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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 DirectorJosh Sisk |
Director of DevelopmentMargie Anella |
Director of Finance & Guest ServicesKris Wiley |
Director of Facilities OperationsBill Wargo |
General CuratorJami Richard |
Curator of Animal CollectionsAnna Pelc |
Curator of EducationAmanda Brunson Cruz |
Zoo VeterinarianAudrey Siegrist DVM |
 Amber Pulford, President
Centier Bank |
 Jason Schultz, Vice-President
Barnes & Thornburg |
 Christi Risk,
Treasurer
Nursing Home Administrator |
 James Turnwald, Secretary
Michiana Area COG |
 Daryl Knip, At-Large
Abonmarche Consultants |
 Myles Busby
Allied Solutions LLC |
 Christine Cotter
Meridian Title |
 Chris Fielding
Cressy Commercial Real Estate |
||
 Eric Horvath
City of South Bend, Public Works |
 Erik Johnson
J2 Marketing |
 Mona Livingston
Indiana Michigan Power |
 Robert Mendoza
Insight Accounting Group |
 Dave Nufer
J.N.K. Inc. |
 Gillian Shaw
enFocus |
 Patrick Stalvey
South Bend Community School Corp |
 George Horn, President Emeritus
Barnes & Thornburg |
 John Mertes, President Emeritus
Ziker Cleaners |
Executive DirectorJosh Sisk
|
Director of DevelopmentMargie Anella
|
|
Director of Finance & Guest ServicesKris Wiley |
Director of Facilities OperationsBill Wargo
|
|
General CuratorJami Richard
|
Curator of Animal CollectionsAnna Pelc
|
Curator of EducationAmanda Brunson Cruz
|
Zoo VeterinarianAudrey Siegrist DVM
|
Amber Pulford, President, Centier Bank
Jason Schultz, Vice-President, Barnes & Thornburg
Christi Risk, Treasurer, Nursing Home Administrator\
James Turnwald, Secretary, Michiana Area COG
Daryl Knip, At-Large, Abonmarche Consultants
Myles Busby, Allied Solutions LLC
Christine Cotter, Meridian Title
Mark Critini, SouthBank Legal
Jennifer Duke, Retired Science Teacher
Chris Fielding, Cressy Commercial Real Estate
Eric Horvath, City of South Bend, Public Works
Erik Johnson, J2 Marketing
Mona Livingston, Indiana Michigan Power
Robert Mendoza, Insight Accounting Group
Dave Nufer, J.N.K. Inc.
Hodge Patel, Capitol Consulting Solutions
Gillian Shaw, enFocus
Patrick Stalvey, South Bend Community School Corp
George Horn, President Emeritus, Barnes & Thornburg
John Mertes, President Emeritus, Ziker Cleaners
