The Indianapolis Zoo sits in White River State Park about a mile from downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Opened at its current riverside location on June 11, 1988, the zoo traces its roots back to an original site at Washington Park that first opened on April 18, 1964. Today it’s operated by the nonprofit Indianapolis Zoological Society.
In 1996, the Indianapolis Zoo became the first institution in the country to earn triple accreditation as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden, a distinction tied to its adjoining White River Gardens. The zoo is also home to the Indianapolis Prize, a biennial award recognizing major achievements in animal conservation, and draws roughly 1.2 million visitors each year.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: White River State Park, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Opened: June 11, 1988 (original site opened 1964)
- Size: 93 acres
- Species: About 244 species, roughly 1,553 animals
- Annual visitors: About 1.2 million
- Famous for: Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center
The Zoo Experience
Visitors move through indoor and outdoor habitats organized by biome, including areas for deserts, forests, and oceans. The Dolphin Pavilion features an underwater viewing dome where guests can watch bottlenose dolphins swim overhead, one of the zoo’s longest-running signature attractions.
The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center opened over Memorial Day weekend 2014 after a $21.5 million construction effort and has become one of the largest orangutan habitats at any U.S. zoo, housing around a dozen orangutans as of 2025, including a baby born that February. The adjoining White River Gardens adds more than 50,000 plants representing over 5,000 species to the campus.
Exhibits and Conservation Work
The zoo participates in Species Survival Plans coordinated through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and its orangutans have been part of AZA-recommended breeding pairings, including the new orangutan birth announced in February 2025. The Indianapolis Prize, established by the zoo, awards conservationists working to protect endangered species worldwide.
Beyond its animal collection, the zoo grew in 2019 when it acquired about 28 additional acres south of Washington Street, expanding its footprint from the original 64-acre riverside site to its current 93 acres and giving the campus room for future exhibit development.
Explore more: Explore more top zoos and aquariums.
Indianapolis Zoo FAQs
When did the Indianapolis Zoo open?
The zoo’s original Washington Park location opened April 18, 1964. It moved to its current White River State Park site on June 11, 1988.
How many animals live at the Indianapolis Zoo?
The zoo houses roughly 1,553 animals representing about 244 species, according to figures reported on its Wikipedia entry.
What makes the Indianapolis Zoo unique?
In 1996 it became the first zoo in the country to hold triple accreditation as a zoo, aquarium, and botanical garden, and it’s home to the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center, one of the largest orangutan facilities in the U.S.
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Photo: IU Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.