Former employees sues Potawatomi Zoo over discrimination, alleges unsafe environment for animals

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Potawatomi Zoo is at the center of a lawsuit calling into question the way it treats staff and animals.

The zoo’s former curator alleges she suffered from discrimination while working there and witnessed unsafe and unsanitary living conditions for the zoo animals.

Jennifer Davis is that former zoo employee’s name. She worked for the zoo for a little over a year before court documents say she was terminated because of what she called discrimination and speaking up about the problem.

The lawsuit claims the zoo discriminated against the former curator Davis for being a woman.

It also alleges she was subjected to sexually harassing and offensive comments like one outlined in the lawsuit by the staff veterinarian at the zoo comparing fighting animals to women by saying they were: “just like women.”

Court documents suggest that “unsafe situations” applied to both the protected animals and the viewing public.

In a statement to ABC57, the Potawatomi Zoo said they could not address the specific claims made but that: “The board of directors and management of the zoo are confident in the dedicated hardworking staff who continue to focus on providing the highest level of animal care.”

Read the full lawsuit here.