Indianapolis Zoo Wins Edward H. Bean Award

The Indianapolis Zoo has been recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) with the new Edward H. Bean Population Sustainability Award for its innovative approach to the sustainability challenges within the African elephant population.

The Edward H. Bean Population Sustainability Award recognizes the initiatives of Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) and Species Survival Plan® (SSP) programs that have an impact on the long-term sustainability of a species’ managed and/or wild population.

In 2023, the Indianapolis Zoo made history with the birth of Jabari, the first elephant in the world—African or Asian—born through artificial insemination (AI) to a mother, Zahara, who was also conceived through the same procedure.

“The second-generation pregnancy and birth of an African elephant is an important milestone for the SSP and Indianapolis Zoo should be commended for their long-term commitment to breeding African elephants through artificial insemination,” said Dan Ashe, president of AZA.

African elephants are classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, making each calf born through AI vital to their survival. Your ongoing support enables the essential conservation efforts and research needed to protect wild African elephant populations.