Indianapolis Zoo president and CEO takes leave of absence

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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Robert W. Shumaker has taken a leave of absence as president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo.

David Hosick, director of the zoo’s public relations, told News 8 that he was unable to share any additional information on Shumaker’s absence.

Shumaker is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in the study of behavior and cognition. He started at the Indianapolis Zoo in 2010, according to a biography on the Orangutan Conservancy website. Shumaker’s Linked In page said he became president in 2018 and CEO in 2020.

The zoo leader was in the news in March after social media reported he was bitten by Edith, a 56-year-old female chimpanzee at the zoo, while “handfeeding inappropriate foods” The chimp bit Shumaker’s finger, the social media post said. The zoo at the time reported that the chimpanzee “has no ill-effects” from the bite.

In another leadership development from the zoo, Hosick said in an email, the board of trustees promoted John Gullion, the senior vice president of zoo operations, to chief operating officer.

Hosick did not indicate any connection between Gullion’s promotion and Shumaker’s leave of absence.

Gullion joined the zoo in 2023.

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