Potawatomi Zoo

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Potawatomi Zoo We are open for the season 3/28/26-11/29/26 (closed Thanksgiving Day). See hours & ticket details on our website.

Potawatomi Zoo, located in South Bend, is home to over 400 species on 23 acres. The Zoo is a regional destination serving and educating all who visit. Our history is rich, and we are proud to be a special part of this community.

10/16/2026

Banded mongoose doing banded mongoose things!

Mongoose are curious by nature and love to dig by nature, so a bucket of sand is GREAT entertainment! It may or may not be helpful for the zoo keeper trying to clean their area, though.

Video by Keeper Chloe.

Zoo Boo starts tomorrow! Don’t forget, the Zoo is open only for Zoo Boo hours on October 16-18 and October 23-25—hours a...
10/15/2026

Zoo Boo starts tomorrow! Don’t forget, the Zoo is open only for Zoo Boo hours on October 16-18 and October 23-25—hours are 2-9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays.

Zoo Boo prices haven’t changed since last year! It’s $16 for people ages 15-61, $14 for children 3-14 and seniors ages 62+. Zoo Member adults are $12, and Zoo Member children are $10. All babies 0-2 are free.

See more details at potawatomizoo.org/zooboo.

We had a wonderful time with our Wildlife Legacy Society at last week’s Dinner With The Director. These donors and frien...
10/14/2026

We had a wonderful time with our Wildlife Legacy Society at last week’s Dinner With The Director. These donors and friends of the Zoo have either remembered the Zoo in their planned giving or made a transformational gift at the Zoo. We are so fortunate to have this amazing group of people supporting the Zoo and cheering for our success behind-the-scenes and in public!

You can learn more about the Wildlife Legacy Society at potawatomizoo.org/giving-societies

10/13/2026

What’s on the menu today? Primates get a wide variety of foods including vegetables, fruits, dietary biscuits, and protein, like eggs!

In fact, every animal at the Zoo gets a balanced and nutritious diet designed for the requirements of their species and customized as needed by our vet, zoo keepers, and dietician. Some animals may get vitamins, some may get senior supplements, and some may have food preferences or allergies that require adjustments.

Videos by Keeper Chloe.

With all the red panda excitement, we forgot to mention that we also had two endangered Chacoan peccaries born last mont...
10/12/2026

With all the red panda excitement, we forgot to mention that we also had two endangered Chacoan peccaries born last month! These peclets were born to mom Ginger and dad Stoop. In 2026, we’ve had six babies born, which brings our herd up to 13: three male, eight female, and two undetermined (as long as they seem healthy, we leave them alone until they’re a little older).

10/11/2026

Zoo friends, we have some sad news to share today. Our beloved Jersey cow, Sampson, was humanely euthanized due to heath issues related to aging. He will be deeply missed by all of us at the Zoo who worked with him and those of us who were lucky enough to know him.

Sampson came to the Zoo almost 12 years ago as a calf. He was always a friendly and curious cow, and during his years living in the Zoo Farm, he delighted and charmed visitors of all ages.

“His favorite things were to put his feet in the muck buckets, eat banana peels, and his blue ball,” says Keeper Chloe, who worked with Sampson for years. “He was perfect!”

10/10/2026

Oh, to be a small and colorful raptor listening to music on a beautiful fall evening!

When we talk about animals, we try to avoid attributing human emotions to them, known as anthropomorphizing, because animals have different needs and motivations than humans. So although it’s hard to be sure, Kree the American kestrel’s head bobbing, chirping, and slow tail flicks are all thought to be signs of interest and excitement. They can also indicate that she’s assessing her surroundings. Given her calmness, Kree seems to feel safe and comfortable with Educator Cosette!

10/09/2026

Just a week until Zoo Boo starts!
🎃 The Zoo is open only for Zoo Boo hours on October 16-18 and October 23-25.
🦁 We’re open 2-9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays.
📸 We've brought back the usual favorites like the Treat Trail, decorations, and photo ops!
🚂 You can also enjoy the Haunted Train throughout Zoo Boo, but please note: it's scary after 6 pm!
👸 This year, the character actors throughout the Zoo will be Heroes & Princesses the first week and Villains & Miscreants the second week.
🧟‍♀️ We’ve also added a spooky Monster Trek on the Alligator Deck so parents can choose their scare level!

See more details at potawatomizoo.org/zooboo.

Get ready for Halloween with Spooky Zoo Trivia on October 28, 6-8 pm in The Lodge. This trivia night will be all about s...
10/08/2026

Get ready for Halloween with Spooky Zoo Trivia on October 28, 6-8 pm in The Lodge. This trivia night will be all about spooky critters and Halloween: creepy crawlies, animal ghost legends, Halloween traditions, Halloween pop culture. The winning team will receive a fantastic zoo prize.

Zoo Trivia supports the Zoo's Conservation Fund, which donates to wildlife conservation organizations like Save Giraffes Now, African Painted Dog SAFE, and more!

Teams can be 2-8 players. Tickets are $15 per person. Register in advance at potawatomizoo.org/event/zoo-trivia-102826.

Address

500 S Greenlawn Avenue
South Bend, IN
46615

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(574)2359800

Website

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