30 over 30: Indianapolis Zoo is still growing after 38 years
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Students file into the Indianapolis Zoo for a field trip. Photo: Justin L. Mack/Axios
Welcome back to Axios Indianapolis' "30 Over 30," a series celebrating the icons that have shaped our city for 30 years or more.
No matter how old you get, it's hard to not feel like a kid again when stepping through the front gates of the Indianapolis Zoo.
Why it matters: In the nearly four decades since its debut, the downtown zoo has blossomed into a beloved venue for Hoosier family fun, an economic engine for the Circle City and a worldwide leader in global conservation.
- And while it may be turning 38 today, leaders say it still has a lot of room to grow.
Flashback: The Indianapolis Zoo's grand opening in the summer of '88 made it the first attraction to be located in what would become White River State Park.
- A parachutist delivered the scissors for the ribbon cutting, and a crowd of 7,000 gathered for the big moment.
- The zoo's design was built around the bioclimatic concept, grouping animals by environment — deserts, plains, forests and waterways — a cageless approach considered ahead of its time.
Yes, but: The Indianapolis Zoo isn't Indy's first zoo.
- That honor goes to the 20-acre Washington Park Children's Zoo, which was established by the Indianapolis Zoological Society in 1964 and closed in 1987.
By the numbers: Triple-accredited as a zoo, aquarium and botanical garden, the Indianapolis Zoo is home to more than 1,500 animals representing hundreds of species and nearly 47,000 plant specimens across 64 acres of indoor and outdoor habitats.
- It draws more than 1 million visitors each year.
- More than 83% of visitors come from within Indiana.
- Officials say the zoo's membership base of 42,600 households is among the highest for Indiana cultural institutions.
Zoom in: Saving animals is as central to the zoo's identity as housing them.
- The zoo's Indianapolis Prize has become something similar to a Nobel Prize for international wildlife conservation, awarding $250,000 biennially to leading conservationists worldwide.
- In 2025, the Zoo distributed $697,000 in conservation grants supporting 16 projects globally, bringing the total to more than $1.6 million in field conservation grants awarded since 2022.
- Since 2004, the Indianapolis Prize has distributed nearly $8 million in unrestricted cash awards to conservation leaders.
The latest: This summer, the Hilbert Conservatory will be transformed into an Amazonian Rainforest exhibit.
- Also new in 2026 is Guinea Pig Gathering, an exhibit giving visitors the chance to hand-feed a herd of guinea pigs near the capybara and flamingo areas.
- Zoo leaders kicked off the year by dismantling the Kōmbo Family Coaster and Skyline overhead tram to free up more than an acre of landlocked campus space for new animal exhibits.
Plus: Zoobilation, billed as the Midwest's largest black-tie fundraiser, returns Friday with a sellout crowd and a "Tropical Nights" theme.
💭 Justin's thought bubble: As animal lovers and conservationist nerds, my wife and I are always up for a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo, and we're always smiling ear-to-ear by the end of the day.
- It was the same experience when we swung by for a day at the zoo earlier this month.
- I hand-fed Hugo some lettuce in Kangaroo Crossing, dodged macaws as they flew through the pavilion for a show, and spent way too much time taking pictures of penguins.
Plus: Zoobilation is a highly recommended vibe.
- There are few experiences as fun as getting dressed to the nines and sipping craft cocktails with flamingos.
State of play: The Zoo's big year comes during a period of change at the top.
- Rob Shumaker, who served as president and CEO for more than 16 years, stepped down in March after taking a leave of absence in February.
- The Zoo's Board of Trustees promoted John Gullion, who had served as senior vice president of operations since 2023, to chief operating officer to manage daily operations.
- No permanent successor has been named.
If you go: 1200 W. Washington St.
- 9am–5pm Monday–Thursday, 9am–7pm Friday–Sunday.
