Animal Adventures

Animal Adventure Gift Certificates Available Now

Give the Gift of Memories

Gift certificates are available for our Sloth Adventure, Elephant Bathing, and Animal Art Adventure. Gift certificates allow the recipient to schedule their adventure on their own time. Certificates are valid for one year from the date of purchase.

Click here to purchase yours today!

Dolphin Meet & Greet

Make Your Reservation!

You’re invited to come behind the scenes to get up close and personal with one of our amazing marine mammals!

Following one of the Zoo’s scheduled Dolphin Presentations, participants will be led to the back pools of the Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion. During this brief encounter, participants will have the opportunity for a quick interaction and each guest will get a double “high-five” from one of the members of the dolphin pod.

All participants must be at least 6 years of age and participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant. Starting September 5, participants must also stand at least 3 feet, 6 inches (42 inches) tall.

One paid adult participant must accompany every five youth participants under the age of 10. Individuals under the age of 6 are not able to participate or enter the Dolphin Meet and Greet area.

Cost: $20 per participant (does not include Zoo admission)

Dolphin Meet & Greet Frequently Asked Questions

How old do participants need to be?
All participants must be at least 6 years old. Individuals under the age of 6 are not able to participate or enter the Dolphin Meet and Greet area. Children aged 6-13 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant for the duration of the program.

Can I take photos?
Guests are encouraged to bring their own devices to capture photos/videos as photographers will not be provided during this experience. Due to needing both hands free, participants will not be able to “selfie” this experience, but the opportunity will be given for a paid member of your party to take photos/video of the interaction.

What is the experience like?
During this brief encounter, dolphin staff will ask participants to kneel on a mat at the edge of one of the behind the scenes pools to meet a dolphin up close. A dolphin will be called to the meet and greet location and you’ll have an opportunity to briefly hold their pectoral flippers. Participants will not be in the water but rather at the edge of the pool.

Can I participate if I have a disability or special need?
Yes. This program requires a short period of kneeling. If someone in your group has a special need or mobility issue, please contact us in advance so that we can better accommodate the need.

When should I arrive and where do I meet?
Participants should check in 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the Dolphin Presentation. Look for the Dolphin Meet and Greet check-in sign upon entering the Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Pavillion.

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.

Cockatoo Meet and Greet

You’re invited to have a close encounter with one of the Zoo’s cockatoo flock!

During this animal encounter, participants will go behind-the-scenes and have a brief interaction with a cockatoo, perched on their arm.

All participants must be at least 12 years of age, and participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cost: $20 per participant, which includes the participant’s experience and one complimentary observer. (does not include Zoo admission)

FOOD ALLERGY NOTICE: During this experience, both tree nuts and peanuts will be fed to the animals, and nuts will be present in the encounter space.

Make Your Reservation!

Cockatoo Meet and Greet FAQ

How old do participants need to be?
All participants must be at least 12 years old. Children ages 12–15 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.

Can I take photos?
Guests are encouraged to bring their own devices to capture photos/videos as photographers will not be provided during this experience. Participants will need to keep both hands free, so their observer will need to take photos/video for them.

What is the experience like?
During this brief encounter, participants and their observer will be guided behind-the-scenes. The participant experience will include a cockatoo perched on their arm/wrist. A member of the Zoo’s animal care team will be present to tell them about the individual bird they are meeting and ensure safety for both the participant and the bird. The experience happens behind-the-scenes of the Kangaroo Crossing habitat.

When should I arrive and where do I meet?
Participants should check in 15 minutes prior to the start of the experience. Look for sign at the Kangaroo Kiosk outside of the Kangaroo Crossing habitat.

I have a nut allergy. Can I participate in this experience?
At this time, we do not recommend that guests with a tree nut or peanut allergy participate in this experience. Cockatoos are fed nuts as part of their diet, and there is a chance of nut residue being present on the bird’s beak, feet or feathers. Nut shells may be present in the encounter space.

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.

Sloth Adventure

Experience sloth up-close and personal in our new sloth adventure. Participants of this program will meet and learn about one of the Zoo’s sloths. As a guest of this experience you will have an opportunity to feed the sloth. For animal and guest safety participants will not be able to hold a sloth. See our frequently asked questions below for more details.

All participants must be at least 6 years old and children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant.

RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

REDEEM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

To redeem a gift certificate purchased prior to 12/15/2022, please call 317-630-2180 for assistance with booking.

Cost per participant (does not include zoo admission):

Zoo Members: $54
Nonmembers: $60

Sloth Adventure Frequently Asked Questions

How old do I have to be?
All participants must be at least 6 years old. No one under the age of 6 will be allowed to attend or view a Sloth encounter. This includes infants.

Children aged 6-14 must be accompanied by an adult, not to exceed 4 people total.

How long is the encounter?
Your total adventure will be around 25-30 minutes.

Will I get to hold a sloth?
For safety reasons, guests will not be able to hold a sloth during this encounter.

Will I get to touch a sloth?
We will leave this up to the sloth and how they are feeling that day. You may get to touch, but we cannot guarantee that for every guest.

Will I get to feed a sloth?
Yes! Guests will have the opportunity to feed our sloths part of their meals for the day. Please note that the sloths may choose not to eat the food offered to them, and we can’t guarantee that they will take what is offered.

Can I take photos?
Guests are welcome to take photos, but no flash is permitted. Guests must stay in the area designated by zoo staff while taking pictures.

Can I participate if I have a disability or special need?
We will make every effort to make all Animal Adventures accessible to all guests. Please contact us at edustaff@indyzoo.com prior to registering to discuss accessibility.

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.

Rhino Adventure

Go behind the scenes and meet one of our White Rhinos! This experience allows guests to spend time with our rhinos and learn about what makes them unique. Guests will have the opportunity to touch one of our rhinos.

Cost per participant (does not include zoo admission):

Zoo Members: $68
Nonmembers: $75

All participants must be at least 6 years of age and participants under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant. This program does not include Zoo admission.

RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

REDEEM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

Rhino Adventure Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.

Aardvark Adventure

Meet Adazee the aardvark in this new animal encounter. Participants will spend time with Adazee and learn what makes aardvarks unique in the animal kingdom. During this program guests will have an opportunity to get up-close and take a photo with an aardvark.

All participants must be at least 12 years old and children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant.

RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

REDEEM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

To redeem a gift certificate purchased prior to 12/15/2022, please call 317-630-2180 for assistance with booking.

Cost per participant (does not include zoo admission):

Zoo Members: $27
Nonmembers: $30

Program runs Sundays at 1pm.

Aardvark Adventure Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.

Have Tons of Fun During Your Next Zoo Visit!

Elephant Bathing Experience

Here’s your opportunity to experience firsthand what it is like to bathe an elephant. In this program, participants will help scrub down one of our African elephants and learn what it takes to care for these amazing animals.

All participants must be at least 6 years old and children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult participant.

Cost per participant (does not include zoo admission):

Zoo Members $68
Nonmembers $75

RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

REDEEM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

To redeem a gift certificate purchased prior to 12/15/2022, please call 317-630-2180 for assistance with booking.

Elephant Bathing Experience Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.

A Colorful Encounter

Animal Art Adventures

The Zoo has lots of talented animal artists who can create a one-of-a-kind work of art just for you! These special experiences allow a group of up to 4 guests to watch one of our animal artists create a personalized painting just for you.

Animal Artists

Elephant – Ages 6 and up – Offered year-round
Rhino – Ages 6 and up – Offered in the summer
Penguin – Ages 6 and up – Offered in the summer
Walrus – Ages 6 and up – Offered in the summer
Orangutan – Ages 12 and up – Offered year-round
Dolphin – Ages 6 and up – Offered Jan, Feb, & Nov

RESERVE YOUR EXPERIENCE!

PURCHASE A GIFT CERTIFICATE

REDEEM YOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE

Cost per session

Each session can accommodate up to four people and includes Zoo admission. Participants of an Animal Adventure must be at least 6 years old and participants of Orangutan Art Adventures must be at least 12 years old. Participants aged 6 to 13 must have an adult participant present, not to exceed 4 people total.

Zoo Members: $250
Nonmembers: $330

Some animal art adventures may include stairs, uneven terrain, or small spaces. If someone in the group has a special need or mobility issue, please contact us in advance so that we can better accommodate the need.

Animal Art Adventure Frequently Asked Questions

What if I get exposed to COVID-19 before my experience?
Please note that if you or a member of your party have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, or has confirmed exposure to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus), or any mutation or variation thereof, within the last 14 (fourteen days) you will be unable to do this experience. If you have already been reserved your experience, please call us 317-630-2000 and we will reschedule you.