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Welcome to Oceans presented by Old National Bank
 Oceans presented by Old National Bank is an experience Zoo visitors will not want to miss. As the name implies, the focus is those huge bodies of sea water that cover seven tenths of our world, and which are collectively refer to as the oceans. In the Oceans exhibit, visitors will see a diverse collection of animals of unusual shapes or brilliant colors that represent startling skills and unusual lifestyles. But in Oceans, they will do much more than see fascinating specimens. In a visually stimulating environment, minimally they will also hear and touch. Maybe they will go farther still and speak with available staff members or express their opinion at interactive polling stations. Here visitors will find the inspiration to ponder their personal relationship with the ocean planet – our Earth.
 Visitors first encounter the OneAmerica Foundation Entry Gallery, with its beautiful reflecting pool. Then, the Efroymson Gallery begins with a large tank occupied by cow-nosed rays. Then, the reef exhibit features a whole group of eels, both green and purplemouth morays, while the tank next door features ephemeral moon jellies floating against the void of a blackened sea.
 Just around the corner is a fantastic Firestone Gallery featuring the shark touch pool. A school of dog sharks provides a wonderful opportunity for the young (and young at heart!) to have a personal encounter with these mythic and misunderstood creatures of the deep. The towering ceiling is festooned with colorful banners, while the pool itself is surrounded by a wall just at the right height for kids to observe the sharks. After their personal encounters, the little ones can dry their hands inside the jaws of a shark!
 Further on, visitors will re-visit one of the returning species to the building – Indianapolis Power & Light Company presents Seahorses. First opened in 2004, this beautiful exhibit has been modified to fit into the new Oceans theme and includes towering tanks of three species of seahorses – the longsnout, pot-bellied and lined. As before, this display gives visitors an opportunity to see these fascinating, tiny and rarely viewed creatures up close and personal and tells the story of their unique lifestyles.
Next some a series of focus tanks comprising the Oceans Connections section of the exhibit, a gift of The Mike and Amy Alley Charitable Fund of Legacy Fund. It features a rotating series of new species, often ones that illustrate the unique relationships among the oceans’ creatures. There may be clownfish hiding among the waving tentacles of an anemone, or cleaner wrasse plucking parasites from a much larger fish.
 When visitors reach the penguin exhibit, they will notice transparent panel beneath their feet that allows them to see (and appreciate the speed) of the penguins as they “fly” underwater from one side of the exhibit to the other. The Zoo exhibit three species of penguins - the large and majestic King penguins, medium-sized gentoos (see photo on the left), and the smaller rockhoppers - the ones with the yellow feathers on their heads.
Throughout Oceans, visitors will see and experience some beautiful and very informative interpretive signage detailing the relationship of animals to their environments, humans to animals, and global warming to the oceans. And, visitors will have the opportunity to express their views through the unique and interactive Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust Polling Stations.
All photos except seahorse by Jason Wright.
Seahorse photo by Don Reynolds Imaging.
Oceans Collection
Oceans Connections
Making a Difference
Special Thanks to Sponsors and Donors
Return to the Ocean Introduction
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