Potawatomi Zoo facts for kids
Entrance
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| Date opened | 1921 |
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| Location | South Bend, Indiana, United States |
| Land area | 23 acres (9.3 ha) |
| Coordinates | 41°40′09.59″N 86°13′04.52″W / 41.6693306°N 86.2179222°W |
| No. of animals | 400 |
| No. of species | 135 |
| Memberships | AZA |
The Potawatomi Zoo is a fun place to visit in South Bend, Indiana, United States. It's about 23 acres big and is one of the oldest zoos in Indiana, first opening in 1921. You can find it in Potawatomi Park, close to the St. Joseph River. The zoo is home to over 400 animals from many different species. It is also approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which means it meets high standards for animal care. More than 300,000 people visit the zoo every year!
Contents
History of the Zoo
The Potawatomi Zoo started in 1921 with just one deer. This deer was given to the park by Albert Russell Erskine, who was the president of the Studebaker car company. From that small start, the zoo has grown a lot over the years.
During the Great Depression in 1940, a special government program called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped build the zoo's Cat House. This building is still standing today. It is the oldest building at the zoo and is now home to amazing Amur and snow leopards.
By 1947, the zoo had many different animals. These included a polar bear, African lions, and even peacocks. In 1971, a group called the St. Joseph Zoological Society was formed. This group, now known as the Potawatomi Zoological Society, helps support the zoo.
In 1981, the zoo started charging a small fee to enter. This helped them count how many people visited and also provided money to care for the animals. The zoo used to be run by the city of South Bend. However, since January 1, 2014, the Potawatomi Zoological Society has been in charge of running the zoo. It is still owned by the city.
In 2020, the zoo opened a brand new front entrance. This beautiful new area welcomes visitors and also has a bigger gift shop.
Amazing Animal Exhibits
The Potawatomi Zoo is home to more than 400 animals. The zoo also helps protect endangered animals by taking part in over 56 Species Survival Plans. These plans help make sure that endangered animals have healthy populations.
Africa
The Africa section is in the eastern part of the zoo. Here, you can see black-and-white colobus monkeys and fennec foxes. You will also find southern ground hornbills, powerful lions, and speedy plains zebras. Other animals include Diana monkeys, African wild dogs, and Red river hogs.
In 2017, the Potawatomi Zoo became the first zoo in Indiana to have okapis. Okapis are rare forest animals that are related to giraffes. The zoo has two male okapis that you can see outside or in their special indoor habitat. In 2019, a male southern white rhinoceros named Masamba arrived. He is now a permanent resident next to the okapis. A new lion exhibit began construction in 2021–2022 and is now open. Four male Masai giraffes joined the zoo in 2022.
Asia
Animals from Asia are found in different parts of the zoo. Near the front entrance, you can see the impressive Amur tigers and unique Sichuan takins. In 2014, a special exhibit for red pandas and muntjacs was added near the front gate.
Australian Outback
The zoo used to have an Australian Outback exhibit where you could walk among kangaroos and emus. This exhibit was replaced by the giraffe's African savannah exhibit, which opened in Spring 2022. The kangaroos and emus now live in a new exhibit in another part of the zoo. You can also see laughing kookaburras and blue-faced honeyeaters in nearby bird houses.
Cat House
The Cat House is the oldest building at the zoo. It was built a long time ago during the Great Depression. This building has outdoor areas for snow leopards and Amur leopards. In 2016, rare Amur leopard cubs were born at the zoo, which was very exciting! This building is also known as the "Leopard House" or "Leopard Path."
Learning Center
The Learning Center is located at the front of the zoo. It is home to many smaller animals. You can see animals like genets, sand cats, and two-toed sloths. It also has colorful golden lion tamarins and cotton-top tamarins. You can also find various reptiles and amphibians here, such as turtles, snakes, and frogs.
The Americas
The western part of the zoo features animals from North and South America. A popular spot is the bison yard, where three American bison live. In 2011, the zoo added a cool North American river otter exhibit. This exhibit has a special "green roof" that helps the environment.
Other animals in this section include Chacoan peccaries, bobcats, and red foxes. You can also see American alligators, large capybaras, and giant anteaters. The Americas section also includes colorful birds like the blue-and-yellow macaw and now includes Spectacled bears.
Zoo Farm
At the Zoo Farm, you can get up close with friendly farm animals. You can even pet and feed some of them! Animals here include alpacas, goats, sheep, and donkeys. You might also see turkeys, chickens, and a pot-bellied pig.
Helping Animals: Conservation
The Potawatomi Zoo is very involved in helping endangered animals. They breed rare animals and are part of over 56 Species Survival Plan programs. These programs help make sure that endangered species have healthy populations for the future.
The zoo has had many successes in breeding endangered animals. For example, they have successfully bred Chacoan peccaries and Southern three-banded armadillos. Their female Amur leopard, Pearl, has had nine cubs since 2007, including two born in 2016. In 2019, the zoo also announced the birth of two Sichuan takins, which are a vulnerable species from Tibet and China.
Other Fun Attractions
Carousel
The Endangered Species Carousel opened in 2016. This ride has 18 beautiful, hand-crafted animals. You can choose to ride on a zebra, a lion, or even a leopard!
Zoo Train
The zoo train started running in 2004. You can take a ride on a replica of a historic CP Huntington Locomotive. The electric train travels around the western part of the zoo for about half a mile. It's a very popular ride, especially during special events like ZOO BOO, when it becomes a Haunted Train Ride!
Images for kids
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A Bengal tiger (died 2015) takes a nap at Potawatomi Zoo.
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A white-naped crane at the Potawatomi Zoo in April 2012.
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An endangered golden lion tamarin at the Potawatomi Zoo in April 2012.
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A North American river otter display opened in 2011.
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A North American porcupine at the Potawatomi Zoo in September 2019.
