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| Just look up! |
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A flock of colorful characters has landed at the Indianapolis Zoo! The macaws are just about done with their spring training and will soon be flying into the brand-new Bicentennial Pavilion several times a day for Magnificent Macaws presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.
Did you know: The Zoo supports the work of the World Parrot Trust, an organization focused on the conservation of macaws. One-third of the world's native macaws are endangered due to international 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
Exclusive members-only preview
May 26 • 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm • Bicentennial Pavilion
We've planned four special opportunities for members to be among the first to see the Magnificent Macaws presentation. The presentations will begin promptly at 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm at The Perch on the north end of the Bicentennial Pavilion. Remember, space is limited at each presentation, so plan ahead! |
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| Meet the Flock |
Soon you'll be getting up close and personal with our flocks of Macaws named the Racers, Pacers and Pit Crew. All 51 birds have individual personalities, likes and dislikes, and strong bonds with their social group or siblings.
Here are a few of the members of the Pacers flock:
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| Killian is a blue-throated macaw, one of the rarest macaws in the world. You can tell him apart from the other blue-throated macaws because one of his tail feathers is bright yellow! He is mischievous, a bit of a trouble maker, and enjoys opening doors and locks! He is intelligent and a problem solver and needs to be kept mentally busy. He has a strong social group with his buddies. The Zoo has seven blue-throated macaws. |
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| Anvil is a scarlet macaw. Although scarlet macaws aren't usually as big as green-winged macaws or hyacinth macaws, Anvil is a very large individual. He rarely sits still and likes to explore. If he's bored, he'll fly away looking for something else to interest him. He is a power flyer and often flies with his siblings, Jayne, Stone and Shepherd, who are also the largest scarlet macaws in the flock. The Zoo has thirteen scarlet macaws. |
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| Mal is a military macaw and calmly takes in the world. He is content to sit still and relax. The trainers can tell him apart from the other birds easily because he has one feather over his right eye that is a different color than the rest. Mal's sister is Zoe and she is not as laid back as her brother. The Zoo has seven military macaws. |
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| Kaylee is a green-winged macaw. Green-winged macaws tend to be a bit slower and more sturdy than the similar-looking scarlet macaws. She likes to think things through and is methodical, but can be very stubborn about getting her way! Kaylee is a strong flyer and often flies with her siblings Inara and Washburne. The Zoo has five green-winged macaws. |
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| New faces in Forests |
If you do a double take while wandering past our brown bears, you're not imagining things. You may see two bear cubs wrestling, splashing around in the water, or playing with some logs. We are the temporary home to two cubs who are destined for the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota, which is building a new brown bear exhibit.
These females are almost two and a half years old and are named Sitka and Juneau. The cubs were orphaned in Yellowstone National Park 19 months ago. When park rangers found them, they were malnourished at half the weight they should have been, and were considered unreleasable. The Palm Beach Zoo has housed and cared for them over the last year.
Sometimes you'll see Juneau and Sitka outdoors and other times you'll see our adult bears, Kiak and Mikal. But we don't have plans to introduce them together. The cubs will be here at the Indianapolis Zoo through the summer and early fall before they are moved to their new home in South Dakota. |
| 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." Read more... |
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| Discover Dolphins in the St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion |
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| Naturally Inspired Paint Out Art Show |
 presented by The Great Frame Up Downtown
June 1-Aug. 23 • Schaefer Rotunda of the White River Gardens
More than 20 original works of art are going into this year's Naturally Inspired Art Show, opening June 1 in the Schaefer Rotunda at White River Gardens, featuring 15 juried artists (and a few artistically inclined animals). We'll feature some of the pieces this month and the remainder in the July eNews, with a vote-off to determine who wins the coveted Member's Choice Award! Which piece is your favorite?
Vote now by clicking on your top pick!
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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| Member perk alert! |
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Meet Dr. Sam Williams at a special member screening of Rio
June 23 • 10am • IMAX Theater at the Indiana State Museum FREE
You're invited to meet macaw conservationist Dr. Sam Williams!
Donors and members are invited to join us June 23 at 10am at the IMAX Theater at the Indiana State Museum to meet conservation scientist Dr. Sam Williams, learn about what his organization - The Ara Project - is doing to save macaws, and see a special screening of the hit film Rio.
The movie is presented as a special member benefit to you. Tickets are free but space is limited! Call 317-630-2046 to reserve your spot today! (Please note that reservations are limited only to the individuals and guests covered by your membership.)
Want a deeper dive?
If a morning of coffee and conservation sounds perfect, be at the Zoo June 24 at 9:30am to hear about what it takes for Sam and his team to save endangered macaws in Central America. Tickets are $4 for members, $8 for nonmembers. Call 317-630-2000 or register online. |
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| The sounds of summer are here again! |
Zoolapalooza Concert Series
June 16, 23, 30; July 7, 14 • 5:30-8:30pm • Bicentennial Pavilion
Zoolapalooza concerts are getting bigger and better this summer! Eat, drink, dance and be merry for an additional night under the all-new Bicentennial Pavilion. This incredibly fun night out is a great way to kick off summer weekends on Friday evenings.
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Here's what you need to know:
Music: Performed live from 5:30-8:30pm
Food: Specialty food stations feature a new menu for purchase each night
Beverages: A full bar, featuring beer sampling for those 21 years and older
Activities: Kids will enjoy playing with instruments, animal artifacts and a friendly game of tic-tac-toe
Animals: On exhibit until 7pm
Rides: Available until 7pm.
Members-only perk! Ride tickets are only $1 per ride from 5-7pm
Get the full lineup of Zoolapalooza performers and menus. |
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| Indianapolis Prize judging begins in June |
 Every other year many of the world's most distinguished scientists and conservation leaders commit their support to honoring heroes in the world of wildlife. The members of the Indianapolis Prize Nominating Committee and Jury, comprised of world renowned conservation scientists, Indianapolis community leaders and Indianapolis Zoological Society staff are tasked with determining the Finalists and Winner of this respected and prestigious award.
June 1 kicks off the first round of judging for the 2018 Indianapolis Prize. The Nominating Committee reviews applications and selects six individuals to be the Finalists. From there the Finalists impressive achievements are discussed by the Jury, who will choose the Winner of the world's leading award for animal conservation.
 For current Indianapolis Prize news and inspiring conservation stories, subscribe to the Indianapolis Prize EDGE, a contemporary take on conservation news. See recent editions and sign up for the quarterly newsletter by clicking here. |
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| I wonder ... |
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When you meet the toco toucan at this summer's Magnificent Macaws presentations, you'll see a truly impressive beak. The toco toucan has the largest bill-to-body ratio of all birds — and it's not just for show. Within the toucan's bill is a network of blood vessels that research suggests help the bird thermoregulate, or control its body temperature. The bill isn't insulated, so blood that passes through it can release excess heat. When the bird is cold, these same blood vessels contract, keeping more blood inside the bird's feather-covered body to stay warm.
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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| In the know |
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, May 26 for our members-only preview of Magnificent Macaws, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers. We've arranged four special presentation times just for you — 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 4:30pm. The presentations begin promptly, and space is limited, so plan ahead!
Also, just a quick note to remind you all that the Zoo is closed  on Friday, June 9 for Zoobilation. But fear not! We will open at 9am the following day as usual.
See you at the Zoo! |
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| What's Growing On |
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Greening Up
When visiting the Indianapolis Zoo, there is a lot to see around the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center. As you ride the Skyline or watch the orangutans climb their trail, have you ever taken a glance at what is on top of the iconic structure? It is probably one of the less noticed gems of the Zoo. As part of its original "green" design, two green roofs totaling approximately 6,400 square feet make up the majority of the roof structure of the Center. Also known as a living roof, a green roof is comprised of plant life that is planted in a lightweight substrate chosen for its good drainage and its ability to be supported by the building. Read more ... |
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| This photo is not faked! |
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| Special thanks to Meghan Clinton |
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 May issue, our Naturally Inspired Paint Out Day artists proudly displayed their work! Did you visit and create an animal-themed work of art with us?
We're really, really excited for the premiere of Magnificent Macaws presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers. We've been seeing the birds pass overhead during their practice flights, but we're not always sure which ones we're looking at. We need your help. LOOK! One flew past us just now! Did you see it? Can you find it? When 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: Tricia S., Carmel; Kristin W., Bargersville; Janell C., Indianapolis; Allie B., Westfield; Joseph W., New Palestine; and our wild card winner, Ameara E., Beech Grove. |
| Don't miss out |
May 24
Zoopolis 500 • 10:30am-12:30pm
presented by American Dairy Association |
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June 9
Zoobilation 2017: Tropical Adventure
presented by Indianapolis Power & Light Company
Sold out • Zoo closed
Special thanks to our title sponsor, Indianapolis Power & Light Company; Premium Experience sponsor, Ice Miller LLP; entertainment sponsor, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP; arrival carpet sponsor, Moser Consulting; beverage sponsor, Republic National Distributing Company.
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| Special thanks |
Click here to view a complete list of Indianapolis Zoo sponsors! |
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Operating Hours
May 25
9am-4pm, Monday-Thursday;
9am-5pm, Friday-Sunday
May 26-Sept. 4
9am-5pm, Monday-Thursday;
9am-7pm, Friday-Sunday
ZOO CLOSED Friday, June 9 for Zoobilation
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The Indianapolis Zoo empowers people and communities,
both locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. |
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| Photo credits: Sitka and Juneau, Willie Ortiz; Zoopolis 500 tortoise, Liz Findley; toco toucan (close-up), Natural Encounters Inc; Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center roof, Anthony Mayer; girl and orangutan, Meghan Clinton. |
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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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