John Ball Zoo invites its community to meet a new member of the chimpanzee troop and other new animals on opening day, Friday March 22.
John Ball Zoo will open for its 133rd year this week, bringing in new animals and exciting events centered around supporting the conservation of wildlife and wild places.
“We are very excited to welcome the community back to the Zoo for the 2024 season,” says Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo. “We hope families can create lasting memories and learn about conservation during their visit and engage with our new Zoo residents and events. There is so much to look forward to this year.”
John Ball Zoo’s chimpanzee troop gained a new member, Zuhura (Zoo-hoo-ra), whose name means “morning star.” She is a 10-year-old chimpanzee who came to John Ball Zoo from the Detroit Zoo. The move was recommended by experts at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to benefit the social needs of Zu and John Ball Zoo’s troop.
The Zoo also welcomed four male Chacoan peccaries (Chuh-co-an peck-aries), a pig-like endangered species native to the Gran Chaco, a hot and dry plain in Paraguay. The peccaries arrived from three different AZA institutions, and John Ball Zoo visitors can find them along the South American boardwalk.
Guests will also see three San Clemente Island goats, who were welcomed to the improved Red’s Hobby Farm this season. The Zoo completed renovations to the hobby farm during the off-season, making a more dynamic environment for the animals, including new climbing structures for animal enrichment and extended fencing to allow for more room for Pumpkin, the Dwarf Highland cow.
Zoo guests may also recognize an Amur tiger, Titan, who was welcomed back from Toledo Zoo at the recommendation of the AZA so he can be part of a breeding pair.
The Zoo will also feature Wild Explorer, a new educational experience that uses fully immersive Virtual Reality technology so guests can get closer than ever to gorillas in the jungle and understand them in their natural habitats. The experience features a 360-degree, live action film with motion platform seating that adds to the experience. This attraction will remain at the Zoo for a minimum of three years.
There is always something to do at John Ball Zoo with a line-up of inspiring events for 2024, including the upcoming Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, Wildlife Exploration Days, RendeZoo, Dino Adventures and more. Tickets to events at John Ball Zoo can be found on the Zoo’s website.
John Ball Zoo is open to the public from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on opening day. Throughout March, the Zoo is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. The Zoo encourages guests to reserve their tickets online before their visit. Tickets can also be purchased at the Zoo.
