Potawatomi Zoo - The Revitalization of Potawatomi Zoo
Oct 12, 2020 12:00 PM
Josh Sisk, Executive Director
Potawatomi Zoo - The Revitalization of Potawatomi Zoo
The Potawatomi Zoo is considered the oldest zoo in Indiana. After being a city run zoo for many decades, five years ago the Zoo went through the rigorous process of privatization. The privatization of the Zoo was a changing point for the small community zoo everyone in this region grew up with.
 
The Zoo is currently going through one of its largest revitalizations in its history. Just this year the Zoo opened a $2.5 million front entry plaza and gift shop. This October the Zoo is breaking ground on its largest project to date, estimated at over $5 million. This exciting new addition will change the face of our zoo making it a true regional destination.   
 
Josh will be presenting an overview of all the changes happening at the Potawatomi Zoo and share all the information about the next upcoming project. He will share what it means to be an accredited zoo and why it is so important to have a good zoo in our region. He will also update us on how the zoo is doing through the Covid-19 pandemic and how you and your family can still safely visit the zoo during these tough times.   

It is the mission of the Potawatomi Zoo to inspire excellence in education, conservation, and improved animal quality of life.

The vision of the Potawatomi Zoological Society is:

  • To protect and preserve the diversity of species on Earth
  • To provide guests with a unique and meaningful animal experience that is memorable, up close, and personal
  • To be recognized as a premier regional destination
  • To be responsible and respectful of the facilities and resources entrusted to us

https://www.potawatomizoo.org/

Josh Sisk, Executive Director - Brief Bio

Josh was born and raised just outside of Kansas City, Missouri. Living on a small farm with the typical menagerie of farm animals is what helped instill a strong passion for animals at an early age. Josh began his zoo career at age 16, caring for a mixed variety of animals at a private zoo near his hometown. Years later, Josh accepted a position as zookeeper for the Los Angeles Zoo in California where he worked for 10 years, as both zookeeper and supervisor over primates and carnivores.

In 2010, Josh transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City as a supervisor for the Central Park Zoo and was quickly promoted to a curatorial position at the Bronx Zoo. In 2016, Josh was recruited to help with the beginning of the Potawatomi Zoos revitalization period as General Curator, overseeing the Zoos animal collection and zookeepers.
 
While pursuing a master’s degree in Zoology, Josh has had the opportunity to travel the World. He has had the opportunity to track Grevy’s zebra in Kenya and study cheetah conservation in Namibia, Africa. He spent a month living in the rainforests of Borneo, Asia helping researchers study primates and took part in an ocean study swimming with whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez.
 
Just this past year,  Josh was promoted to Executive Director and helped lead the Zoo through the process of reaccreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, AZA.  

This will again be a hybrid meeting, with your choice of attending in-person or from afar via online Crowdcast. Here's the link to join in advance to save your space, or to join the day of the meeting.

Don't miss it!