Up Close & Wild
Some of life’s greatest moments of discovery never lose their magic.
Whether you’re five or ninety-five, there is something captivating about coming face-to-face with a colorful bird, an unusual reptile, or a curious creature you’ve never seen before. At Southfield Village, those moments of wonder arrive every month when the Potawatomi Zoo brings the animal kingdom directly to residents through its popular “Zoo to You” program.
Long before the first animal makes its appearance, the room is already buzzing with anticipation.
Will it be a bird? A reptile? A furry mammal? No one knows until the zoo educators walk through the door with their special guests, and that surprise has become part of the experience residents eagerly anticipate.
For resident Carol Shide, the programs have become something she looks forward to each month.
“Oh, I enjoy looking forward to them coming and seeing who they are going to bring,” she said.
One of her favorites is a blue-and-gold macaw named Katie.
“She’s a lovely bird,” Carol said. “Probably the prettiest one.”
The “Zoo to You” program is part of Potawatomi Zoo’s broader educational mission to connect people with wildlife and conservation. Zoo educators travel to schools, libraries, retirement communities, and other organizations to present programs across the region.
“Not everybody has the opportunity to come to the zoo,” explained Zoo Educator Emily Binns. “By bringing the zoo into the community, we’re able to help people learn about different animals and conservation while seeing these amazing animals up close.”
Rather than simply presenting facts, each program encourages residents to actively engage with the animals and the stories behind them.
“Residents get that hands-on opportunity,” Emily said. “They see the animals while learning about them, and they’re able to make those connections in a much more meaningful way.”
That interactive approach is exactly what Carol enjoys most.
“You can actually see them up close,” she said. “Sometimes you even get to touch them.”
Each animal selected for the program is an ambassador animal—comfortable around people, responsive to training, and able to travel safely. Because the animals rotate throughout the year, every visit offers something new and keeps residents wondering what might arrive next.
The experience doesn’t end when the animals leave.
“Some of the residents I’ve talked to want to know what animals they brought,” Carol said. “I think it really sparks conversation.”
She especially enjoys discovering facts she never knew before. One that stuck with her was learning that macaws can live to be nearly 80 years old.
For Emily, it’s the residents’ enthusiasm that makes Southfield Village one of her favorite places to visit.
“One of the things I enjoy most is how engaged the residents are,” she said. “They ask a lot of questions. They really want to learn.”
That curiosity helps shape each presentation. Zoo educators often adapt the program based on residents’ questions, creating conversations that are just as memorable as the animals themselves.
Some of the best moments, however, are completely unexpected.
Carol still laughs when she remembers an armadillo that was allowed to explore the room.
“He ran around, chased her, and then he’d kind of fall over so she could rub his belly,” Carol recalled. “That was really cool. They need to bring him back.”
For the Potawatomi Zoo, partnerships like the one with Southfield Village help fulfill its mission of education and conservation.
For Southfield Village residents, however, the monthly visits have become something even more meaningful.
They create opportunities to gather with neighbors, learn something new, share a laugh, and experience the joy of discovery together. Residents also enjoy regular group outings to the Potawatomi Zoo for even more wildlife adventures.
After all, curiosity doesn’t have an age limit—and every month, the Potawatomi Zoo reminds residents that there is always something new to explore.