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 VeterinarianAllison Dianis, 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 VeterinarianAllison Dianis 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
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
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