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

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

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.

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

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