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Conservation and the Indianapolis Zoo
 Conservation is the motivating force behind the mission of the Indianapolis Zoo. We participate in environmental and conservation programming on multiple levels. Here is a brief review - please click on the links for more information.
The Indianapolis Prize
The Indianapolis Prize is an award given every other year to an individual who has made significant strides in animal conservation efforts. The Indianapolis Prize represents the largest individual monetary award for animal conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree. In addition to the $100,000 cash, the winner receives the Lilly Medal. The next Indianapolis Prize will be awarded in September 2010. To learn more about the Indianapolis Prize, click here.
 The National Elephant Center
The Indianapolis Zoo supports The National Elephant Center, the result of a unique collaboration among zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; individuals and organizations that care deeply about elephants; and Waste Management, a corporation committed to the environment and species conservation.
Even though elephants are the largest living land animals, their future is in serious jeopardy in Asia and Africa due, in most part, to elephant/human conflict and poaching. Ironically, it is people who care about elephants and those working in accredited zoos that care for elephants who can best address this crisis.
Accredited zoos have long supported elephant conservation and research and now have come together to establish The National Elephant Center. The Center is poised to become a world leader in elephant population management, conservation, scientific research and care for elephant populations in zoos and in the wild. The Center will become the epicenter for AZA elephant population management and excellence in care and conservation. Today nearly 290 elephants are cared for in North American zoos accredited by the AZA. Each one serves as a vital, living link to elephants in the wild, directly inspiring people to care about the future of elephants worldwide.
Research at the Indianapolis Zoo
On the national front, the Zoo has supported and encouraged its staff for many years to participate in the conservation  programs of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), our national zoo membership organization. Multiple staff, from keepers to the General Curator, are involved in a range of activities, including serving as representatives to AZA steering committees for each species that the Zoo maintains for which an AZA conservation program has been initiated. The Indianapolis Zoo sponsors Forests and Deserts Curator Lynne Villers’ role as Species Coordinator of the ring-tailed lemur. In addition, the Zoo has committed the resources to maintain four North American regional studbooks – the African elephant, ring-tailed lemur, collared lemur and Guinea baboon.
The Indianapolis Zoo has partnered with Dr. Charles Foley and the Tarangire Elephant Project in Tanzania to protect migration corridors from Tarangire National park to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The Tarangrie Elephant Project is working to stop human encroachment into the last remaining open migration corridors by providing local inhabitants with economic incentives and providing protection to the animals when they leave the Park.
.jpg) The Indianapolis Zoo is also partnering with the IUCN – The World Conservation Union, one of the world’s largest conservation networks. The Indianapolis Zoo, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, is supporting the IUCN’s project documenting the known impacts of climate change on species and habitat. Through the gathering and analysis of the data gathered through this project, the IUCN hopes to guide the development of methods and tools for reducing the impacts of climate change on vulnerable species.
In addition to these efforts, the Zoo continues to support research and conservation projects conducted by our own staff on keystone species within our collection, as well as organizations worldwide that support endangered animals large and small.
Photo by Don Reynolds
Recycling
Recycling old cell phones is just one of the projects in which the Zoo is involved. Click here to find out you can recycle your old cell phone and support animal conservation at the same time! And don't forget to recycle your Zoo map on your way out. The Zoo also recycles its paper, aluminum, corrugated cardboard, newspaper, plastics and more.
Research
 The Zoo has identified six species in the collection to which resources are applied, including African elephants, ring-tailed lemurs, penguins, dolphins, walrus, and rock iguanas as Conservation and Research Project initiatives. Steering committees made up of staff members and outside advisors oversee and guide the efforts. An advisory Research Sub-Committee consisting of professionals from the veterinary, medical and education communities provides guidance and instruction.
The Polly H. Hix Institute for Conservation and Research is an initiative that supports the Society’s current and future research and conservation programs. To learn more, click here.
The Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens do not receive any direct public support and are dependent on the generosity of individual, corporate, foundation and estate gifts. Consider an opportunity to partner with us in the vital conservation, research, exhibition and education efforts of the Zoological Society.
Elephant photo by Don Reynolds. Grand Cayman blue iguana photo by Paul Riley.
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