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VIP Experiences
Exclusive behind-the-scenes encounters to take your Zoo trip to next level!

VIP Experiences

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Elephant Up-Close

This half-day one-of-a-kind exclusive experience allows you access to our keeper staff and elephants!

Your special day includes:

  • Morning bath time with our elephants
  • Gourmet lunch with keeper staff
  • Elephant training and enrichment
  • Special opportunity to meet Zahara and her baby calf, Jabari
  • Personalized elephant painting

*Participants must be 14 years old and be at least 3 feet 6 inches tall.

Cost: $1,000 per person
Schedule: Tuesdays (January-March)
Time: 10am-2pm

For questions about this program please contact VIP@indyzoo.com or call 317-630-2006

  • Elephant Up-Close Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the cost?

    • $1,000 per person

     

    What is included?

    • During this unforgettable day at the Indianapolis Zoo guests will be some of the first to meet and greet the newest member to our herd, Jabari. Guests will have the opportunity to bathe one of our elephants, learn and work alongside our animal care team spending the day learning the ins and outs of what it takes to be a zookeeper. Each person will receive a commemorative bag, plush and gift certificate for $50.00, redeemable in our Gift Shop, lite refreshments and lunch + custom elephant painting.

     

    How old do participants need to be?

    • Minimum of 14 years old.

     

    How tall do participants need to be?

    • Minimum of 42” tall.

     

    How long is the Elephant Up-Close?

    • Your honorary “Zookeeper for the Day” experience will last 4 hours.

     

    When should I arrive and where do I meet?

    • Guests will arrive at the Pulliam Administration Building (1200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222). The entrance to this lot is west of the main zoo lot. Participants should park in a spot marked visitor and proceed to the Pulliam Center to check-in.
      • 9:45 am – Guests will go to security window upon arrival where a keeper will be waiting. Guests will fill out paperwork/liability waiver unless done prior to arrival.
      • 10:00 am – Arrive at elephant.  30 minutes of classroom time, including safety briefing and training overview including methods, terminology, small training games.
      • 10:30 am – 11:30 am – Assist staff with bathing multiple elephants, scrubbing, possibly hosing elephants.
      • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Observe shifting, cleaning barn, set up feeding for lunch, some diet prep for training.
      • 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Catered lunch with a member of the animal care team.
      • 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Afternoon training session, diet prep for training.  Guests can help with reinforcement delivery.
      • 1:30-2PM- Elephant Behind-the-Scenes with painting and photographs with elephant (Tombi or Kubwa).

     

    What do I wear?

    • Comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty or wet.

     

    Will I get to touch an elephant?

    • Yes.

     

    Will I get to feed an elephant?

    • Yes.

     

    Can I take photos?

    • Yes. Guests are encouraged to bring their own devices to capture photos/videos as photographers will not be provided during this experience. Our animal care staff will be able to capture special moments at certain times during the program.

     

    Can I participate if I have a disability or special need?

    • Yes.

     

    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 317-630-2006 and we will reschedule you.
Dolphin Up-Close

This half-day one-of-a-kind exclusive experience allows you access to our trainer staff and dolphins!

Your special day includes:

  • Behind the scenes tour of our dolphin and sea lion habitats
  • Opportunity to feed our dolphins
  • On stage training and enrichment with our dolphins during one of our dolphin presentations
  • Gourmet lunch with trainer staff

*Participants must be 14 years old and be at least 3 feet 6 inches tall.

Cost: $1,000 per person
Schedule: Wednesdays (January-March)
Time: 8am-12pm

For questions about this program please contact VIP@indyzoo.com or call 317-630-2006

 

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  • Dolphin Up-Close Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the cost?

    • $1,000 per person

     

    What is included?

    • During this unforgettable day at the Indianapolis Zoo guests will spend the day working alongside our Oceans staff seeing and hearing firsthand what goes into providing world-class animal care. Each person will receive a commemorative bag, plush and gift certificate for $50.00, redeemable in our Gift Shop, lite refreshments and lunch + memento dolphin painting.

     

    How old do participants need to be?

    • Minimum of 14 years old.

     

    How tall do participants need to be?

    • Minimum of 54” tall.

     

    How long is the Dolphin Up-Close?

    • Your honorary “Dolphin Trainer for the Day” experience will last 4 hours.

     

    When should I arrive and where do I meet?

    • Guests will arrive at the Pulliam Administration Building (1200 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46222). The entrance to this lot is west of the main zoo lot. Participants should park in a spot marked visitor and proceed to the Pulliam Center to check-in.
      • 7:45 am – Guests will go to security window upon arrival where a guest services representative will be waiting. Guests will fill out paperwork/liability waiver unless done prior to arrival.
      • 8:00 am – 9:00 am – Guests would participate in the first dolphin feed.
      • 9:00 am – 9:45 am – Guests would observe the sea lion feed from the front of the exhibit; afterward, participants would assist with feeding seal and sea lions.
      • 9:45 am – 10:10 am – Guest would create enrichment or observe a walrus training session.
      • 10:10 am – 10:50 am – Assist and be on stage during our dolphin presentation. Participants would be suited up at this time working alongside our trainers to conduct the training session and presentation.
      • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm – Catered lunch with a member of the animal care team.

     

     

    What do I wear?

    • Comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting dirty or wet.

     

    Will I get to touch a dolphin?

    • Yes.

     

    Will I get to feed a dolphin?

    • Yes.

     

    Can I take photos?

    • Yes. Guests are encouraged to bring their own devices to capture photos/videos as photographers will not be provided during this experience. Participants will not have access to their devices during the time that they are on stage during our Dolphin Presentation.

     

    Can I participate if I have a disability or special need?

    • Yes.

     

    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, 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 317-630-2006 and we will reschedule you.