The Indianapolis Zoo: Ful by Juliet Bustos
¡ Que Viva! Indiana Magazine Correspondent Located in White River State Park, the Indianapolis Zoo is a 64-acre tripleaccredited zoological and botanical complex where animals, plants and people connect through education, exhibition, conservation and research. The Zoo takes pride in providing year-round and lifelong recreational learning experiences for visitors and instilling in them a sense of stewardship for the Earth’s plants and animals. The mission of the Indianapolis Zoo is to empower people and communities, both locally and globally, to advance the conservation of earth’s animals. In order to be a leader of conservation, the Indianapolis Zoo purchases 100 percent of their electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources; recycles cardboard that rivals the weight of six adult elephants and pallets that equal the average combined height of 98 giraffes. The zoo also helped establish and support the International Iguana Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that brings all interested parties together and dispenses funding for relevant conservation field
studies. From a social media standpoint, the zoo launched the web site mycarbonpledge.com to encourage everyone to reduce carbon emissions and help save the polar bear from the effects of global warming.
can go “behind the scenes” and talk with keepers during two-way interactive distance learning sessions. With optical fiber running throughout the Zoo, students seated in a classroom setting can see, hear and converse with zoo staff performing tasks such Among its many offerings, the as feeding the sharks or bathing an Indianapolis Zoo has ample oppor- elephant. tunities for extended learning in its The Indianapolis Zoo was among educational department. Each summer the Zoo offers a number of weeklong the first in the nation to offer these day camps for children ages 7 through two-way interactive video “field trips.” 14. Activities include behind-the- Students around the state and the scenes tours, distance learning sessions, nation have gone “behind the scenes” to crafts, skits, songs and close encounters experience the zoo vets at work, design with Zoo inhabitants. Older children of zoo exhibits and learn about careers help the keepers feed and care for zoo within the zoo. There are also opporanimals and even have the opportunity tunities to participate in sessions with to conduct their own research. The internationally acclaimed scientists as zoo also collaborates with White River well as enjoy other activities typically State Park on a not accessible to everyday visitors. This special summer technology is available to classrooms camp that in- around the country through satellite volves the other hookups. attractions in the Park. As visitors travel through the Zoo, they go from one fascinating Through the ad- eco system to another. The Zoo recvances of modern reates natural environments such as technology, stu- an African Savannah and an Asian dents and visitors temperate frost, which provide a great