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More time to enjoy the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend this fall

Pabio November 6, 2024

SOUTH BEND ― The Potawatomi Zoo has decided to stay open until Nov. 24 due to the warmer-than-usual forecast for the month.

“We wanted to give people a chance to see the zoo in November,” said Kristina Barroso Burrell, the zoo’s marketing and communications manager, noting that the zoo has closed at the end of October in recent years.

Potawatomi Zoo staff examine the giraffe calf born Oct. 13, 2024, to the zoo's female Masai giraffe, Zindzhi, in South Bend. — Potawatomi Zoo staff examine the giraffe calf born Oct. 13, 2024, to the zoo’s female Masai giraffe, Zindzhi, in South Bend.

The warmer forecasts played a significant role in the decision, as did the plethora of new arrivals, including a baby giraffe born at the zoo on October 13.

The baby giraffe is not allowed outside unless the temperature is above 60 degrees, but many zoo animals are actually more active when temperatures are cooler.

Sean, a two-year-old Andean bear, watches the Potawatomi Zoo. Sean and his brother Ian made their debut Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at the Andean Bear Exhibit and came to South Bend from the Smithsonian National Zoo.

The zoo remains open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until November 24. After that, it will host its annual Gift of Lights event, which will run from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sundays starting November 24. From December 29 to 22.

For more information, visit the zoo website Or Facebook page.

This article was originally published on South Bend Tribune: South Bend Potawatomi Zoo remains open daily through November 24