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connections links relationships making the finding the establishing the con·ser·v¯a'·tion 2008 ANNUAL REPORT Mission Statement connections links relationships The Indianapolis Zoo will empower people and communities, both making the finding the establishing the locally and globally, to advance animal conservation. There’s no question that zoos and aquariums Another example is the Cheetah exhibit in partnership with The Tony are among the most popular attractions in the United States. Stewart Foundation and made possible through the generosity of Polly Hix Poll after poll and survey after survey indicate that overwhelming and Tony Fair. It is scheduled to open in 2010 and will offer visitors close Shared Interests majorities of Americans look to the nation’s zoo communities as encounters with the most endangered of the big cat species. Visitors will then places for family visitation and that the public both appreciates have the opportunity to translate their interest (and perhaps passion, if we’re lucky) generated by the exhibit into direct action by supporting the Cheetah and enjoys what zoos offer. The general public’s fascination with Conservation Fund in Africa in its efforts to save cheetahs in the wild. animals of all kinds is demonstrated by the continued support given to the nation’s zoos and the zoo visitors’ views that they In 2008, we, in partnership with Lowe’s, were able to make the connection have gained important information from their encounter that between one of the most charismatic animals on the Earth–the magnificent polar bear–and the general public through a unique initiative called makes them more likely to help in animal conservation. MyCarbonPledge.com. Utilizing this web site, which detailed the threats to What is also evident is that zoos have changed tremendously throughout polar bears from disappearing and shrinking sea ice due to climate change, the last decades, evolving into places where exotic animals are not we gave web visitors the chance to make a difference by pledging to replace simply displayed for the public’s pleasure but are exhibited, housed, incandescent light bulbs with the more energy-efficient CFL bulbs. interpreted, and managed in a way that promotes the conservation A more direct animal connection came in late 2008, when we had the of threatened and endangered species. Certainly that is the mission privilege of honoring a real icon of animal conservation, Dr. George of the Indianapolis Zoo, where we have affirmed our commitment to Schaller, with the biennial Indianapolis Prize. Schaller, whose leadership in conservation, as well as taken the next logical step in making us one of the most remarkable zoos in the world. groundbreaking field biology and research has inspired and informed more than one generation of eager students, was guided by Zoo staff in making Not only are our exhibits, programs, and interpretative elements, that local/global connection in a variety of ways. such as signage, becoming more global in approach, we are increasingly producing exhibits that serve as “gateways,” connecting the local It’s all about finding the links, establishing the relationships, and forming the community to animals in the wild and the researchers and caregivers alliances that will accomplish the strategic goals of preserving the natural working in those animals’ home ranges to keep them safe. world, not only for ourselves but for our children and their children. That’s what 2008 was about, what this year will be about, and what will be the One good example is Oceans presented by Old National Bank, which focus of the years ahead. combines a variety of experiential learning opportunities that impress upon visitors a holistic view of oceans, marine mammals, fishes, habitats, Your support makes that possible. Thank you. and the forces that affect them–most notably climate change. Within Oceans, visitors go from a true “touch and feel” experience, such as 2 3 petting a shark, to a “virtual” activity, such as taking a computer survey on what they learned about marine life. We even provide visitors with a wallet-size card from Seafood Watch that details which food fishes are Michael I. Crowther Pawel Fludzinski okay or not okay to consume based on the fishes’ level of sustainability. President & CEO Chairman of the Board 1: a careful preservation and protection of something; esp. planned management of a natural resource to prevent con·ser·v¯a'·tion exploitation, destruction, or neglect Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary An endangered species is a population of an Wildlife conservation is the process of individuals and organizations organism that is at risk of becoming extinct because it is few protecting and preserving these threatened and endangered species in numbers and/or is threatened by changing environment. through conservation education, preservation of habitat, and Human influence over the Earth’s ecosystems has been so management of fish and wildlife. There are many wildlife conservation extensive throughout the last 10,000 years that scientists have societies and organizations that work tirelessly to save wild lands difficulty estimating the total number of animal species that and wildlife through international conservation and education. became extinct during this era. The rates of deforestation, These groups strive to change attitudes toward nature and protect reef destruction, wetlands filling, and other human acts are natural areas and wild populations of plants and animals, including proceeding much faster than the human assessment of the endangered species. Earth’s species. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has One of the most recognizable categories of conservation groups is calculated the percentage of endangered species as 40 percent accredited zoos, aquariums and sanctuaries. Utilizing a combination of all organisms based on the sample of species that have been of techniques, zoos have joined the fight to conserve wild things evaluated through 2006. Only a few of the many species at risk and wild places. These include research on grounds and in the wild; of extinction actually make the list. Many more species become management and breeding of threatened and endangered species; extinct, or potentially will become extinct, without the public educational programming; green management of resources, including ever knowing. recycling; promotion of local, regional, national, and international Overpopulation of humans on Earth has been the main threat. wildlife conservation efforts; and more. With overpopulation comes mass agriculture, deforestation, This report details how the Indianapolis Zoo, a leader in overgrazing, slash-and-burn urban development, pesticide use, and conservation, brings these concepts to life. 4 global warming. Basically, as the human impact on the environment 5 increases, the diversity of life decreases. Humans are constantly using the resources and space of other species for themselves, negatively impacting the survival rate of many creatures. Conserving the Natural World One of the world’s foremost authorities Holding said: “Thirsty elephants usually rush head-long into water and on the African elephant, Iain Douglas-Hamilton, was one of splash with abandon, but this group did something I had never seen before. the finalists for the 2008 Indianapolis Prize and is the founder They approached the pool quietly and stepped in very slowly, making as of Save the Elephants, an organization devoted to preserving little disturbance as possible. And then, remarkably, one after another, these most fascinating members of the animal kingdom. If you the elephants began to carefully sweep their trunk tips across the surface, visit the Save the Elephants web site, you’ll find a tremendous delicately siphoning the few centimeters of clear liquid from the mud below.” amount of information on elephants, including this recounting The filmmaker says he has never seen the elephants use their trunks in this of a recent encounter between a wildlife cameraman and a way before. He said: “I have spent countless days in the company of elephants, herd of wild elephants in Botswana. Kenya-born Mike Holding and I believe this was a timely reminder that however much we think we is an accomplished director and cinematographer of wildlife know about elephants, they always surprise us with some new and intelligent documentary films and docudramas for international television piece of behavior.” and has won numerous international awards over the years in recognition of his diverse talents. He was working on a BBC The lesson is even if you spend a lifetime exploring the natural world, documentary on elephants when he discovered that they were you’ll never know everything about it. That’s why we do what we do apparently using their trunks to siphon off clean water from here, as well as why we support the efforts of conservationists around the tops of dirty pools. the world, making possible the connections between researchers in the field and their benefactors here at home. 6 7 Conservation Impacts When we consider what research projects Charles Foley founded the Tarangire Elephant Project, and the to pursue, we ask ourselves whether they are compatible with Indianapolis Zoo is its largest contributor. Those funds have been institutional interests and values and managed in a manner that used to help protect the fastest-growing population of African enhances their probability of success. Such work is a direct elephants on the continent by keeping their migration routes open investment in the future, and has the potential to directly impact and free of poachers. The Project is working with local communities the long-term survival–or extinction–of numerous species. and tour operators to protect the main dispersal area of the northern subpopulation of elephants. Under an agreement with the local The Indianapolis Zoo pursues two different types of scientific inquiry villagers, the area is used for livestock grazing and tourism, thus to these ends–conservation and research. Through our conservation protecting both wildlife habitat and traditional grazing areas while programs, we aim to impact directly the wild places in which animals supplying revenue to the village and its Maasai residents.

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