Shumaker, who led the Indianapolis Zoo for a decade, began a leave of absence for undisclosed reasons in mid-February.
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Rob Shumaker joined the zoo in 2010 and was named president and CEO in 2020.
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The attractions generate little or no revenue and are expensive to maintain, the Indianapolis Zoo’s CEO said.
In the past decade, the zoo has seen substantial growth of its wildlife and educational offerings, with the addition of dedicated exhibit areas for orangutans, kangaroos and, most recently, chimpanzees.
The Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc. awarded the prize to a scientist and biodiversity conservationist who has discovered several new species and led the establishment of four national protected areas.
Mwezi “Badru” Mugerwa will receive $50,000 to spend on his work to protect rarely seen African golden cats.
After not featuring an exhibit of chimpanzees in more than 35 years, the Indianapolis Zoo plans to showcase the primates in a big way starting May 25.
About 20 chimpanzees are expected to be on site when the $25 million exhibit opens to the public, with the facility able to accommodate up to 30 adult apes.
The Indianapolis Zoological Society Inc. on Monday announced Pablo Borboroglu, founder and president of the Global Penguin Society, as the 2023 winner of the Indianapolis Prize.
The Emerging Conservationist Award is a new honor affiliated with the Indianapolis Prize, a leading award for animal conservation.
The award from the operator of the Indianapolis Zoo recognizes conservationists who “have achieved major victories in saving an animal species or group of species.”
Already, the zoo has raised 60%, or $31.8 million, of its goal, with gifts from several institutions, including the Lilly Endowment.
To be named the Indianapolis Colts Welcome Center Plaza, the area will include a visitors center housing ticketing functions, restrooms, stroller rental and other amenities for guests.
People can watch the American alligator in a swampy habitat resembling the southeast U.S., as well as see the Orinoco crocodile in a home that mimics the tropical river basins of Colombia and Venezuela.
The Indy Attraction Pass offers bundled access to Conner Prairie, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Zoo and The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
The zoo told volunteers on Tuesday that the decision was made to “support the health and safety of our community.”
A Canadian scientist described as the “preeminent authority on seahorse ecology and conservation” has won $250 prize from the Indianapolis Zoo, organizers announced Tuesday.
The Indianapolis Zoo on Tuesday announced the six finalists for this year’s $250,000 Indianapolis Prize, which is considered the world’s leading award for animal conservation.
Rob Shumaker, now president of the zoo, will take over as CEO for the retiring Michael Crowther in early January.
Plans call for the Global Center for Species Survival to employ a team of nine experts who will be based in Indianapolis and work with more than 9,000 wildlife experts worldwide to save threatened species.
The parcels, which are south of West Washington Street and east of South Harding Street, are expected to be turned into permanent parking lots and additional zoo exhibits in the coming years.
The zoo said 8-year-old Kalina died Tuesday, three days after first showing symptoms similar to those experienced by 6-year-old Nyah before her death on March 19 .
