Thompson Park Conservancy and Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoological Society will develop an online database that describes specific program animals (animals used in educational programs and demonstrations), appropriate types of programs for their use, the estimated cost of using a particular animal, safety concerns, handling information, best practices, case studies, and contact information for individuals with species-specific expertise. The database will be searchable by taxa, keywords, and project type. The zoo will create an advisory board that includes members from across the country from American Zoo and Aquarium Association-accredited institutions, science centers, and nature centers, as museums of many disciplines, not just zoos and aquariums, use program animals. A centralized, Web-accessible database with this information will enable museums and zoos to make informed decisions about the types of animals they use in programs and how they care for these animals.