[2] The Indianapolis Zoo is situated within White River State Park, about 1 mi (1.6 km) west of Monument Circle on the eastern edge of the Near Westside neighborhood area.

The White River hugs the zoo's northern and eastern boundaries, physically separating the facility from downtown Indianapolis.

Visitors arriving by car access the parking lot from West Washington Street, which forms the zoo's southern boundary.

[12] The bridge was preserved and renovated in the 1990s to carry non-motorized traffic between downtown and the zoo's east entrance at White River Gardens.

[13][14] Limited in number and species, Indianapolis's earliest captive animals were located in small exhibits at various city parks.

The zoo originally featured an Asian elephant, penguins, kangaroos, foxes, raccoons, camels, bison, deer, lambs, tortoises, llamas, prairie dogs, pygmy goats, and buffalo exhibits.

[27] Dr. Robert Shumaker was appointed president in 2016 and assumed the role of chief executive officer in January 2020, following Crowther's retirement.

[1] Since 2020, the zoo has debuted three exhibitions: Elephant Tembo Camp (2020), Alligators & Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive (2021), and Kangaroo Crossing (2022), with a total investment of nearly $4.8 million.

[2] The Indianapolis Zoo is organized around the concept of biomes, or areas of the planet with similar climates, plants, and animals.

[3] As of June 2022[update], the Deserts biome contains the following:[29] Deserts Dome Size, Speed & Venom: Extreme Snakes As of June 2022[update], Flights of Fancy contains the following:[30] Budgie and Lorikeet Aviaries Flamingo Pool Other animals As of June 2022[update], the Forests biome contains the following:[33] Alligators & Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive International Chimpanzee Complex Kangaroo Crossing Magnificent Macaws Other animals Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center Tiger Forest As of June 2022[update], the Oceans biome contains the following:[34] Aquaria Ascension St. Vincent Dolphin Pavilion Penguin Hall Sea Lion & Seal Sharing One World: Long-Tailed Macaques Walrus Complex As of June 2022[update], the Plains biome contains the following:[35] The Indianapolis Zoo offers several seasonal amusement rides, animal feedings, rotating exhibits, and presentations for zoo visitors.

As of June 2022[update], general admission costs cover seven "featured attractions" at the zoo, including zookeeper-led presentations highlighting the zoo's dolphins, macaws (Magnificent Macaws), and African elephants (Tembo Camp); Shark/Ray Touch Pool; Kangaroo Crossing; Alligators & Crocodiles: The Fight to Survive; and Race A Cheetah.

Tickets purchased at additional cost permit visitors to feed flamingos, budgerigars, lorikeets, or giraffes; and enjoy four rides, including the Endangered Species Carousel (carousel); Kōmbo Family Coaster (roller coaster); Skyline (gondola lift); and the White River Junction Train (train ride).

The outdoor event takes place each June on the zoo grounds, featuring live music and food and beverages from area restaurants.

Held annually each October, the Indianapolis Zoo is decorated in recognition of Halloween; ZooBoo encourages guests to wear costumes for trick-or-treating and special programming.

The Indianapolis Zoo, in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, is supporting the IUCN's project documenting the known effects of climate change on wildlife habitats.

[43] In February 2020, the Indianapolis Zoo hosted a conference convening veterinarians, scientists, and zookeepers from across the U.S. to learn from the case and advance research to benefit conservation efforts.

Dr. Robert Shumaker, current president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Zoo, has worked with Azy in cognitive learning since 1984.

Concerns about the health of the captive mammals, their use in entertainment, and the results of the zoo's dolphin breeding program have been chief among advocates' complaints.

[55] On July 17, 2005, a pack of stray dogs breached the zoo's Australian Plains exhibit, killing two black swans, three magpie geese, and three emus.

[59] On January 19, 2009, 15 bonnethead sharks in the zoo's Oceans exhibit died after staff failed to reopen a valve regulating ozone while the tank was undergoing routine maintenance.

The incident prompted zoo officials to reevaluate staff training, repair procedures, and life-support system design.

[60] Since its debut in 2014, the zoo's Skyline gondola lift has experienced various technical malfunctions that have stranded passengers in midair on a number of occasions.

[64][65] In the months following the incident, fencing was added to the cheetah exhibit as part of the zoo's ongoing investments in enclosure safety.

[68] Dedicated in 1999, artist Andrew Reid's Midwestern Panorama is a cylindrical mural located inside the Bud Schaefer Rotunda of White River Gardens.

[69] Artist Arthur Kraft's Wynkin, Blynkin and Nod are three bronze penguin statues with a silver ball located in the zoo's Oceans building.

Originally displayed at Glendale Town Center from October 1960 to July 2016, the sculptures were loaned to the zoo by owner Kite Realty Group.

[70] On December 14, 2017, an Indiana limestone sculpture of Azy (by artist David Petlowany) was unveiled near the zoo's entrance in honor of the resident orangutan's 40th birthday.