Potawatomi Zoo
Potawatomi Zoo and its collection
Potawatomi Zoo is a zoo in South Bend, United States.
The grounds occupy the River Park neighbourhood, bounded by the Grand Trunk railroad on one side and by the St. Joseph River on the other, and annual attendance passes 300,000. Established in 1921 in Potawatomi Park, it claims to be the oldest zoo in Indiana. Its participation extends to more than 56 Species Survival Plans.
History
It was founded in 1921 in Potawatomi Park, after the Studebaker president Albert Russell Erskine gave a deer to the park board. WPA workers put up the Cat House in 1940, the first permanent building on the site.
Exhibits
An Australian Outback walk-through, stocked with emus and kangaroos, ran until 2020.
Things to do
Things to do include Zoo Snooze, Live Giraffe Cam, Giraffe feeding, Train and Carousel.
Conservation and approach
The zoo takes part in more than 56 Species Survival Plans and has bred Chacoan peccaries, southern three-banded armadillos and Amur leopards, one of the leopards, Pearl, producing nine cubs from 2007 onwards and a final pair in 2016. Two Sichuan takins, a vulnerable species of Tibet and China, were born in 2019.
What the venue says
- Live Giraffe Cam
- Train
- Zoo Boo
- Zoo Concessions are open during Zoo hours but may close due to weather or attendance.
- Free parking is available for visitors in the designated parking lots near the zoo entrance
- wheelchair-accessible entrance
- wheelchair-friendly parking areas
- accessible seating options
Images of Potawatomi Zoo
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Dakota Connell-Ledwon, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Potawatomi Zoo, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Skadiseven, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Jsquared03, CC-BY-SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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John Hritz, CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Morning277, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Morning277, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Morning277, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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Asurma, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons 
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User:BeckyAnne, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Opening hours
| Season | Days | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Mar – 31 May | Every day | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| 1 Jun – 31 Aug | Every day | 10:00 | 19:00 |
| 1 Sep – 29 Nov | Every day | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| 3 Jan – 22 Mar | Saturday, Sunday | 11:00 | 16:00 |
Hours can change on public holidays. Check with the venue before travelling.
Closed Dates July 26 (Zoo closes at 5 pm) August 12 (Zoo closes at 5 pm) September 25 (Zoo closed for Brew at the Zoo) October 16-18 and 23-25 (Open only for Zoo Boo) November 26 (Closed for Thanksgiving Day)
Admission
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| adults and teens ages 15–61 | 16.00 USD |
| children ages 3–14 and seniors aged 62 and older | 14.00 USD |
| the zoo train, carousel, and animal feedings | 3.00 USD |
Facilities
- On-site dining
- Animal feeding experience
- Overnight stay
- Rides and attractions
Exhibitions & events
No upcoming events
No temporary exhibitions or scheduled public events are published for Potawatomi Zoo at this time.
Accreditation
- AZA accredited, valid until (source)
Location & map
IndianaSouth Bend
United States
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Frequently asked questions
No frequently asked questions yet
We have not published any questions and answers for Potawatomi Zoo.
Animals
Photographs show each species in general. They were not taken at Potawatomi Zoo.
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giraffe -
bison
Exhibits
- Giraffe Barn