A visitors guide to the Indianapolis Zoo

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (WOTV) - The Indianapolis Zoo is located in White River State Park downtown Indianapolis and is a world-class zoo hosting a million visitors each year and playing a major role in worldwide conservation and research.

The zoo is split up into five biomes, which are living habitats for the animals that attempts to replicate their natural habitat as much as possible. Animals are clustered in groups inside exhibits with similar habitats like forests, oceans, deserts and plains.  In addition to the exhibits, the Indianapolis Zoo also gives guests special opportunities to discover the zoo beyond the usual visit. Each experience is unique and brings participants closer to the beauty and wonder of the natural world

Animal Art Adventure: An Animal Art Adventure takes guests behind the scenes where one of the zoo's talented animal artists will create a personalized painting to take home. With four different art adventures to choose from — elephant, penguin, pinniped and dolphin — there is a special experience for every animal lover.

Dolphin In-Water Adventure: The Dolphin In-Water Adventure gives guests the opportunity to meet dolphins up close and personal with an experience of a lifetime. Participants will meet a dolphin in the pool, learn hand signals for behaviors and reward a dolphin with fish.

Dolphin Trainer 101: This new opportunity is for young adults ages 10-14. Teens can participant behind the scenes to learn about dolphins, trainers, and other marine mammals. On the second day, participants will get in the water for a Dolphin In-Water Adventure!

Junior Dolphin Trainer: The Junior Dolphin Trainer program offers a close-up encounter for the little marine mammal lover in the family. Purchase your Junior Dolphin Trainer ticket at the admissions window when you arrive at the Zoo, and you will be assigned a dolphin show to attend, plus a special badge.

Here are some insider tips from the Indianapolis Zoo is you plan to make a visit:

• During warm weather, the animals are more active in the mornings when it is cooler, so it's important to start your visit early.
• During the winter months, not all animals will be on exhibit. The plains biome animals, for example, do not go on exhibit until warm weather arrives.
• Take advantage by reading the many signs and graphics that are posted throughout the zoo. They contain interesting and educational information about our animals and plants.
• If you arrive at the zoo later in the day, you may wish to go to the plains biome first to assure you have a chance to see all the animals of the African plains before they go inside for the evening.
• Please keep in mind that the zoo is very busy toward the end of the school year (especially in the month of May) as schools take their field trips to the Zoo during weekdays. You may wish to plan for a weekend visit during this time.
• During really hot weather, the zoo has misting stations for visitors. You may wish to bring a change of clothes for the children; they will get wet.
• In order to find a good seat for the daily dolphin shows, visitors need to pick up a ticket to a particular dolphin show as they enter the admission gates.  There is no charge for the show - the ticket helps us insure that our guests are able to attend the very popular shows.
• The best time for food service is a half-hour before and during the dolphin shows. The restaurants tend to become crowded right after the performance.

For more information call 317-630-2001 or visit the Indianapolis Zoo online .

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