Our two Alaskan brown bears, Kiak and Mi-kal, are the largest members of our forest biome. Kiak and Mi-kal both joined our Zoo family after they were found as orphaned cubs. Over the years, these two have become inseparable and can often be seen chasing each other and playing together. While bears are mostly known for their size and strength, they serve a crucial role in their environment. Being apex predators, their primary ecological purpose is keeping populations of their prey in check. By eating species like deer and moose, they help prevent overgrazing in forests which allows young tree saplings to grow. Being omnivores, they also eat nuts, berries and fruit which helps spread new seeds all over their territory.
While brown bear populations are typically healthy and productive, conflicts with humans and habitat destruction are serious concerns. Bears have an excellent memory and often return to places where they have found food in the past. This means popular campsites, hiking trails and tourist attractions can be prime locations for bears to find a snack. Kiak and Mi-kal are ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild, teaching guests everyday about the importance of animal conservation. Through the Animal Amigo program, you support the care of our bears here at the Zoo and support the Indianapolis Zoo’s brown bear conservation efforts globally.
For a donation of $50 or more, you’ll receive an Animal Amigo package, which includes one elephant plush, photo, certificate, trading card and recognition on the Animal Amigo donor board.*
*Animal Amigo donor board is located inside the Oceans building and updated each March with the previous year’s donors.
From our youngest elephant, Zahara, to the matriarch, Sophi, your gift will support our herd of six elephants.
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Stop by the lion chat to watch your support in action as our Zookeepers provide care and training for our pride.
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Our three impressive cats are ambassadors for their species, helping guests understand the challenges endangered tigers face in the wild.
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Your gift helps guests connect with our pod of 10 energetic dolphins through educational programs like our free Dolphin Presentations.
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Visit the sea lion habitat where your support helps us provide a home to our rescued marine mammals.
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Take a trip to our cheetah exhibit and test your speed at the Race-A-Cheetah attraction. Then consider supporting these cats as your Animal Amigo.
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As the only zoo in the country with long-tailed macaques, your gift will help our visitors get to know this unique and playful primate species.
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See our flocks flying through the Zoo during the Magnificent Macaw presentation. Our daily chats are all made possible with help from your gift.
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Guests come face to face with these adorable Desert dwellers during meerkat chats. Your support as an Animal Amigo helps us provide these educational opportunities.
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From our dominant male Azy to our youngest ape Mila, your gift helps each of our unique orangutans at the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center.
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Our walrus Aurora and Pakak weigh more than 3,000 pounds combined — and they eat around 10 times that much seafood in a year! Your support helps provide all that fish.
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A red panda’s diet includes bamboo, acorns, insects, eggs and fruits. Help provide Sampson and Nyima with all their favorite foods as an Animal Amigo.
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Help our guests get to know the world’s tallest land mammal. Support our giraffe herd through the Animal Amigo program.
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With your gift to the Animal Amigo program, you’re helping to provide the highest-quality care for our active troop of ring-tailed lemurs.
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Support the penguins at the Zoo through the Animal Amigo program. Watch your support in action during a penguin feed!
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Several of the sloths you’ll meet at MISTery Park were rehabilitated at APPC, a wildlife rescue center in Panama. Help sloths here and in the wild as an Animal Amigo.
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As the threats to white rhinos increase in the wild, your support as an Animal Amigo helps us offer opportunities for guests to connect with this endangered species.
Learn MoreAnimal Amigo donations make great gifts! You can purchase one as an individual or as a group. However, please note that only one of each item will be enclosed per Animal Amigos packet.
