On Father’s Day, we made a trip to the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana. South Bend is on the border between Michigan and Indiana. It is within 3 hours of Detroit, Chicago, and Indianapolis (About a 2-hour drive for us from Chicago’s western suburbs). We’ve been to this zoo before – it’s a nice, smaller zoo. This time we came for an opportunity that we haven’t had before: a bison encounter.
The bison encounter at the Potawatomi Zoo is offered Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm (Eastern) from May-October. They have openings for up to six people for each feeding. Reservations must be made ahead of time via their website. While most of their slots for this summer are still open, for Father’s Day we were could only get two. Although not ideal for a family of five, I’m glad we took the opportunity.
The zoo has two halves. The Eastern half of the zoo contains their Asian, Australian, and African animals. The railroad track that circles the zoo also cuts through the middle, separating the two halves. On the Western half you can find animals from both South and North America. This is where you’ll find the bison exhibit.
Potawatomi Zoo is home to four bison: 2-year olds Bobbie (male) and Zipper (female), 14-year old Azul (female), and 18-year old Geronimo (male). Bison have an average life span of 15-20 years, so Bobby and Zipper were acquired in 2018 as part of a continuation plan for the exhibit.
The bison exhibit is pretty good size. On the southwestern portion of the exhibit there is a barn-like canopy by which the bison like to hang out and shield themselves from the weather – either hot sun or precipitation. This canopy backs up to the wire fencing that surrounds the exhibit, and has four removable wooden windows. Behind the fencing and these windows there is an area fenced off that is about four feet wide and 20 feet long – and this is where the bison encounter takes place.
Two staff members greeted us for the encounter. The first was a keeper who (among other things) cares for the bison. The second was a member of the zoo’s education team. They carried with them a large bucket of hay, and several servings of lettuce. While opening the windows, the keeper gave a few simple instructions in how to feed the bison. These included not touching the animal on the head (despite the temptation to interact with such a large animal) as doing so could potentially spook the bison and lead to thrashing and potentially pinched arms or fingers. Almost as if on cue, the largest bison (Geronimo) pushed one of the others out of the way as he lumbered up to the opening, and we all got the message loud and clear!
For the most part, taking a handful of hay and feeding it through the window to the bison was very similar to feeding lettuce or tree branches to giraffes, which we’ve done as a family dozens of times. For giraffes, there’s the constant need to keep them involved for fear that they might walk away and tire of waiting for food – this was not so with the bison! Although they might put their head down to consume the hay, they were quickly back up for seconds if the smell of grass was coming from anywhere near the window.
Occasionally while feeding the bison, their tongue would curl up onto your hand a bit while trying to take the hay. It was much more rough and prickly than a giraffe’s tongue. At no time during the encounter though did we feel threatened or in danger. In addition to being behind a rather sturdy wall, the bison (as the keeper pointed out) are gentle giants, very content with interacting with the humans in order to get food.
Despite the non-overwhelming size of the bucket, feeding hay to the four bison was not a quick task. I would say we stayed busy trading windows for nearly 20 minutes. For those not inside the feeding area, there was immediate viewing just inches behind the secondary fence. This made for good conversation with those watching and the zoo staff throughout the encounter.
Overall I would say this was one of the best animal encounters that we’ve experienced. During our journey to 48 zoos, we’ve fed giraffes, ostriches, rhinos, camels, and other animals that I’m sure I’m forgetting. Several things went into this encounter being enjoyable.
- First was probably the staff. They were very friendly and helpful. They answered any and all questions we had. While they were there to ensure safety, they gave us some space and allowed for an interaction to take place.
- Secondly, the setup was really good. Because the registration was online, there was no waiting in lines or battling others for a chance to feed. Six people is a good amount for this encounter.
- Third, we really enjoyed that it was something our three-year-old could do. The encounter scared her at times, but lasted long enough for her to try it. Eventually, she enjoyed being around an 1,800 pound animal.
- Lastly, the price. This feeding cost $15 per person. Although we’ve never seen a bison encounter offered elsewhere to compare it to, this compares very favorably to the cost of encounters of many other animals.
I strongly urge you to find time this summer to head out to the Potawatomi Zoo to feed the bison. You’ll love it; your kids will love it; and if nothing else…I know Geronimo will love it!
Other photos of our encounter:
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