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.
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.
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 DirectorJosh Sisk
|
Director of DevelopmentMargie Anella
|
Director of FinanceKris Wiley
|
Director of Guest ExperienceKyle Etheridge
|
General CuratorJami Richard
|
Curator of Animal CollectionsAnna Pelc
|
Curator of EducationAmanda Brunson Cruz
|
Zoo VeterinarianAllison Dianis, DVM
|
 Jason Schultz, PresidentBarnes & Thornburg |
 Daryl Knip, Vice PresidentAbonmarche Consultants |
 Christi Risk, TreasurerNursing Home Administrator |
 Gillian Shaw, SecretaryenFocus |
 Erik Johnson, At-LargeJ2 Marketing |
 Amber BehrensEverwise Credit Union |
 Myles BusbyUniversity of Notre Dame |
 Dru CashRE/MAX |
 Christine CotterMeridian Title |
 Mark CrinitiSouthBank Legal |
| Jennifer Duke Retired Science Teacher |
 Chris FieldingCressy Commercial Real Estate |
 Eric HorvathCity of South Bend, Public Works |
 Levon JohnsonGreater Elkhart Chamber |
 Mona LivingstonIndiana Michigan Power |
 Joan McClendonUniversity of Notre Dame |
 Hodge PatelAbonmarche |
 Patrick StalveySouth Bend Community School Corp |
 James Turnwald,Michiana Area COG |
|
 George Horn, President EmeritusBarnes & Thornburg |
Dan Parker, Mayoral Appointee Beacon Health System |
Executive DirectorJosh Sisk
|
Director of DevelopmentMargie Anella
|
|
Director of FinanceKris Wiley |
Director of Guest ExperienceKyle Etheridge
|
|
General CuratorJami Richard
|
Curator of Animal CollectionsAnna Pelc
|
Curator of EducationAmanda Brunson Cruz
|
Zoo VeterinarianAllison 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
Dan Parker, Mayoral Appointee, Beacon Health System
Amber Behrens, Everwise Credit Union
Myles Busby, Allied Solutions LLC
Dru Cash, RE/MAX
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
Hodge Patel, Abonmarche
Patrick Stalvey, South Bend Community School Corp
James Turnwald, Michiana Area COG
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