My Story

ROAR! Oh, sorry, I was just practicing. Hi, I’m Nio, the Tiny T-Rex of the Indianapolis Zoo! I may be a Southern Rockhopper, but let’s be honest—I’m basically a dinosaur. Ever since I was three days old, I’ve been stomping around, throwing my flippers back, and roaring at my keepers. Sometimes, I even throw in a little pounce for dramatic effect because, let’s face it, I’m very extra.

I hatched in 2024, making me one of the very few Southern rockhoppers born in the U.S. this past year, and the first to be born at the Indianapolis Zoo in 12 years! My name, Nio, means “new beginnings” in hopes that my arrival will lead to more Rockhopper chicks in the future. My dad hatched all the way back in 1985, making him one of the oldest Southern Rockhoppers in North America. I’m following in his footsteps, but with a bit more flair.

Speaking of flair—when I’m not impersonating a dinosaur, I take great pride in my appearance. Some might say I’m an aspiring model. I will stop mid-stomp to pose for a picture, and with over 4 million hits on social media, I’d say the public agrees that I’m a star.

Being tiny but mighty (or maybe just suffering from chihuahua penguin complex), I bring big energy, bigger attitude, and even bigger awareness to penguin conservation.

As I think I’ve demonstrated so far, I’m a mighty little contender. I deserve to be the peng-win champion because I’m a bright beacon for conservation awareness. My birth and name have marked a new hope at the Indianapolis Zoo. So few of us Southern rockhopper penguins have been born across the country, making my story a great stride in hope for growing a population that is threatened. I also possess an infectious personality, given I’m sassy, curious, and always hungry. I hope that my popularity has inspired people to care more about southern rockhopper penguins and penguin conservation worldwide.

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