Potawatomi Zoo

The Potawatomi Zoo is a 23-acre (9.3 ha) zoological park located in South Bend, Indiana, United States. The Zoo is nestled in Potawatomi Park between the St. Joseph River and the Grand Trunk railroad in the east side neighborhood of River Park. Founded in 1921, it is Indiana's second oldest Zoo. The zoo's mission is to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.[3] It features over 400 animals and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.[4] The zoo has over 200,000 visitors each year.

Potawatomi Zoo
Entrance
Date opened1921
LocationSouth Bend, Indiana, United States
Coordinates41°40′09.59″N 86°13′04.52″W
Land area23 acres (9.3 ha)[1]
No. of animals400[1]
MembershipsAZA[2]
Websitewww.potawatomizoo.org

History

Potawatomi Zoo began in 1921 when a single deer was donated by Albert Russell Erskine, then president of the Studebaker Corporation.[5]

At the end of the Great Depression in 1940, the Works Progress Administration constructed the zoo's Cat House, its first permanent structure. The building still stands, serving as home to Amur leopards and is the oldest zoo building still standing.[6]

The list of species housed at the zoo in 1947 included a polar bear, African lions, dwarf zebu, rhesus monkeys, peacocks and the less exotic raccoon.

In 1971, the St. Joseph Zoological Society, now called Potawatomi Zoological Society, was formed, with Craig D. McCowan as its first director. In 1981, the zoo began charging admission, to provide an accurate attendance count as well as revenue.[7]

The zoo was formerly run and maintained by the South Bend Parks and Recreation Department. Since January 1, 2014, it has been run and maintained by the Potawatomi Zoological Society,[8] while still remaining city owned.

In 2018, the zoo broke ground on a new front entrance that is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2020.

Exhibits

The Potawatomi Zoo is home to over 400 animals and the zoo participates in over 56 Species Survival Plans.[9]

Africa

The Africa section spans much of the eastern third of the zoo. Leaving the Zoo Farm the Africa section begins with the Old World Monkeys exhibit which is home to black-and-white Colobus monkeys. In this part of the zoo you will also find Southern ground hornbills, lions, Plains zebra, addax, Diana monkeys, chimpanzees, African wild dogs, Greater kudo, and ostrich. In 2017, it became the first accredited zoo in the state of Indiana to house a pair of okapi, a rare forest-dwelling relative of the common giraffe. In 2019, the zoo announced the addition of a Southern white rhinoceros.

Asia

The Potawatomi Zoo is home to numerous species that are native to parts of Asia but these exhibits are spread throughout the zoo rather than being in one section. Near the front gate on the east side of the zoo is the Amur tiger exhibit and the Sichuan takins. In 2014, a red panda and muntjac exhibit was added near the front gate on the western side.[10]

Australian Trail

In the middle of the zoo is the Australian Trail, which allows you to walk among emus, kangaroos, and Bennett's wallabies. This exhibit also includes a yellow-crested cockatoo, laughing kookaburra, and black swans.

Cat House

The zoo's Cat House was its first permanent structure built during the Great Depression as part of the Works Progress Administration. The Cat House includes outdoor exhibits for a snow leopard and Amur leopards. The birth of rare Amur leopard cubs in the summer of 2016 was a big hit.

Learning Center

The Learning Center is located at the front of the zoo. It is home to many smaller creatures and the Zoo's Education department. Animals on exhibit include two-toed sloth, golden lion tamarin, cotton-top tamarin, white-faced saki, red-rumped agouti, three-banded armadillo, ring-tailed lemur, squirrel monkeys, green iguana, banded mongoose, Madagascar hissing cockroach, Texas brown tarantula, Goliath bird eating tarantula, Chilean tarantula, Emperor scorpion, Malaysian scorpion, vinegaroon, as well as various turtles, snakes, geckos, frogs, skinks and other reptiles and amphibians.

The Americas

The western half of the zoo is home to exhibits representing North and South America. A key feature of the Americas section includes the bison yard which is home to four American bison. In 2011, the zoo added a North American river otter exhibit in the Americas section. The otter exhibit utilizes a green roof, the first of its kind to be used on a municipal building in South Bend.[11] The Americas also includes bobcats, red fox, Eastern screech owl, red-tailed hawk, prairie dogs, American alligator, capybara, giant anteaters, blue-and-yellow macaw, green-winged macaw.

Zoo Farm

Pet and feed the animals in the Zoo Farm. Animals at the Zoo Farm include alpacas, goats, sheep, Jersey cow, donkeys, turkeys, chickens, and a pot-bellied pig.

Conservation

The zoo breeds endangered animals and participates in over 56 Species Survival Plan programs.[12] The zoo has had a number of successes including the breeding of Amur Leopards. Since 2007, Pearl (female amur leopard) has had nine cubs with the most recent two being born in 2016.[13] In 2019, the zoo announced the birth of two Sichuan Takins, a vulnerable species native to Tibet and parts of China.[14]

Other Attractions

Carousel: The Endangered Species Carousel opened in 2016. The ride features 18 hand-crafted animals, like zebras, lions, and leopards.[15]

Zoo Train: Take a ride on a historic CP Huntington electric train around the western half of the zoo.[16]

References
  1. South Bend Parks and Recreation Department
  2. "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved April 20, 2012.
  3. Potawatomi Zoo. "Our History". Potawatomi Zoo. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  4. "Potawatomi Zoo – Our Mission And History". Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  5. "Minutes of the South Bend Board of Park Commissioners, Book 1, 21 May 1921
  6. "Annual Report, Board of South Bend Park Commissioners", 1940
  7. "A Look Back: Indiana's oldest zoo". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  8. http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/zoological-society-to-take-over-management-of-potawatomi-zoo/23520296
  9. "Visit South Bend". Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  10. South Bend Tribune. "Red pandas now being featured at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend". Notre Dame Insider. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  11. South Bend On. "Zoo's river otters get first municipal green roof". Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  12. Potawatomi Zoo. "Conservation Efforts". Potawatomi Zoo. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  13. WNDU. "Amur leopard cubs: Behind the scenes at the Potawatomi Zoo". www.wndu.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  14. Report, South Bend Tribune. "Second Sichuan takin kid born at Potawatomi Zoo". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  15. WNDU. "Potawatomi Zoo's Endangered Species Carousel opens Saturday". www.wndu.com. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  16. Potawatomi Zoo. "Guest Amenities". Potawatomi Zoo. Retrieved 2019-05-03.
  17. Gray, Amanda (April 1, 2015). "Potawatomi Zoo's White Bengal euthanized". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
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