Panic at Indianapolis Zoo: Chimpanzee Escape Triggers Dramatic Lockdown and Rescue Footage

BREAKING INCIDENT: FEMALE CHIMPANZEE MARA TEMPORARILY LOOSE AT INDIANAPOLIS ZOO Visitors to the Indianapolis Zoo were thrust into an unexpected lockdown late Friday morning after a female chimpanzee, believed to be Mara, found a way out of the International Chimpanzee Complex around 10 a.m. on 14 November 2025. EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND VISITOR SHELTER‐IN‐PLACE Within minutes of the first sighting, the Indianapolis Fire Department was dispatched on an “animal bite” call at 10:10 a.m., prompting zoo officials to direct guests into secure indoor areas such as the Dolphin Pavilion or back to their vehicles. Social-media posts from a school bus driver on a field trip described 37 children being ushered quickly to safety while keepers attempted to sedate the roaming ape. SAFE RECAPTURE AND ZOO STATEMENT Shortly before noon, zoo security and veterinary teams successfully tranquilized Mara and guided her back into the habitat. A zoo spokesperson confirmed that “guests were safe at all times” and reported zero injuries to visitors, staff or the animal. Normal operations resumed at 12 p.m., just two hours after the escape began. WHY DID THE CHIMP GET OUT? Preliminary checks suggest Mara exploited an unsecured section of the multi-level trail system that lets chimpanzees traverse hundreds of feet of climbing structures. The International Chimpanzee Complex, unveiled in May 2024, is designed to prioritize ape choice and mobility; it can house up to 30 chimps and uses elevated “sky trails” to connect indoor and outdoor spaces. Zoo engineers are now inspecting the exhibit to ensure no repeat breach. RECENT SECURITY HEADLINES AT THE ZOO Today’s scare comes just weeks after two endangered tortoises were stolen and later recovered off-site, raising fresh questions about perimeter checks and overnight monitoring. Zoo CEO Dr. Rob Shumaker said after that incident that “continuous evaluation of protocols is part of our culture,” a sentiment likely to shape the forthcoming review of chimp barriers announced this afternoon. HOW GUESTS CAN PLAN A SAFE VISIT • Check the zoo’s official social channels for real-time status updates before arriving. • Follow staff instructions immediately if a shelter-in-place alert sounds. • Know indoors cover: Dolphin Pavilion, Oceans Building and Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center are designated safe zones. ANIMAL WELFARE AND NEXT STEPS Veterinary staff report Mara suffered no ill effects from the tranquilizer and rejoined her troop without incident. Behavioral experts will monitor her over the next 48 hours for stress signals. Findings from the internal safety audit will be shared with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to inform best practices nationwide. For now, Indianapolis Zoo officials emphasize that rigorous emergency drills—combined with quick-thinking staff—prevented a frightening situation from becoming a tragedy, and invite the public to continue supporting conservation programs as the facility reopens under heightened vigilance.