety program at the Zoo!
 HOW TO AVOID THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON WASHINGTON STREET - There is a large construction site at the corner of Washington and West Streets (the new Marriott Hotel complex), and depending on the time of day, there can be delays on Washington Street both westbound and eastbound, especially for eastbound traffic exiting from the Zoo. We recommend that If you're heading north, that you turn west when you exit the Zoo and use White River Parkway to go north, cutting east on New York Street or 10th Street and back over to West Street. At West Street, go left (north) to access I-65 North and I-70 East, or turn right (south) to access I-65 South and I-70 West. To get to the Parkway, get in the far right hand lane on exiting the Zoo and turn right (north). If you are heading south, you may follow that same procedure, then turn south on Capitol or another north/south street, avoiding West Street. Alternately, you can turn south (left) onto the east leg of White River Parkway (the first stoplight east of the Zoo on Washington, stay in the left hand lane) and follow Oliver or Kentucky south and east from there. If you do go east on Washington Street from the Zoo exit, please note that the far left hand lane is blocked - angle to the right. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Cheetah Construction Underway
.jpg) The new Cheetah: The Race for Survival exhibit, in partnership through a conservation education gift from The Tony Stewart Foundation, and through the generosity of Polly Hix and Tony Fair, will open next Memorial Day weekend, and in the interim, there is much work to be accomplished. Because construction is going on more or less in the middle of all the action, some changes are necessary. Some entrances and exits are switched around, and in addition, because we are now in winter, many of the Plains animals have gone into winter holding for the season. We appreciate your understanding as we prepare for the Cheetah: The Race for Survival - this will be one of the most exciting and dynamic exhibits we've ever had! READ MORE ABOUT THE CHEETAH EXHIBIT.
 Bear Cubs January Update!
Forests Biome Area Manager Cheryl Lent sends this latest update on our two Alaskan brown bears, Ket'nu and Kiak: This is a quiet time for the brown bears at the Zoo. They are not hibernating, but they definitely are slower this year than they were last year as one-year-old cubs. Their food consumption is showing a seasonal low as well, so training and weighing is not on the schedule for the moment. Their January weights are in, and Ket'nu comes in at 445 pounds, while Kiak is now 372 pounds. This is actually a loss of size since their last weigh in, but that's exactly how it should be. Brown bears gain weight all summer in preparation for the winter months when they live off their fat stores. Also, Kiak has been very creative in removing every tree prop keepers have added to the exhibit, so keepers are looking at new and improved ways of decorating their exhibit. In the photo to the left by Fred Cate, you can see just how much the cubs have grown since they first arrived in late 2008. Look for one or both of the cubs out on exhibit - they love cold weather!
Indianapolis Zoo Named One of the Nation's Top Ten Zoos!
 The very popular travel web site, TripAdvisor, has named the Indianapolis Zoo as one of the top ten zoos in America for 2008. "These aquariums and zoos offer wonderful learning experiences about animals and their habitats, and truly let travelers take a walk on the wild side," said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor. The Indianapolis Zoo is proud and honored to be included on this exclusive list, which also includes the San Diego Zoo, the St. Louis Zoo, the Miami Metrozoo and the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, among others. For more information on TripAdvisor, click on the logo.
 Experience Dolphins Up Close and Very Personal
Is there a person who you care about who cares about dolphins? One of the best ways to show your appreciation for that special person in your life is to give them a Dolphin In-Water Adventure – their personal opportunity to get in the water with dolphins and experience them as close as a human can get! For information on this unique and very special program, click here. You can book a Dolphin In-Water Adventure online with a specific date for yourself or someone else, or if you prefer, you can purchase a gift certificate by calling (317) 630-2076. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
 You Can Support Conservation by Recycling Your Cell Phone!
The Indianapolis Zoo is working with Eco-cell on a program to recycle old cell phones. The Indianapolis Chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) receives money from every cell phone that is turned in at our front gate to support their programs in animal conservation and research. So save the environment, save the animals and recycle your phone! Click here for the details.
Photo by Kerrie Best
 Zoo Tickets Available Online!
You can purchase your Indianapolis Zoo tickets online! In addition to the convenience of printing your tickets at home in advance or at the ticket kiosk at the Zoo entrance when you arrive, you have the bonus opportunity to reserve your spot at one of our popular Dolphin Adventure shows! TO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW, CLICK HERE!
Photo by Susan Lang
Nereus Update
 If you've missed seeing the Animal Planet special program, "Growing Up Walrus," featuring our young male walrus, Nereus, the program re-airs from time to time; please check their web site for new information. To update those of you who have seen the show, Nereus contines to do very well! From the time he arrived in Indianapolis in 2003 at barely 130 pounds, he has grown to approximately 840 pounds and has his own small tusks! He is having a great time growing up with our adult walruses, Brutus and Aurora. When you're at the Zoo, be sure to check out the underwater viewing area for the walruses. Both Brutus and Nereus enjoy interacting with the guests through the window, especially children. In this newest photo, Nereus is showing off one of the many behaviors he has learned! Nereus continues to be a favorite with Zoo staff and visitors!
Photo by Jason Wright
Get some valuable hints for a great visit to the Zoo!
Chasque aquí para traducir esta página a español.
|