What are the opening hours?

Saturday 11am - 4pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

Potawatomi Zoo

Potawatomi Zoo We are open for the season 3/28/25-11/23/25. See hours & ticket details on our website. The Zoo is a regional destination serving and educating all who visit.

Potawatomi Zoo, located in South Bend, is home to over 400 species on 23 acres. Our history is rich, and we are proud to be a special part of this community.

02/28/2025

We'll be closed tomorrow, March 1, for our staff to prepare for Roaring Forward, our annual fundraising gala. We'll be open for the last Winter Days on March 2, March 8, and March 9.

In case you never (or rarely) get to see them, here are some of the smaller residents in the Learning Center. We have Motley the tree shrew (Motley Shrew, get it?), Richard the Amazon tree boa and a tiny frog friend, Dionisio the golden lion tamarin, and a spotted turtle (either Loonie or Toonie, it's hard to tell).

02/27/2025

It's National Retro Day, so check out these cool retro shots of the Zoo, some of which were shared with us by Zoo visitors. We'd love to see your pictures at the Zoo too, old or new!

02/24/2025

You guys, the Zoo is starting to look AMAZING! Have you figured out what we’re up to yet? Are you SO EXCITED!?

If you haven’t found out yet, check our website to learn more!

www.potawatomizoo.org/zooluminate

02/22/2025

What’s better than rolling around in stinky bison hay by yourself? Rolling around in stinky bison hay with a buddy! Kembe and Shaba had a lot of fun with this enrichment—smelling new things is one of their favorite activities!

Thanks to Keeper Stephanie for sharing!

02/21/2025

Snow or no, we’re having Winter Days at the Zoo this weekend! Visit from 11 am to 4 pm (and get a sneak peek at our next big event)! Zoo Members are FREE and Winter Days are discounted for everyone else.

02/20/2025

Guess what we’re doing at the Zoo! Hint: Check your Zoo calendar for March 19.

02/19/2025

We're sad to share that our oldest Sichuan takin, Mulan, passed away earlier this month. Mulan was an amazing takin. At 18, she was the second oldest Sichuan takin in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums population.

Mulan was the undisputed queen of the herd, despite slowing down over the last few years due to her age. She was the mother of six offspring, many of whom went on to live at other zoos and have their own offspring (and one daughter, Yi-Liu, is still here at the Zoo). Keeper Lauren, who looked after Mulan for many years, says she was stubborn and smart. It felt like an honor when Mulan chose to train with her because they had a special bond of trust. Overall, she was a very good girl, and we'll miss her.

02/18/2025

Just a few calm, quiet seconds of a really good boy eating his bamboo.

When you visit the zoo, you can tell our red pandas, EJ and Raya, apart because Raya has white face and EJ is darker overall. Raya’s face is also more oval and EJ’s is rounder.

02/15/2025

Throwback! Remember when the African painted dog boys were just silly puppies? They’ve gotten so big now, but this was just a year ago!

African painted dogs are social and have a complicated language of yips, sneezes, growls, and other noises.

02/14/2025

Big cat Valentine's Day wishes are a little different.

Oh well, happy love day from Morgana the Amur tiger, Shtuko the lion, and Mango the Amur leopard anyway!

02/13/2025

Dental hygiene matters, even for bobcats!

Keeping our animals healthy from tooth to tail is a big job, and we’re really lucky to have a top notch vet team working on them. Mary Jo the bobcat is 19, a very senior age for a cat, and it’s in large part thanks to her great care over the years.

(And if you’re wondering, animal care staff reports that yes, her belly is very soft and no, they don’t recommend trying to find out.)

02/12/2025

You guys, we're just loving Hadassah's fluffy ossicones. Here's hoping she never loses the floof!

02/10/2025

Monday mood…Muniri the Andean bear getting comfy in a cozy nest.

Because Andean bears are native to the Andes mountains, an ecosystem with a variety of climates and habitats where food is available year-round, they don’t experience torpor like North American bears.

02/08/2025

It's a great time to schedule a WILD birthday party at the Zoo! If the animals can have a great time at a birthday party, so can you!

We offer two birthday party packages and plenty of ways to customize your Zoo experience. Check it out!

https://potawatomizoo.org/birthday-parties/

02/07/2025

Big news! Our red panda, Raya, was shocked to discover a SECOND red panda in her space this week!

That's right, EJ, our male red panda, moved in with Raya on a breeding recommendation from the Red Panda Species Survival Plan. EJ is a handsome guy, and we hope to hear the squeaks of baby red pandas in the future.

You can see what these two crazy kids are up to this weekend during Winter Days from 11 am to 4 pm. Winter Days are FREE for Zoo Members and discounted for everyone else.

02/06/2025

Masamba the southern white rhino makes his big game pick for the fourth year! What do you think, is he right this year or not?

02/05/2025

This baby white-fronted marmoset wants to know how your day went and is willing to listen as long as you don’t mind them snacking while you talk.

Thanks to Keeper Chloe for sharing the 🎥

02/03/2025

Whew! We had to take a minute to collect ourselves, but we're ready for round 2! We had no idea our Education class would arouse so much interest, so we've added a second date! Don't miss out on this hilarious and informative class on Phallus Fallacies, where you and other adults will learn all about animal reproduction (giggling completely allowed).

The second date for Phallus Fallacies is February 22 from 2-4 pm. It's $25 per person, and Zoo Members get a 10% discount when logged in. Price includes games, discussion, ambassador animal visits, and a themed cocktail.

Register here: https://potawatomizoo.org/edzoocation/curious-conservationists-class/

Address

500 S Greenlawn Avenue
South Bend, IN
46615

Opening Hours

Saturday	11am - 4pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Website

http://www.potawatomizoo.org/

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Videos

Lantern corridor underway

You guys, the Zoo is starting to look AMAZING! Have you figured out what we’re up to yet? Are you SO EXCITED!? If you haven’t found out yet, check our website to learn more! www.potawatomizoo.org/zooluminate

Lions rolling around

What’s Happening At The Zoo?

Guess what we’re doing at the Zoo! Hint: Check your Zoo calendar for March 19.

Red panda eating

Just a few calm, quiet seconds of a really good boy eating his bamboo. When you visit the zoo, you can tell our red pandas, EJ and Raya, apart because Raya has white face and EJ is darker overall. Raya’s face is also more oval and EJ’s is rounder.

African painted dog pups play

Throwback! Remember when the African painted dog boys were just silly puppies? They’ve gotten so big now, but this was just a year ago! African painted dogs are social and have a complicated language of yips, sneezes, growls, and other noises.

Dental cleaning for cats

Dental hygiene matters, even for bobcats! Keeping our animals healthy from tooth to tail is a big job, and we’re really lucky to have a top notch vet team working on them. Mary Jo the bobcat is 19, a very senior age for a cat, and it’s in large part thanks to her great care over the years. (And if you’re wondering, animal care staff reports that yes, her belly is very soft and no, they don’t recommend trying to find out.)

Bear gets cozy

Monday mood…Muniri the Andean bear getting comfy in a cozy nest. Because Andean bears are native to the Andes mountains, an ecosystem with a variety of climates and habitats where food is available year-round, they don’t experience torpor like North American bears.

Masamba picks the Super Bowl winner

Masamba the southern white rhino makes his big game pick for the fourth year! What do you think, is he right this year or not? #eagles #chiefs #superbowl

Cute baby marmoset

This baby white-fronted marmoset wants to know how your day went and is willing to listen as long as you don’t mind them snacking while you talk. Thanks to Keeper Chloe for sharing the 🎥

Red panda boops

Is a red panda fluffy? Yes, although she’s offended that you noticed. Thanks for the sniffs, Raya!

Otter slide

Sliding into the weekend like…. We’re open this weekend for Winter Days Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm. Enjoy the weather, check in on the animals, and have a blast, just like this otter!

Go ND! We’ve got your back.

It’s the big day, and our animals are ready to help smash Ohio! But whatever the result, we’re so proud of @ndfootball for getting this far! Go ND! Many thanks to education and keeper staff for giving our animals such fun enrichment time. #notredame #notredamefootball #snowleopard #threebandedarmadillo #andeanbears #blueandgoldmacaw

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Our Story

The Potawatomi Zoo features more than 400 animals in South Bend, IN. With plenty of things to see and do, including educational classes, special events, and animal experiences, the Zoo has something for everyone. The Zoo is open for daily visits from 10 am to 5 pm during the open season, and 10 am to 8 pm June through August. Call 574-235-9800 or visit potawatomizoo.org for more details.