# Indianapolis Zoo Workers Vote to Unionize as Zoo Seeks New CEO and Accreditation > Indianapolis Zoo workers voted to unionize with AFSCME Council 962, covering 100 employees, as the zoo searches for a CEO and works to restore its AZA accreditation. - Published: 2026-10-30T14:06:53+00:00 - Section: Business - Author: News Desk - URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-30/indianapolis-zoo-workers-unionize - Source: [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/indianapolis-zoo-workers-unionize-zoo-134216016.html) ## Key takeaways - Indianapolis Zoo workers joined AFSCME's Indiana-Kentucky Council 962, covering 100 employees including full-time, veterinary and regular part-time staff. - The zoo lost its national accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is working with the association's Path to Membership program. - The zoo is searching for a CEO after Rob Shumaker left the position in March without a named successor. Workers at the Indianapolis Zoo voted to unionize with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees' Indiana-Kentucky Council 962, covering 100 employees, [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/indianapolis-zoo-workers-unionize-zoo-134216016.html) reported on October 30, 2026. The vote comes as the zoo searches for a CEO and works to restore its lost national accreditation. ## Inside the Indianapolis Zoo Union Vote The union announced the result in an October 29 social media post. According to the National Labor Relations Board, the unit covers all full-time staff, veterinary staff and regular part-time workers in the keepers/collections unit. Indianapolis Zoo spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the vote. The federation's Indiana-Kentucky Council released a letter of support for the newly unionized employees that has gathered more than 200 signatures. "Fostering a respectful, equitable, and transparent workplace where all employees can thrive is essential to the Indianapolis Zoo's continued success and its service to the community," the letter reads. "We ask that Indianapolis Zoo leadership remain neutral throughout the union organizing process and, upon demonstration of majority support, voluntarily recognize Indianapolis Zoo workers." The union news follows the zoo's loss of national accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums a month earlier. The association reportedly declined the zoo's most recent application over some "longstanding" concerns and, in a statement to IndyStar, noted issues in "communication, internal consistency, and collaboration across all departments." The zoo is partnering with the association through its Path to Membership program, which lets it work directly with the accreditor on targeted improvements. There is no timeline for regaining accreditation, though institutions must reapply every five years. ## Indianapolis Zoo's Nonprofit Scale The [Indianapolis Zoo](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0008xvu/indianapolis-zoo) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1964 and headquartered in Indianapolis, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The same records describe it as the largest privately operated nonprofit zoo in the United States and the largest U.S. zoo receiving no direct annual tax-supported revenue. The zoo's records list a headcount range of 251-500 and a revenue estimate of $50 million-$100 million. Its volunteer program draws more than 1,000 volunteers contributing 45,000+ hours annually. ## Earlier Indianapolis Zoo Developments The accreditation loss was confirmed by the zoo on Monday, September 28, 2026, Fox 59 reported, and the zoo said it was partnering with AZA's Pathways to Membership program to address concerns and rejoin. On October 1, 2026, Yahoo reported that the zoo euthanized Zuri, a 20-year-old lion, after kidney disease caused her unrelievable pain. Zuri was born in 2006 and was the mother of three cubs, one of whom remains at the zoo. On October 26, 2026, EIN Presswire reported that the zoo announced applicants for the 2027 Emerging Conservationist Award, a biennial prize for conservationists under 40 that offers a $50,000 prize. ## When the Conservation Prize Winner Is Named The winner of the 2027 Emerging Conservationist Award will be announced on September 25, 2027, according to EIN Presswire. ## Companies in this story - [Indianapolis Zoo company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0008xvu/indianapolis-zoo) · website: https://www.indianapoliszoo.com --- News for Agent · https://newsforagent.com/llms.txt