*Despite what was shown in the video, here's the path that I personally take:* Hilbert Conservatory > Chimpanzee Community Hub > Oceans (Seals and Sea Lions to Walrus) > Chimpanzee Cognition Center > Forests > Kangaroo Crossing > Dolphin Dome > Deserts > International Orangutan Center > Chimpanzee Culture Center > Flights of Fancy > Alligators & Crocodiles > Plains > Bicentennial Pavilion Tickets: tickets.indyzoo.com/WebStore/landingPage Zoo Map: www.indianapoliszoo.com/visit/zoo-map/ Animal Encounters: www.indianapoliszoo.com/visit/zoo-more-experiences/ Thank you to my buddies Nathen, Aiden, and Aidan for joining me on my visit and helping me film! *Review* Here are my actual thoughts on the Indianapolis Zoo from a zoo enthusiasts perspective... I made my very first visit in 2010, and without being too knowledgeable about zoos at the time I thought it was nearly perfect. Yeah, the bears didn't and still don't have it the best, but I've been to places that are considered better that have a lot worse so two or three unfavorable exhibits ain't too shabby. I wouldn't say that the zoo was simple but it was still grounded with a few unique twists. Then the ambition kicked in, and new projects were being added every couple of years. Some of them were great: phasing out polar bears for macaques - awesome - adding to their reptile collection, perfect - expanding an already good elephant complex, even better. However, a majority of these projects made it seem like the zoo was more concerned about quantity over quality. On one hand, the Orangutan and Chimp complexes had budgets to make some of the best, immersive exhibits in the nation. Instead, the design team tried to be as different as they possibly could be and in doing so, ended up with argument fuel for anti zoo activists and even invited heavy criticism from zoo enthusiasts. My walk through the chimpanzee complex was the first time I truly started to question the ethics of zoos. Then on the other hand, the other half of the newer projects didn't have the budget to create anything spectacular, it shows, and in my eyes they just made the zoo look lazy. I understand they don't have a lot of space to work with - but they've proved that raising money isn't a problem. So I just wonder why rush an exhibit when you could increase your budget goals to make something more immersive? I say that, but then again... we've all seen what the Indy Zoo does with mega budget projects. Some of you might believe this is ridiculous to say but I truly believe the Indianapolis Zoo was an overall better, more respectable institution 15 years ago than it is today. It's odd and sad that exhibits from 1988 still hold up better than some built in 2024. So where does it rank on my list? 15 years ago, I'd put it near the 25 spot, but with the way things are these days, around the 30 spot. Rant over.
It seems an odd zoo. Some of the exhibits seem to be cheap knock offs of better zoos. Also the areas seem eclectic, a mismash of totally different styles that don't fit in. The African section looks very good but the rest of the zoo ranges from "roadside attraction" to avant-garde spectacle. I must admit, i prefer immersion type exhibits where you can sit and watch natural behaviour in a natural setting. I think I'd give this zoo a miss, there doesn't seem to be any species that other zoos don't exhibit nor are there any exhibits that I'd go out of my way to see. Sitting in a tiny gondola weaving its way between metal pylons to catch a glimpse of an orangutan just doesn't do it for me.😅 (On the opposite end, I've just visited New Zealand's Auckland Zoo. Because of import restrictions, they have a very limited list of animals on show. But boy do they show them well! A highlight was a 75ft diameter walk through dome, replicating a Bornean peat swamp and jungle. Giant fish tanks held very common aquarium fish but the habitat scaping was incredible. The whole exhibit was designed around one species of animal - the false gharial. I've never seen such an amazing exhibition for any sort of reptile, let alone a [lets face it] non active fairly dull looking crocodilian.)
I am really enjoying the videos because I get to visit these wonderful Zoos and Theme parks right from my living room and it's totally free. It also helps me to know what places to add to my visit list. Keep at the great work. I'm looking forward to the next destination. 😁💖 Even my Mom enjoys watching them with me.
I have photos of me and my siblings when we was younger riding the elephants, when I lived in Greenfield then Indianapolis I took my kids there about every other month. I never got tired of the zoo. I loved the dolphin show and the meerkats. I give the Indianapolis zoo a 8/10. ❤❤
Hello, local and zoo employee here! The sandcats can be seen first thing in the morning out and about eating some mice, otherwise youll just have to resign yourself to seeing them sleeping in their log! I am an orangutan center lover, but i understand why people do not like the look of it. Ape keepers have stated that having an exhibit with additional vegetation outside of the grass in the yards was not practical as the apes ended up continually destroying it - it prioritizes functionality over aesthetic. What i find way more important is that the apes have a large degree of autonomy and choice in their day to day lives. If they don't want to do a language test on a given day, they don't have to, its their choice. If they want to use the trails outside and move to a yard, that is typically available to them! (We have kept the males apart for safety reasons.) This was a great review, and thank you for sharing your viewpoints!
I’m so glad you were able to see Jabari (baby elephant) on your visit! One thing I would urge people to experience is our Tembo demonstrations/chats. We don’t do guest bathing at Tembo anymore (it’s at the barn) but we still bring an elephant onto the demo pad to showcase behaviors, get a hose bath, and then we open the gates and allow guests to pet the elephant.
With Indianapolis they base it to work the most for conservation even though they have very little space with the white river cutting them off though I am pretty sure they are planning to expand.
This was a nice overview of Indianapolis Zoo. I'm definitely going to have ro visit this zoo eventually, for both the rare species and to catch up with Ginger and Aku the walruses. Plus the Dolphin Dome, of course.
I personally think the orangutan exhibit is very creative and the fact that it’s not remotely naturalistic isn’t a huge problem since it’s designed to take advantage of the animals’ behavior.
Lol I just went to the Indianapolis Zoo with some of my family back in July (I currently live in Nevada). I loved going to this zoo. It had some memorible moments especially for my dad and my little second cousin when it came to the Dolphins. Thanks for all the videos you have made on this zoo as well as all the other you have done. Keep us the good work.
This was a great guide video! Even though the Indy Zoo may not be one of the best facilities in the country, this zoo holds a special place in my heart. The Indy Zoo has been my home zoo for a long time, and I’ve been visiting this zoo ever since I was little. I like that it’s a simple zoo, but i do wish the Orangutans and Chimps had more natural looking habitats.
If you want a bird to perch on your hand or arm, be aware, they may reach toward you with their beak. They are testing to see if this potential new perch is stable, *not* trying to bite you! If you jerk your hand away, they will know you're *not* a safe perch and will be reluctant to step over. Just keep your arm still and let them touch you with their equivalent to a hand, and when they feel you make a nice, stable perch, they'll be comfortable trusting their full weight on you.
3:45 I thought the dude waving at the chimps was the beat thing I'd seen all week only to immediately shown up by the chimp sleeping under the blanket 😂🥰
I'm an Indy local; this has been my zoo since I was a baby and I absolutely agree with all of your points. Zoos should be about conservation and education while keeping animals happy, healthy, and in habitats that look like their ones in the wild. Indy Zoo just... doesn't care about that right now, I suppose. It makes me really sad. I want these animals to be happy, and some of them just look...bored. They spend all this money on these exhibits instead of focusing on the needs of the animals themselves. I've seen a major shift in quality over the years and it's made me really sad.
Interesting! Try visiting the San Francisco Zoo & the Woodland Park Zoo soon, Zak! And here are 10 zoo trivia questions for you & your girlfriend.... 1) Which gorilla at the Jacksonville Zoo died from a bacterial illness & infected the entire troop? 2) True or False? Oakland Zoo is planning to welcome 5 new African Forest Elephants when Osh leaves this coming fall? 3) How many years ago did the San Francisco Zoo originally house coyotes? 4) What year did the Los Angeles Zoo once housed a wedge-tailed eagle? 5) Do you wish for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to house meerkats in the future? 6) What years did the SixFlags Discovery Kingdom park originally house a prairie dog attraction? 7) True or False? The Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium had once housed a Komodo Dragon way back? 8) How many years ago did the San Diego Zoo originally house both striped & spotted hyenas before the construction of the new Africa Rocks attraction? 9) True or False? The San Francisco Zoo is planning to build more new exhibits as an expansion in the future after building the new giant panda enclosure? 10) How many years has the Woodland Park Zoo housed Malayan Tapirs so far?
Hi, relatively new follower and member of the Indy Zoo here. And honestly, I think you should’ve gone with your gut instinct on that instead of putting it in the comments. Having been a local to this zoo for ages it’s been incredibly disappointing with this new chimp habitat and seems to be the crown jewel in the directors cap (a primatologist, which feels like why all the “major” additions have been great ape focused) at the cost of the zoo’s character. The new entrance makes sense after the zoo absorbed the botanical gardens, but with the limited space and these massive additions it just feels too far to try and get what the director wants versus what’s best for the zoo. Like the middle yard for the chimps was the ring tailed lemur temporary habitat post orangutan habitat for crying out loud! And while the macaques are cool, I think they would’ve made a better replacement for the lemurs on the old island that used to be in the middle to actually encourage the species aquatic behavior than put them in the old polar bear habitat. Also fairly sure the croc habitat was backstage area and may have in fact been a garage. I’m just worried at this point with how the Deserts is starting to show it’s age that they’ll try to replace it with gorillas at this point or something nuts like that. If you need someone to like, talk about it from a local perspective just let me know. I’ve got opinions on it from both a casual zoo goer and a zoo fanatic stance.
I never been personally but I have to agree with your assessment on the Indianapolis Zoo because it’s trying to be different but it’s not focusing on quality for the animals which should be a top priority and seems the zoo is ignoring that just to be unique so overall it’s kind of disappointing unfortunately.
Such a strange zoo. Some really great stuff and some completely awful enclosures. Their older stuff is usually better than their newer exhibits. But part of the strangeness of this zoo.
I'm sorry but the orangutan exhibit is just ugly and unethical. And the chimp exhibit is better but it's still kind of meh. Other than that this Zoo does look really nice and has a lot of potential.
I still to this day genuinely do not like International Orangutan Center at all. To me its a huge giant waste of money and a zoo that puts habitats as their main zones, it just sticks out like a sore thumb. I get the need of wanting to see the apes 50 ft above but can the design look any less industrial? There's literally zero vegetation for the Orangutans and it clearly looks like a lab more than an actual livable habitat, and it gave way too much artificial feel to it.
100% agree. I think the concept is neat, but I absolutely can’t stand exhibits that don’t look natural and are too industrial for lack of a better term. Like, couldn’t they have incorporated some foliage into it to make the exhibit more natural for the orangutans?
A based opinion! I've been to this zoo twice now, and it's by far the worst thing there. It reminds me of the labs in Rise of the Planet of the Apes mixed with a roller coaster. A much better Orangutan complex that did a similar thing with the huge climbing structures exists at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand. It's called the Southeast Asia Jungle Track. It's basically what the International Orangutan Center wishes it could be. Super lush, natural and a great conservation theme. No concrete prison walls in sight.
They could have incorporated this complex into the Forests area by adding foliage and making it look more natural. Right now the habitat looks like a psychiatric ward.
*Despite what was shown in the video, here's the path that I personally take:*
Hilbert Conservatory > Chimpanzee Community Hub > Oceans (Seals and Sea Lions to Walrus) > Chimpanzee Cognition Center > Forests > Kangaroo Crossing > Dolphin Dome > Deserts > International Orangutan Center > Chimpanzee Culture Center > Flights of Fancy > Alligators & Crocodiles > Plains > Bicentennial Pavilion
Tickets: tickets.indyzoo.com/WebStore/landingPage
Zoo Map: www.indianapoliszoo.com/visit/zoo-map/
Animal Encounters: www.indianapoliszoo.com/visit/zoo-more-experiences/
Thank you to my buddies Nathen, Aiden, and Aidan for joining me on my visit and helping me film!
*Review*
Here are my actual thoughts on the Indianapolis Zoo from a zoo enthusiasts perspective... I made my very first visit in 2010, and without being too knowledgeable about zoos at the time I thought it was nearly perfect. Yeah, the bears didn't and still don't have it the best, but I've been to places that are considered better that have a lot worse so two or three unfavorable exhibits ain't too shabby.
I wouldn't say that the zoo was simple but it was still grounded with a few unique twists. Then the ambition kicked in, and new projects were being added every couple of years. Some of them were great: phasing out polar bears for macaques - awesome - adding to their reptile collection, perfect - expanding an already good elephant complex, even better.
However, a majority of these projects made it seem like the zoo was more concerned about quantity over quality. On one hand, the Orangutan and Chimp complexes had budgets to make some of the best, immersive exhibits in the nation. Instead, the design team tried to be as different as they possibly could be and in doing so, ended up with argument fuel for anti zoo activists and even invited heavy criticism from zoo enthusiasts. My walk through the chimpanzee complex was the first time I truly started to question the ethics of zoos.
Then on the other hand, the other half of the newer projects didn't have the budget to create anything spectacular, it shows, and in my eyes they just made the zoo look lazy. I understand they don't have a lot of space to work with - but they've proved that raising money isn't a problem. So I just wonder why rush an exhibit when you could increase your budget goals to make something more immersive? I say that, but then again... we've all seen what the Indy Zoo does with mega budget projects.
Some of you might believe this is ridiculous to say but I truly believe the Indianapolis Zoo was an overall better, more respectable institution 15 years ago than it is today. It's odd and sad that exhibits from 1988 still hold up better than some built in 2024. So where does it rank on my list? 15 years ago, I'd put it near the 25 spot, but with the way things are these days, around the 30 spot.
Rant over.
But what about the tamarin exhibit 😱
It seems an odd zoo. Some of the exhibits seem to be cheap knock offs of better zoos. Also the areas seem eclectic, a mismash of totally different styles that don't fit in. The African section looks very good but the rest of the zoo ranges from "roadside attraction" to avant-garde spectacle. I must admit, i prefer immersion type exhibits where you can sit and watch natural behaviour in a natural setting. I think I'd give this zoo a miss, there doesn't seem to be any species that other zoos don't exhibit nor are there any exhibits that I'd go out of my way to see. Sitting in a tiny gondola weaving its way between metal pylons to catch a glimpse of an orangutan just doesn't do it for me.😅
(On the opposite end, I've just visited New Zealand's Auckland Zoo. Because of import restrictions, they have a very limited list of animals on show. But boy do they show them well! A highlight was a 75ft diameter walk through dome, replicating a Bornean peat swamp and jungle. Giant fish tanks held very common aquarium fish but the habitat scaping was incredible. The whole exhibit was designed around one species of animal - the false gharial. I've never seen such an amazing exhibition for any sort of reptile, let alone a [lets face it] non active fairly dull looking crocodilian.)
I am really enjoying the videos because I get to visit these wonderful Zoos and Theme parks right from my living room and it's totally free. It also helps me to know what places to add to my visit list. Keep at the great work. I'm looking forward to the next destination. 😁💖 Even my Mom enjoys watching them with me.
I have photos of me and my siblings when we was younger riding the elephants, when I lived in Greenfield then Indianapolis I took my kids there about every other month. I never got tired of the zoo. I loved the dolphin show and the meerkats. I give the Indianapolis zoo a 8/10. ❤❤
Hello, local and zoo employee here! The sandcats can be seen first thing in the morning out and about eating some mice, otherwise youll just have to resign yourself to seeing them sleeping in their log!
I am an orangutan center lover, but i understand why people do not like the look of it. Ape keepers have stated that having an exhibit with additional vegetation outside of the grass in the yards was not practical as the apes ended up continually destroying it - it prioritizes functionality over aesthetic. What i find way more important is that the apes have a large degree of autonomy and choice in their day to day lives. If they don't want to do a language test on a given day, they don't have to, its their choice. If they want to use the trails outside and move to a yard, that is typically available to them! (We have kept the males apart for safety reasons.)
This was a great review, and thank you for sharing your viewpoints!
I’m so glad you were able to see Jabari (baby elephant) on your visit! One thing I would urge people to experience is our Tembo demonstrations/chats. We don’t do guest bathing at Tembo anymore (it’s at the barn) but we still bring an elephant onto the demo pad to showcase behaviors, get a hose bath, and then we open the gates and allow guests to pet the elephant.
With Indianapolis they base it to work the most for conservation even though they have very little space with the white river cutting them off though I am pretty sure they are planning to expand.
This was a nice overview of Indianapolis Zoo. I'm definitely going to have ro visit this zoo eventually, for both the rare species and to catch up with Ginger and Aku the walruses. Plus the Dolphin Dome, of course.
I personally think the orangutan exhibit is very creative and the fact that it’s not remotely naturalistic isn’t a huge problem since it’s designed to take advantage of the animals’ behavior.
Lol I just went to the Indianapolis Zoo with some of my family back in July (I currently live in Nevada). I loved going to this zoo. It had some memorible moments especially for my dad and my little second cousin when it came to the Dolphins. Thanks for all the videos you have made on this zoo as well as all the other you have done. Keep us the good work.
FINALLY A VIDEO ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD ZOO.
This was a great guide video! Even though the Indy Zoo may not be one of the best facilities in the country, this zoo holds a special place in my heart. The Indy Zoo has been my home zoo for a long time, and I’ve been visiting this zoo ever since I was little. I like that it’s a simple zoo, but i do wish the Orangutans and Chimps had more natural looking habitats.
I remember my dad signed me up for the in-water dolphin encounter for my 14th birthday, it was really great ☺️
If you want a bird to perch on your hand or arm, be aware, they may reach toward you with their beak. They are testing to see if this potential new perch is stable, *not* trying to bite you! If you jerk your hand away, they will know you're *not* a safe perch and will be reluctant to step over. Just keep your arm still and let them touch you with their equivalent to a hand, and when they feel you make a nice, stable perch, they'll be comfortable trusting their full weight on you.
3:45 I thought the dude waving at the chimps was the beat thing I'd seen all week only to immediately shown up by the chimp sleeping under the blanket 😂🥰
i’d love for you to at some point make a video ranking all the zoos you have been to
He already did but that was 4 years ago.
Technically in the works:) Just waiting to add a few more big name parks.
Will you still do a video on Brookfields master plans?
What a super nice Zoo
9:01 local here and it’s never active lol I have seen it once
I'm an Indy local; this has been my zoo since I was a baby and I absolutely agree with all of your points. Zoos should be about conservation and education while keeping animals happy, healthy, and in habitats that look like their ones in the wild.
Indy Zoo just... doesn't care about that right now, I suppose. It makes me really sad. I want these animals to be happy, and some of them just look...bored. They spend all this money on these exhibits instead of focusing on the needs of the animals themselves.
I've seen a major shift in quality over the years and it's made me really sad.
I did the dolphin adventure thing and it was cool
I like this zoo but I like the Fort Wayne one better :)
Interesting! Try visiting the San Francisco Zoo & the Woodland Park Zoo soon, Zak! And here are 10 zoo trivia questions for you & your girlfriend....
1) Which gorilla at the Jacksonville Zoo died from a bacterial illness & infected the entire troop?
2) True or False? Oakland Zoo is planning to welcome 5 new African Forest Elephants when Osh leaves this coming fall?
3) How many years ago did the San Francisco Zoo originally house coyotes?
4) What year did the Los Angeles Zoo once housed a wedge-tailed eagle?
5) Do you wish for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to house meerkats in the future?
6) What years did the SixFlags Discovery Kingdom park originally house a prairie dog attraction?
7) True or False? The Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium had once housed a Komodo Dragon way back?
8) How many years ago did the San Diego Zoo originally house both striped & spotted hyenas before the construction of the new Africa Rocks attraction?
9) True or False? The San Francisco Zoo is planning to build more new exhibits as an expansion in the future after building the new giant panda enclosure?
10) How many years has the Woodland Park Zoo housed Malayan Tapirs so far?
Why does one of the facts (the gorilla bacterial illness one) have to be so dark?
I’m a local and the last 2 times I’ve seen the sand cats were early morning
One of these days, you should remake your tours of the Forests and Plains exhibits.
One of those is definitely getting a release sometime next year!
Can you check out the Fresno Chafee Zoo please?
Don't let the zoo knock me off my feet now.
Hi, relatively new follower and member of the Indy Zoo here. And honestly, I think you should’ve gone with your gut instinct on that instead of putting it in the comments. Having been a local to this zoo for ages it’s been incredibly disappointing with this new chimp habitat and seems to be the crown jewel in the directors cap (a primatologist, which feels like why all the “major” additions have been great ape focused) at the cost of the zoo’s character. The new entrance makes sense after the zoo absorbed the botanical gardens, but with the limited space and these massive additions it just feels too far to try and get what the director wants versus what’s best for the zoo. Like the middle yard for the chimps was the ring tailed lemur temporary habitat post orangutan habitat for crying out loud! And while the macaques are cool, I think they would’ve made a better replacement for the lemurs on the old island that used to be in the middle to actually encourage the species aquatic behavior than put them in the old polar bear habitat. Also fairly sure the croc habitat was backstage area and may have in fact been a garage. I’m just worried at this point with how the Deserts is starting to show it’s age that they’ll try to replace it with gorillas at this point or something nuts like that.
If you need someone to like, talk about it from a local perspective just let me know. I’ve got opinions on it from both a casual zoo goer and a zoo fanatic stance.
The Indianapolis Zoo is very exotic because it has exhibits that is focused on biomes
As a native to Indy I agree
I never been personally but I have to agree with your assessment on the Indianapolis Zoo because it’s trying to be different but it’s not focusing on quality for the animals which should be a top priority and seems the zoo is ignoring that just to be unique so overall it’s kind of disappointing unfortunately.
Please central park zoo
Hoosiers ->
Such a strange zoo. Some really great stuff and some completely awful enclosures. Their older stuff is usually better than their newer exhibits. But part of the strangeness of this zoo.
I'm sorry but the orangutan exhibit is just ugly and unethical. And the chimp exhibit is better but it's still kind of meh. Other than that this Zoo does look really nice and has a lot of potential.
I still to this day genuinely do not like International Orangutan Center at all. To me its a huge giant waste of money and a zoo that puts habitats as their main zones, it just sticks out like a sore thumb. I get the need of wanting to see the apes 50 ft above but can the design look any less industrial? There's literally zero vegetation for the Orangutans and it clearly looks like a lab more than an actual livable habitat, and it gave way too much artificial feel to it.
100% agree. I think the concept is neat, but I absolutely can’t stand exhibits that don’t look natural and are too industrial for lack of a better term. Like, couldn’t they have incorporated some foliage into it to make the exhibit more natural for the orangutans?
A based opinion! I've been to this zoo twice now, and it's by far the worst thing there. It reminds me of the labs in Rise of the Planet of the Apes mixed with a roller coaster. A much better Orangutan complex that did a similar thing with the huge climbing structures exists at the Auckland Zoo in New Zealand. It's called the Southeast Asia Jungle Track. It's basically what the International Orangutan Center wishes it could be. Super lush, natural and a great conservation theme. No concrete prison walls in sight.
Even Brookfield’s Tropic World looks more natural than the IOC.
They could have incorporated this complex into the Forests area by adding foliage and making it look more natural. Right now the habitat looks like a psychiatric ward.
I respect you guy’s opinion and I semi agree with you but i think it makes the Indy zoo unique