Escaped Chimp Safely Returned to Enclosure, Confirms Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo confirmed that a female chimpanzee, believed to be named Mara, was safely returned to her enclosure after escaping on November 14, 2025. The incident began when fire crews responded to an emergency call related to an “animal bite” at approximately 10:10 a.m.
Incident Overview
By 11 a.m., the situation escalated into an “investigation” at the zoo located at 1200 W. Washington St. Shortly after noon, the zoo issued a statement confirming the chimpanzee had been sedated and safely escorted back to her exhibit.
Safety Measures Implemented
The email from the Indianapolis Zoo reassured the public that all guests were safe during the incident. There were no reported injuries to visitors, staff, or the chimpanzee. The zoo emphasized that its security, animal care, and veterinary teams trained for such events and responded effectively.
Visitor Experience
- Guests were briefly instructed to seek shelter in secure areas, such as the dolphin exhibit.
- Some individuals were escorted from the zoo premises.
A bus driver, Sherman Williams, who was leading a field trip with 37 children, expressed his concern on social media about the escape. He reported that the children were safely returned to their bus during the chaos.
Related Events
This escape follows a recent incident where two endangered tortoises were stolen from the zoo but had been recovered. The tortoises were found abandoned in a box at a park in Pendleton, about 50 minutes northeast of Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis Zoo has since resumed normal operations and has reiterated its commitment to guest safety and animal care.
