IndIanapolIs Zoo annual RepoRt 2011

Continued from page 5.
impact of this very close encounter with one of the Earth’s
most spectacular wild creatures. Zoo visitors made an
immediate connection with these stunningly beautiful
and tragically rare animals.
Guest experiences ran the gamut from sheer awe to the
deepest happiness, gained from having such a suddenly
intimate encounter with an animal that possesses an
unsurpassed combination of power, intensity, beauty,
grace, and predatory instincts. Recognizing the tiger as
apex predator, however, is only one reaction. As witnessed
by the countless YouTube videos, Facebook postings
and hundreds of tweets on Twitter, young people are
fascinated. That’s exactly the impression we hoped for
because once emotionally invested, it’s a short journey
to being informed and then empowered to help save
wild tigers.
The announcement of the International Orangutan Center
late in 2011 brought our mission into even greater focus.
The International Orangutan Center will be the powerful
first step in the creation of a comprehensive International
Great Ape Center and in making the Indianapolis Zoo
an even stronger resource for leadership, education,
conservation, research, and economic development.
This is an exhibit that will change the world.
Creating change is what zoos, especially ours, is all about.
Not only are we an economic driver for our community,
we are leaders in promoting the practice of sustainability––
the process by which we will preserve the future for our
children. We conserve energy through green practices,
recycling and reusing materials and teaching the principles
of conserving the natural world. The Indianapolis Prize
honors those heroes around the globe who work daily to
save our most precious resources––the endangered wild
things and wild places of our planet.
We could not accomplish any of our programs and plans
without the support of the generous donors whose names
are included in this report and whose commitment to
the future we share and honor. The gifts you have given
are making a difference, and we are both humbled and
extraordinarily grateful for your trust.
With best regards,
alan H. cohen, chairman
Indianapolis Zoo Board of Trustees
Michael I. crowther, president & ceo
Indianapolis Zoo
7