Walk into the Indianapolis Zoo and you’ll see it immediately. A massive, 150-foot tower called the Beacon of Hope pierces the Indiana skyline. It looks like something out of a futuristic city, or maybe a high-tech research lab. Honestly, that’s exactly what the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center is.
But if you think this is just another cage at a zoo, you’re missing the point entirely.
Most people show up expecting to watch a few apes sit behind glass while eating bananas. Instead, they find themselves looking up. Way up. You’ll see a 300-pound male orangutan named Rocky dangling 80 feet in the air on a cable, staring back at you with a look that says he knows something you don't.
Why this place actually exists
The center didn't just happen. It cost $26 million and took years of obsessive planning. The goal wasn't to build a "pretty" exhibit with fake plastic trees and painted jungle murals. In fact, the architects specifically avoided that. They wanted a "functional forest."
Think of it like an Orangutan gymnasium-meets-university.
These animals are among the smartest on the planet. They share about 97% of our DNA. Because of that, they get bored easily. The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center was designed by experts like Dr. Rob Shumaker to tackle that boredom head-on. It’s a place where the apes have "jobs" and "hobbies."
The Hutan Trail: A highway in the sky
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cubicle, you’ll appreciate the freedom these guys have. The Myrta Pulliam Hutan Trail is a network of cables and platforms that lets the orangutans leave their main building and travel across the zoo grounds.
They choose when to go. They choose which path to take.
- The Skyline ride: You can actually hop on a gondola that glides right alongside these cable paths. It’s a bit surreal to be at eye-level with a primate while you're both suspended in mid-air.
- The "Look Up" Rule: If you’re walking near the center, keep your eyes on the cables. It’s not uncommon for an orangutan to be hanging directly over your head while you’re eating a soft pretzel.
It changes the power dynamic. Usually, we look down at animals. Here, they look down at us. It’s a subtle shift that makes you realize just how significant these "people of the forest" (which is what "orangutan" actually means in Malay) really are.
High-tech apes and touchscreens
One of the wildest things about the center is the Tim M. Solso Learning Studio. This isn't just for show. The orangutans here use massive, ruggedized touchscreens to solve puzzles and play games.
They aren't doing it because they’re forced to. They do it because they like it.
I’ve seen Rocky—who, by the way, spent years in the entertainment industry before coming here—engage with these computers with more focus than most kids have on their iPads. Researchers use these sessions to study how they think, how they remember things, and how they perceive the world. When a visitor watches a research demonstration, they aren't just seeing a trick; they’re watching a cross-species conversation.
Meeting the residents
You can't talk about this place without talking about the personalities. They aren't just "the orangutans." They are individuals.
- Rocky: The social butterfly. He’s famous for his interest in humans. If you have a tattoo or a colorful bandage on your arm, don't be surprised if he presses his face against the glass to get a better look. He’s curious about us.
- Mila: The first orangutan born at the center (back in 2016). Watching her grow up in this environment has been a case study in how a "functional forest" helps a young ape develop natural climbing skills.
- Azy: A massive male who is basically the elder statesman of the group.
There are currently around 10 orangutans living here, representing both Bornean and Sumatran species. It’s one of the largest groups in North America.
Is it actually helping?
Critics sometimes ask if $26 million wouldn't be better spent just "saving the rainforest." It’s a fair question. But the zoo’s leadership argues that you can't save what people don't care about.
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The center is a massive engine for conservation. Inside, there are "Conservation Portals" where you can swipe a card and see exactly how your donation helps reforest Borneo. They've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars this way. Plus, the research done here on cognition and health is shared globally to help vets and conservationists working with wild populations.
It’s about empathy. When you stand three inches away from a Sumatran orangutan and see the wrinkles on their hands and the intelligence in their eyes, the "palm oil crisis" stops being a headline and starts being personal.
Tips for your visit
If you’re planning to go, don't just rush through. This isn't a "check the box" kind of exhibit.
Timing is everything. Try to catch the "Orangutan Chat" (usually around noon, but check the daily schedule). This is when the keepers really get into the nitty-gritty of how the animals are doing.
Look for the "Oases." These are the smaller outposts along the Hutan Trail. Sometimes an orangutan just wants some privacy—something the males especially crave—and you’ll find them tucked away in these high-altitude pods away from the main crowd.
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Check the Beacon. At night, the Beacon of Hope glows. It’s a literal lighthouse for conservation. It’s meant to remind the city of Indianapolis that even though the rainforest is thousands of miles away, what we do here matters.
What you can do next
The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center is a bit of a wake-up call. If you want to take the next step beyond just visiting, here’s how to actually make a dent in the problem:
- Check your snacks: Use an app like the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Sustainable Palm Oil app. It lets you scan barcodes at the grocery store to see if the company is using orangutan-friendly palm oil.
- Support the reforestation: You can donate directly through the Indianapolis Zoo’s website specifically for their field projects in Southeast Asia.
- Visit on a weekday: If you want to see the research demonstrations without the heavy weekend crowds, Tuesday or Wednesday mornings are your best bet.
Seeing these animals swing across the Indiana sky is cool. Realizing they might disappear forever if we don't change our habits is the part that actually sticks with you.