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| Macaw spring training! |
A flock of colorful characters has landed at the Indianapolis Zoo! Don't be surprised if on your next visit you see a scarlet macaw stretching its wings out over the Zoo and downtown, or a blue-throated macaw flying over your head and landing on a lift — that's part of their "spring training."
The team of macaw "coaches" work with the parrots to entice them to fly to a targeted location. The trainers do this by standing on a ladder or lift and offering up peanuts and other yummy treats as the birds make their way to the target. The parrots learn fast and will ultimately fly into the brand new Bicentennial Pavilion several times a day for Magnificent Macaws presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers when it opens on Memorial Day weekend.
The Zoo supports the work of the World Parrot Trust and the Ara Project, organizations focused on the conservation of macaws. One-third of the world's native macaws are endangered due to pet trade and destruction of habitat. You can learn more and see these fantastic birds at the Zoo this spring and summer.
Magnificent Macaws
presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers
Member preview
May 26 • 4-5pm • Bicentennial Pavilion • Bird presentation begins promptly at 4:30pm |
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| Go blue at the Zoo for the Indianapolis Colts! |
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Hey members, huddle up with your Zoo and the Indianapolis Colts! We're teaming up to bring you an extraordinary Draft Day on April 29. The Zoo's orangutans are going to assist the Colts in the announcement of their fourth and fifth round draft picks from the Tim M. Solso Learning Studio! Utilizing one of our touch screens, the orangutans will reveal the name of the newest Colts players live on the NFL Network, NFL Now and Colts.com.
Colts Defensive Ends Hassan Ridgeway and Henry Anderson will also participate in the announcements. You can have fun with Mascot Blue, register for giveaways and meet the cheerleaders. This all happens from noon-4pm. You are urged to sport your Colts blue wear and a splash of pink!
Travel alert: The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is also going on near the Zoo that morning. Consider having a traffic plan if you come before noon. |
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| Artists, pick up your brushes... |
 Paint Out Day
presented by The Great Frame Up Downtown
April 22 • Public activities: 11am-1pm
Observe a special group of juried artists get inspired by the natural world on Zoo grounds during Naturally Inspired Paint Out Day! See a work of art come together before your eyes, and interact with the artists as they create their masterpieces!
After the paintings are complete, they're professionally framed by The Great Frame Up Downtown and displayed for the summer in the Schaefer Rotunda at White River Gardens. Be sure to visit and place a pre-bid on your favorite starting June 1!
Get creative!
Members and guests can get in on the artistic action, too! Enjoy free guided art exercises from 11am-1pm at the ring-tailed lemur exhibit (or the west lobby of the St. Vincent Dolphin Gallery in the event of inclement weather), led by students from the Herron School of Art + Design at IUPUI. Create art of your own inspired by the world around you!
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Silent Auction & Artists' Reception
Aug. 24 • 5:30-7:30pm • Tickets required
In August, attend the silent auction and artists' reception to get the art your heart has fallen in love with! For more information or to make your reservations for this popular event, call 317-630-2046. |
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| Saving Animals From Extinction: the vaquita |
Conservation is at the core of the Indianapolis Zoo's work. As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction program, we are working with zoos, aquariums and other conservation organizations across the globe to save animals at risk.
One of the SAFE species, the vaquita, is in crisis. With fewer than 30 individuals remaining in their population, these small marine mammals could easily go extinct.
 The Indianapolis Zoo has stepped in as a partner with other organizations to support an emergency rescue plan. The Mexican government has determined that for the vaquita to survive, some individuals must be temporarily removed from their home range in the Gulf of California, where they are caught in fishermnn’s gillnets. Zoos and aquariums have the expertise to help the population recover under human care.
"There is no species in greater need today than the vaquitas," said Mike Crowther, President and CEO. "Applying our model of partnering with conservation organizations with a track record of success encourages us that our combined efforts will raise awareness, create change and maintain hope for the species."
Stay up-to-date with the latest news here.
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| We're wild about moms! |
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 Mother's Day Weekend
May 13-14
Celebrate Mother's Day Weekend to put a spotlight on all mothers — both human and animal — again this year during our fun annual event. For moms, the recognition begins right as you enter the Zoo with a special "Proud Mom" sticker, then dive into a fun Zoo-wide scavenger hunt with the entire family. Follow the clues to discover several Zoo mothers and interesting animal facts along the way. Once you finish the exciting hunt, pick up a special prize before you leave! Come celebrate with us! Read more ...
Extra: Before you arrive, download special Mother's Day coloring sheets for the kids to complete. Get them here! |
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| Take the Zoo Clues Challenge! |
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Planning on visiting the Indianapolis Zoo this summer? Make the trip even more memorable by participating in the Change the Play Zoo Clues Challenge! Engage in a scavenger hunt for you and your family as you make your way through the Zoo. Complete the challenge and you could win a special behind-the-scenes tour at the Zoo! All you have to do is…
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Pick up a Zoo Clues Worksheet inside the main entrance of the Indianapolis Zoo starting in May. |
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Spend a family fun-filled day at the Zoo! Enjoy exploring the Zoo while learning about how animals have fitness and nutrition needs just like you! |
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When you find all the clues, you can enter to win a behind-the-scenes tour at the Zoo. The winner(s) will be selected on Sept. 11. |
For more information on ways to keep your family healthy, visit rileychildrens.org/changetheplay. |
| I wonder ... |
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After a gentle spring rain, you'll discover water beaded up like glass marbles on some plants' leaves. These plants are superhydrophobic — something also referred to as the lotus effect. Although their leaves appear smooth, they are covered with nano-scale (even smaller than microscopic) waxy bumps. These multiple, tiny points of contact keep the water droplet from spreading out, as it would do on a smooth surface. The round water droplet rolls off the leaf easily, taking any dirt and debris with it. Engineers have been inspired to copy the lotus' structure as they develop water-repellent clothing and even graffiti-proof paint.
What animal fact are you wondering about? Keep those questions coming! Yours just might get answered in a future issue!
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| Plan your visit now! |
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| Coming up fast |
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Zoopolis 500
presented by the American Dairy Association Indiana
May 24 • 10:30am-12:30pm
Tortoises, start your engines! Join us at the 38th "running" of the Zoopolis 500 presented by the American Dairy Association Indiana. Held annually the Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend, this race-fan favorite includes a morning of family-friendly pre-race festivities leading up to "the Greatest Spectacle in Tortoise Racing."
Meet 500 Festival Princesses and take a photo in front of a pace car. Plus, the American Dairy Association Indiana will hand out free milk chugs from DairyPure and TruMoo (while supplies last). At 11am, racing expert Mike King and Indianapolis 500 Champion Tony Kanaan begin their pre-race commentary leading up to the parade lap at 11:30am. Read more...
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| In the know |
If you've never been to Bowling for Rhinos, what are you waiting for? Put on by the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Association for Zookeepers (AAZK), this fun event raises money for rhino conservation around the world – Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya; Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia; and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia.
It will take place on Saturday, May 20, 5:30-9pm, at Woodland Bowling Center, 421 E 96th St. Admission is $20. Pre-register by May 14 to secure your T-shirt! There will also be registration at the bowling alley on the day of the event. From experience, I can tell you that the silent auction is a highlight of the evening – but come with your game face on! It's competitive! |
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While it's great fun, we should also remember the cause that we are supporting. Approximately 1,106 rhinos were poached last year, and we need to continue to help  protect these wonderful animals now more than ever. This is one way to do just that.
See you at the bowling alley! |
| What's Growing On |
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Planting Under the Bicentennial Pavilion
If you've been to the Indianapolis Zoo recently, or even have just driven by on West Washington Street, you've almost certainly seen the giant, umbrella-like structures that have been under construction throughout the winter. This is the new Bicentennial Pavilion, covering 40,000 square feet, which is nearing completion and will be open this summer! Each of the "trees" is made up of a rusted steel-beam tower that soars upward 20 to 26 feet, topped by a 45 foot wide roof of pale southern pine wood. Their overlapping roofs form a huge, covered area over up to three event spaces, an enormous limestone fire place, the Magnificent Macaws presentation area and lots of landscape beds. Read more ... |
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| This photo is not faked! |
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| Special thanks to Tiffany McCleery |
Send us your favorite original/unaltered/not-Photoshopped picture from an Indianapolis Zoo visit to membership@indyzoo.com, post it on Facebook or on Instagram (#indyzoo). We'll feature our favorite in next month's eNews. |
| Due to renew? Step up to the plate! |
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| Double Secret contest |
 Every month, we hide a little surprise in our eNews. In the April issue, we had our annual visit from Laura Keets and her band of April Fool's mischief makers! Did you call in?
We're feeling inspired by nature! How about you? Do your little ones need their crayon skills redirected from the kitchen walls to paper? Are you a family of visionary Van Goghs, talented Tanners or creative Cassatts? We know of one young artist in particular who is eager to share her artwork with us. Can you find her in the eNews? Once you do, click through for instructions. If you're one of the first five members to email us with the double secret password/passphrase, you'll win a special Zoo prize pack!
Congratulations to last month's winners: Crystal P., Speedway; Brandi E., Indianapolis; Paige W., Shelbyville; Katie M., Lafayette; Amber D., Indianapolis; and our wild card winner, Daniel A., Indianapolis. |
| Don't miss out |
Naturally Inspired Paint Out Day
presented by The Great Frame Up Downtown
April 22 • 9am-3pm • Zoo grounds • Free art activities
from 11am-1pm at ring-tailed lemur exhibit (rain location: west lobby of St. Vincent Dolphin Gallery) |
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Mother's Day Weekend
May 13-14 |
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Bowling for Rhinos
May 20 • 5:30-9PM • Woodland Bowl Center |
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Zoobilation 2017: Tropical Adventure
June 9 • SOLD OUT!
Zoo closed |
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| Special thanks |
Click here to view a complete list of Indianapolis Zoo sponsors! |
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Operating Hours
Through May 25
9am-4pm, Monday-Thursday;
9am-5pm, Friday-Sunday
May 26-Sept.4
9am-5pm, Monday-Thursday;
9am-7pm, Friday-Sunday
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The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities,
both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. |
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Special Thanks to our Official Sponsors:
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Coca-Cola
Official Beverage |
Hendricks Regional Health
Sponsor of Zoo Babies |
Ray's Trash
Official
Recycling
Partner |
Franciscan Physician Network
Official Hand Sanitizer Stations |
Markey's
Preferred Audio Visual Provider |
Unilever
Official Ice Cream |
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