Our white rhinos are a favorite of many Zoo guests. With their large horns and immense size, these mammals are one of the most recognizable species in the world. As mega herbivores, white rhinos consume large amounts of vegetation which helps to shape the African landscape. Due to their selective diet, they only graze certain plant species which allows for other slower growing plants to flourish. This results in greater plant diversity across the African plains and ensures that all herbivores have their desired food choice.
Like all our animals, the white rhinos at the Indianapolis Zoo are ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. Native to the savannahs of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya, rhinos are listed as a near-threatened species. Poaching for their horns, which are used in traditional Asian medicines and habitat fragmentation due to human development have severely impacted rhino populations across southern Africa. Through the Animal Amigo program, you support the care of our white rhinos at the Zoo and support the Indianapolis Zoo’s global conservation efforts.
For a donation of $50 or more, you’ll receive an Animal Amigo package which includes one white rhino plush, photo, certificate, trading card and recognition on the Animal Amigo donor board.*
Want to sponsor a different animal?
For a donation of $100 or more, sponsor one of the following animals: orangutan, American alligator, Orinoco crocodile, Amur tiger, walrus, lion, rhino, giraffe, brown bear, red panda, meerkat, flamingo, elephant, rockhopper penguin, dolphin, long-tailed macaque, ring-tailed lemur or macaw. You will receive a plush, photo, certificate and recognition on the Animal Amigo donor board.*
*Animal Amigo donor board is located inside the Oceans building at the Zoo.
The largest land mammal requires a lot of care, and your gift will support our herd of five 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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Support the American alligators and Orinoco crocodiles at the Zoo through the Animal Amigos program.
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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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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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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.
