Fire at Indianapolis Zoo
Damages Encounters Biome Building

INDIANAPOLIS ---- The Critter Corner building in the Encounters area of the Indianapolis Zoo is closed today. Zoo workers are cleaning up after an early morning fire that killed three turtles, two birds, an armadillo, two rodents, one snake and several hissing cockroaches.

The fire in the corner of an off-exhibit holding room for the Zoo’s program animals was quickly extinguished after the alarm sounded and the sprinkler system was activated at 4:25am. Emergency veterinary care was administered at the site, and several birds, reptiles, and rodents are now under observation at the Zoo’s veterinary hospital.

Four fire trucks were dispatched and the fire was out shortly after 5am. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

 “The loss of any of our animal collection is significant,” said Mike Crowther, Indianapolis Zoo president and CEO, “and our thoughts are with the staff who worked with those lost.  I would also like to commend the staff who were here at the time and those who reported in so quickly for their professional performance under difficult circumstances.  It was a united response that demonstrated our team commitment to the health and welfare of our animals.”

“We will investigate the cause, obviously,” he continued, “and will take appropriate measures to prevent a future occurrence.  We thank our guests for their sympathies and understanding of what is a difficult time for us.”

Program animals at the Indianapolis Zoo are seen most frequently in public chats and Zoomobile appearances. The animals are housed off-exhibit in the Encounters Critter Corner building.

Although Critter Corner will be closed until further notice, the Indianapolis Zoo will continue with its normal hours of operation.

Updates will be posted on the web site, www.indianapoliszoo.com.

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Located in White River State Park downtown, the Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Association of Museums as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden. The Indianapolis Zoo inspires local and global communities to celebrate, protect, and preserve our natural world through conservation, education, and research, and by providing an enriching and wondrous environment for our visitors and the animals in our care.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.