May Buzz: We've got LOUD news!

2023 May Buzz

Eat & Drink With Us

Eat and Drink, our spring food and drink tasting event is May 20, 2023 from 5-8 pm (4-8 for VIPs). This fundraiser is one of our favorite events of the year because we get to try so many new things!

This year, we’ll have more than 30 sampling stations that include sweet and savory foods, non-alcoholic beers and sparkling drinks, as well as some of your favorite local beers and wines. This year, we're also adding a champagne wall! All attendees can try unlimited samples once they’re inside the Zoo.

VIP tickets include an extra hour of time, a VIP tent, specialty cocktail and samples, and a very special animal encounter (hint: check out the picture).

Learn More and Buy Tickets

Lions Arrive Safely

We’re thrilled to announce the safe arrival of our new lion pride: Kembe (male), Shaba (female), and Shtuko (female).

Visitors to the Zoo may be able to get a sneak peek of the lions in their indoor space while they’re finishing their standard 30-day quarantine (however, there may be times the lions are secluded in the back, or the exhibit is blocked off for construction).

Kembe, Shaba, and Shtuko are all 10 years old. They have lived together as a pride since 2013. Kembe is a little older than Shaba and Shtuko, who are sisters.

You can learn more about the pride and African lions on our website.

Read The Press Release

Last Call for Zoo Camp

Zoo Camps fill up fast, so make sure you register soon!

Discovery Zoo Camp, K-1st grade: $150 per person. M-F, 9 am to 12 pm. Start day is June 5, June 26, or July 24. Register HERE.

Adventure Zoo Camp, 2-3rd grade: $200 per person. M-F, 9 am to 3 pm. Start day is June 12, July 10, or July 31. Register HERE.

Heroes Zoo Camp, 4-6th grade: $200 per person. M-F, 9 am to 3 pm. Start day is June 19, July 17, or August 7. Register HERE.

Reading With Babies

Sign up for our Zoo Bookworms reading program! It’s designed for babies 0-2 and a caregiver (you can add an adult and/or child). Each program includes listening to a couple of stories with our Education staff and meeting an Ambassador Animal.

Bookworms takes place on the third Monday of each month, starting at 9:30. It's $5 for a baby and caregiver. This program doesn't include admission to the Zoo. It requires pre-registration and space is limited.

New Amur Leopard Debuts

The Zoo welcomed a male Amur leopard at the end of April. His name is Kasha, and he's 13 years old. He was moved to the Potawatomi Zoo on the recommendation of the Amur Leopard Species Survival Plan.

Right now, Kasha and Anastasia don't have a breeding recommendation, so the two leopards will be alternating time in their publicly-visible habitat. They're not easy to tell apart, but Anastasia is a little smaller and her tail curls up over her back. Kasha is larger and his tail curls to the side.