About Us

South Bend’s first zoo, the South Bend Zoo, began as a modest duck pond in Leeper Park in 1902. In 1921, the Potawatomi Zoo was established in Potawatomi Park, where it continues to exist today. As one of the oldest zoos in Indiana, we are rich in history and building a promising future.

It is the mission of the Potawatomi Zoo to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.

The vision of the Potawatomi Zoological Society is:

  • To protect and preserve the diversity of species on Earth
  • To provide guests with a unique and meaningful animal experience that is memorable, up close, and personal
  • To be recognized as a premier regional destination
  • To be responsible and respectful of the facilities and resources entrusted to us

View the Potawatomi Zoo’s Master Plan.

View the 2019 Potawatomi Zoo Economic Impact Study.

economic impact study graphic

View the 2016 Potawatomi Zoo Economic Impact Study.

Accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): “Accreditation” means official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium by a group of experts. These experts, called the AZA Accreditation Commission, carefully examine each zoo or aquarium that applies for AZA membership. Only those zoos and aquariums that meet the high standards of the commission can become members of AZA. AZA’s high standards for accreditation are constantly evolving and being raised. Around 236 zoos and aquariums, fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, are AZA accredited.

The Potawatomi Zoo has been continually accredited since 1987.

The Zoo received its most recent five-year accreditation in September 2019

Year      Attendance
2023 351,628
2022 316,030
2021 274,563
2020 188,000
2019 211,303
2018 207,384
2017 236,452
2016 232,125
2015 219,667
2014 207,000
2013 205,758
2012 203,898
2011 198,000
2010 185,000

*The Zoo opened June 14 in 2020.

In 2021:

  • The Education Department conducted 202 programs serving 23,196 people of all ages.
  • There were 72 camps and classes that served 1,599 people, both children and adults.
  • Groups and individuals volunteered 2,545 hours to the Zoo.
  • Interns worked 2,461 hours in the Education department, Animal Care, and the diet kitchen.

About Us

South Bend’s first zoo, the South Bend Zoo, began as a modest duck pond in Leeper Park in 1902. In 1921, the Potawatomi Zoo was established in Potawatomi Park, where it continues to exist today. As one of the oldest zoos in Indiana, we are rich in history and building a promising future.

It is the mission of the Potawatomi Zoo to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.

The vision of the Potawatomi Zoological Society is:

  • To protect and preserve the diversity of species on Earth
  • To provide guests with a unique and meaningful animal experience that is memorable, up close, and personal
  • To be recognized as a premier regional destination
  • To be responsible and respectful of the facilities and resources entrusted to us

View the Potawatomi Zoo’s Master Plan.

View the 2019 Potawatomi Zoo Economic Impact Study.

economic impact study graphic

View the 2016 Potawatomi Zoo Economic Impact Study.

Accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): “Accreditation” means official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium by a group of experts. These experts, called the AZA Accreditation Commission, carefully examine each zoo or aquarium that applies for AZA membership. Only those zoos and aquariums that meet the high standards of the commission can become members of AZA. AZA’s high standards for accreditation are constantly evolving and being raised. Around 236 zoos and aquariums, fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, are AZA accredited.

The Potawatomi Zoo has been continually accredited since 1987.

The Zoo received its most recent five-year accreditation in September 2019

Year      Attendance
2023 351,628
2022 316,030
2021 274,563
2020 188,000
2019 211,303
2018 207,384
2017 236,452
2016 232,125
2015 219,667
2014 207,000
2013 205,758
2012 203,898
2011 198,000
2010 185,000

*The Zoo opened June 14 in 2020.

In 2021:

  • The Education Department conducted 202 programs serving 23,196 people of all ages.
  • There were 72 camps and classes that served 1,599 people, both children and adults.
  • Groups and individuals volunteered 2,545 hours to the Zoo.
  • Interns worked 2,461 hours in the Education department, Animal Care, and the diet kitchen.

Executive Director

Josh Sisk

Director of Development

Margie Anella

Director of Finance

Kris Wiley

Director of Guest Experience

Kyle Etheridge

General Curator

Jami Richard

Curator of Animal Collections

Anna Pelc

Curator of Education

Amanda Brunson Cruz

Zoo Veterinarian

Allison Dianis, DVM
Jason Schultz, President
Barnes & Thornburg		 Daryl Knip, Vice President
Abonmarche Consultants		 Christi Risk, Treasurer
Nursing Home Administrator		 Gillian Shaw, Secretary
enFocus		 erik johnsonErik Johnson, At-Large
J2 Marketing
Myles Busby
Allied Solutions LLC		 christine cotterChristine Cotter
Meridian Title		 Mark Criniti
SouthBank Legal		 Jennifer Duke
Retired Science Teacher		 Chris Fielding
Cressy Commercial Real Estate
Eric Horvath
City of South Bend, Public Works		 Levon Johnson
Greater Elkhart Chamber		 mona livingstonMona Livingston
Indiana Michigan Power		 Joan McClendon
University of Notre Dame		 Robert Mendoza
Insight Accounting Group
Hodge Patel
Abonmarche		 Amber Pulford
Cressy Commercial Real Estate		 Patrick Stalvey
South Bend Community School Corp		 James Turnwald,
Michiana Area COG
George Horn, President Emeritus
Barnes & Thornburg		 John Mertes, President Emeritus
Ziker Cleaners

Executive Director

Josh Sisk

Director of Development

Margie Anella

Director of Finance

Kris Wiley

Director of Guest Experience

Kyle Etheridge

General Curator

Jami Richard

Curator of Animal Collections

Anna Pelc

Curator of Education

Amanda Brunson Cruz

Zoo Veterinarian

Allison Dianis DVM

Jason Schultz, President, Barnes & Thornburg

Daryl Knip, Vice-President, Abonmarche Consultants

Christi Risk, Treasurer, Nursing Home Administrator

Gillian Shaw, Secretary, enFocus

Erik Johnson, At-Large, J2 Marketing

George Horn, President Emeritus, Barnes & Thornburg

John Mertes, President Emeritus, Ziker Cleaners

Myles Busby, Allied Solutions LLC

Christine Cotter, Meridian Title

Mark Criniti, SouthBank Legal

Jennifer Duke, Retired Science Teacher

Chris Fielding, Cressy Commercial Real Estate

Eric Horvath, City of South Bend, Public Works

Levon Johnson, Greater Elkhart Chamber

Mona Livingston, Indiana Michigan Power

Joan McClendon, University of Notre Dame

Robert Mendoza, Insight Accounting Group

Hodge Patel, Abonmarche

Amber Pulford, Cressy Commercial Real Estate

Patrick Stalvey, South Bend Community School Corp

James Turnwald, Michiana Area COG

Marketing & Media

In consideration of entering the Potawatomi Zoo, visitors (individually and on behalf of their minor dependents, as the case may be): (1) agree that they may be filmed, videotaped, and/or photographed, without notice, by or on behalf of the Potawatomi Zoological Society (“Society”); (2) give the Society permission to use such film(s), video(s), photograph(s), and/or likenesses, whether in original form or edited, for any purpose, such as marketing and advertising, in any media, now known or hereinafter developed, worldwide, indefinitely, without notice or compensation, and with or without associating a visitor’s name thereto; and (3) acknowledge that the Society shall own all rights, title, and interests in these film(s), video(s), and photograph(s), and in all materials incorporating the same. If any portion of this paragraph is deemed to be void, the parties agree to modify it such that it is enforceable to the closest effect allowed under law to its original form. If such a provision cannot be modified, it is severable and the remaining portion(s) will remain in full effect.

Our visitors may take photos or video for personal use while visiting the Potawatomi Zoo.

If you would like to use the Zoo grounds for posed, professional, or commercial photography or videography, please refer to the “Commercial Use Requests” tab.

If you intend to sell images, art, video, or any other depiction of the Zoo, you must fill out a Commercial Use Application first. This includes using the Zoo for posed photography or event photography such as weddings, senior portraits, or other professional photo shoots.

We are happy to consider your request for permission to use the Zoo for commercial purposes providing you adhere to the policies and procedures outlined by the Zoo. The PZS makes every effort to accommodate all reputable requests, but we need to know what people are using the Zoo for. If permission is granted, it shall be subject to the terms and conditions stated herein.

Application procedure:

Requests for commercial use must be made in writing. Please send the completed form found below via email to info@potawatomizoo.org or by mail to Marketing & Communications Manager Kristina Barroso Burrell, Potawatomi Zoo, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave., South Bend, IN 46615. You will be contacted within 7 business days.

The fee for use is $250 unless waived by the Marketing and Communications Manager.

Commercial Use Application

Please contact the Zoo’s Marketing and Communications Manager with news interview, in-studio, on-grounds, or media sharing requests.

Kristina Barroso Burrell
kbarrosoburrell@potawatomizoo.org

Horse outside of Red Barn
Penguins being fed
Groundbreaking of Learning Center
Austrailia Exhibit
Red Barn black and white
Renovation of Tiger Exhibit
Train Ride Grand Opening
Bear Exhibit

Marketing & Media

In consideration of entering the Potawatomi Zoo, visitors (individually and on behalf of their minor dependents, as the case may be): (1) agree that they may be filmed, videotaped, and/or photographed, without notice, by or on behalf of the Potawatomi Zoological Society (“Society”); (2) give the Society permission to use such film(s), video(s), photograph(s), and/or likenesses, whether in original form or edited, for any purpose, such as marketing and advertising, in any media, now known or hereinafter developed, worldwide, indefinitely, without notice or compensation, and with or without associating a visitor’s name thereto; and (3) acknowledge that the Society shall own all rights, title, and interests in these film(s), video(s), and photograph(s), and in all materials incorporating the same. If any portion of this paragraph is deemed to be void, the parties agree to modify it such that it is enforceable to the closest effect allowed under law to its original form. If such a provision cannot be modified, it is severable and the remaining portion(s) will remain in full effect.

Our visitors may take photos or video for personal use while visiting the Potawatomi Zoo.

If you would like to use the Zoo grounds for posed, professional, or commercial photography or videography, please refer to the “Commercial Use Requests” tab.

If you intend to sell images, art, video, or any other depiction of the Zoo, you must fill out a Commercial Use Application first. This includes using the Zoo for posed photography or event photography such as weddings, senior portraits, or other professional photo shoots.

We are happy to consider your request for permission to use the Zoo for commercial purposes providing you adhere to the policies and procedures outlined by the Zoo. The PZS makes every effort to accommodate all reputable requests, but we need to know what people are using the Zoo for. If permission is granted, it shall be subject to the terms and conditions stated herein.

Application procedure:

Requests for commercial use must be made in writing. Please send the completed form found below via email to info@potawatomizoo.org or by mail to Marketing & Communications Manager Kristina Barroso Burrell, Potawatomi Zoo, 500 S. Greenlawn Ave., South Bend, IN 46615. You will be contacted within 7 business days.

The fee for use is $250 unless waived by the Marketing and Communications Manager.

Please contact the Zoo’s Marketing and Communications Manager with news interview, in-studio, on-grounds, or media sharing requests.

Kristina Barroso Burrell
kbarrosoburrell@potawatomizoo.org