South Bend's Potawatomi Zoo has banner year for babies

Ed Semmler, South Bend Tribune
·2 min read

SOUTH BEND ― No one knows for certain whether a record was set, but officials at the Potawatomi Zoo do know that 2022 will be remembered as one of the most active years for animal births in recent memory.

Here are some of the highlights.

The year started with the birth of screech owl chicks on Feb. 18 and 20, followed by a Sichuan takin on March 2, then a Chicoan peccary on March 31, a three-banded Armadillo on April 2, a Linne’s two-toed sloth on May 9, flamingo chicks on July 11 and 13, a pair of Chacoan peccaries on Oct. 22 and, most recently, a southern tamandua on Nov. 5.

Meet Anastasia:New leopard comes to stay at the Potawatomi zoo, where her mother was born years ago

Jami Richard, curator of animals, holds the new southern tamandua Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend. The newborn is the offspring of Olive and Franklin, tamanduas that are a genus of anteaters.
Jami Richard, curator of animals, holds the new southern tamandua Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend. The newborn is the offspring of Olive and Franklin, tamanduas that are a genus of anteaters.

The tamandua, which is also known as the collared or lesser anteater, is native to South America and isn’t threatened or endangered. But zoo officials were especially thrilled because it’s the first time they’ve had a baby tamandua.

“We’ve been hoping for this for a number of years,” Executive Director Josh Sisk said. The parents are Olive and Franklin, who are part of the zoo’s ambassador program ― meaning they’re often taken to schools and other places as part of the zoo’s outreach efforts.

Anastasia came to the Potawatomi Zoo this summer. Her grandmother lived at the zoo for many years and her mother was born here.
Anastasia came to the Potawatomi Zoo this summer. Her grandmother lived at the zoo for many years and her mother was born here.

Being used to humans, Olive was willing to let Jami Richard, the zoo’s curator of animals, show off her offspring, who appears to be a boy, but as of yet, remains unnamed until keepers are certain of its gender.

It could be about six months before the baby is taken out into the public, and there’s a chance that another of the zoo’s sloths could be pregnant, Richard said.

Besides the babies, the zoo’s first ever giraffes made their first public appearances in 2022, and a young Amur leopard took over the habitat that was occupied for years by her grandmother Pearl.

Lions are also soon to make a return to the zoo in a new habitat, and by the end of 2023, a $6 million black bear exhibit and concession is expected to open.

A family views the "12 Days of Christmas" light display at a past "The Gift of Lights" event at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend. The 2022 event runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18.
A family views the "12 Days of Christmas" light display at a past "The Gift of Lights" event at Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend. The 2022 event runs from Nov. 25 to Dec. 18.

Before this season is over, the public is invited to drop by the zoo to visit Santa, ride the train and stroll the park during the annual "Gift of Lights," which is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 18.

Cost of admission is $11 and $6 for children 3 to 14. Cost for zoo members is $8 and $4 for children. Price for seniors is $6.

Email Tribune staff writer Ed Semmler at esemmler@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Potawatomi Zoo enjoying a strong year for animal births in South Bend