After a brief leave of absence earlier this year, Dr. Rob Shumaker has stepped down as president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Zoo, closing a chapter that saw the institution expand its conservation work and open new exhibits under his watch.
As reported by the Indianapolis Business Journal, the zoo released a joint statement from Shumaker and board chair Beth Klapper announcing his resignation. In that note, Shumaker wrote, "I would like to thank the Board for recently offering me a short leave of absence," and said he was stepping aside to let new leadership guide the organization. The report noted that the zoo did not provide additional information about the leave.
Leadership During the Leave
The zoo first disclosed Shumaker's leave on Feb. 19 and told reporters it could not share further details, while assuring the public that day-to-day operations would continue as normal. The board elevated John Gullion to chief operating officer to oversee daily functions during the absence, according to WIBC. Gullion had previously served as the zoo's senior vice president of operations.
Background and Recent Incidents
Shumaker had been the public face of the zoo's national conservation efforts and expansion projects, including major fundraising pushes and the International Chimpanzee Complex, per the Indianapolis Zoo. The institution also drew attention after a chimpanzee bit Shumaker during a feeding in March 2025 and after a separate chimpanzee briefly escaped an enclosure in November 2025, incidents that were covered by local outlets. WLWT reported on the escape.
What's Next for the Zoo
The board's statement thanked Shumaker for his years of service but did not name an immediate successor. For now, the zoo says its senior leadership team will continue to handle daily operations while the board weighs next steps and any formal transition plan.
