Sloths are mostly known for how slow they move, but their slowness is one of their best adaptations. These slow movements allow sloths to go unnoticed by predators like jaguars, ocelots and eagles. Unlike other mammals, sloths spend most of their lives hanging upside down from tree limbs, only coming down to the ground once a week. Their long arms and specialized hook-like claws are essential for moving from tree to tree in search of leaves and fruit. Their arms also make them surprisingly good swimmers!
While sloths are not listed as an endangered species, they are vulnerable to human interactions. Deforestation for paper products and farmland has resulted in reduced and fragmented sloth habitat, the vibrant rainforests of Central and South America. Together with our partners at the Pan American Conservation Association, the Indianapolis Zoo has pledged to help our sloth friends and you can too! Through the Animal Amigo program, you support the care of the sloths at the Indianapolis Zoo, and help visitors learn more about what these species face in the wild.
For a donation of $50 or more, you’ll receive an Animal Amigo package, which includes a sloth 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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The cownose ray has heritage dating back to the Jurassic Period. Help further their species’ story through support from our Animal Amigo Program.
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Become an Animal Amigo today to help provide the food and care for our zebra herd as well as our other Plains species.
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Support the largest penguins at the Zoo through the Animal Amigo program. Watch the support in action during a penguin feed!
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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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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.
