News Details

May 29, 2026

Mr. Potter Joins Mr. Reeves at Zoo Exhibit
Second black bear becomes newest addition to Menominee Park Zoo

A favorite resident of Oshkosh’s Menominee Park Zoo now has a companion.

Mr. Potter, a 1 ½-year-old black bear, arrived at the zoo in Oshkosh on May 18. He joins fellow black bear Mr. Reeves, a favorite of zoogoers since he arrived in November of 2024. Mr. Potter and Mr. Reeves were successfully introduced in the exhibit today and immediately established a positive bond. Mr. Reeves also came to the Menominee Park Zoo from Alaska.

Mr. Potter was rescued as cub by the state of Alaska in fall of 2025 after his mother passed away, and was transferred to the Alaska Zoo for treatment and care. The team at the Alaska Zoo gave him the name “Harry Potter.”

An anonymous donor provided $5,000 to aid with transportation for Mr. Potter, as well as the cost to return the crate to the zoo in Alaska.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Mr. Potter to the zoo, and we’re grateful for the community support that made this possible,” said Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill. “Support like this allows us to continue to provide memorable experiences for our residents and visitors.”

“Today is another milestone for Menominee Park Zoo, as we have met the goal of establishing a quality educational exhibit that was designed for two bears, and we now have our second bear,” said Parks Services and Events Manager Chad Dallman. “We are grateful this experience will educate our community and visitors for generations to come.”

Menominee Park Zoo staff members would like to acknowledge Tom and Penny Harenburg, the Jim Ryan Fund, and the Friends of the Oshkosh Zoo for continued support of initiatives like these.

Zoo visitors can now see Mr. Potter during regular zoo hours. The zoo is open daily from 9 am – 6 pm, and is located at 520 Siewert Trail in Oshkosh. Admission to the zoo is free. More information about the zoo can be found on the Menominee Park Zoo webpage. Questions about the Menominee Park Zoo may be directed to Chad Dallman, Parks Services and Events Manager, at (920) 236-5080.