Slyde the Otter can’t believe the John Ball Zoo’s 2021 season is almost over. (Supplied)
The last week of the John Ball Zoo’s 2021 season is upon us with the zoo’s last day set for Sunday, Nov. 21.
For the last week, admission has been reduced to $5. The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Tickets may be purchased at the zoo or online at jbzoo.org/tickets.
Guests should note that due to the colder weather there are animals that are now in their winter habitats behind the scenes as the zoo. These animals include toucans, flamingos, and budgies. However, the red pandas, tigers, penguins, chimpanzees, bears, and other animals are still out.
It’s that spooky time of year and John Ball Zoo is joining in the Halloween fun by announcing the return of Zoo Goes Boo for two weekends Oct. 15 – 17 and Oct. 22 – 24.
The Zoo’s annual Zoo Goes Boo event is a family favorite destination for trick-or-treating. John Ball Zoo will transform into the ultimate Halloween destination with decorations, entertainment, costumes, candy, and the Zoo’s amazing animals. Zoo Goes Boo is presented by Meijer.
Traditions returns this year with spooky treat stations ready for trick-or-treating located throughout the Zoo, along with strolling entertainment.
Guests are encouraged to get in on the spooky fun and wear costumes. Also, John Ball Zoo is always looking for ways to be a friend of the environment, so they request that guests bring their own reusable bags for trick-or-treating or purchase one from the gift shop.
John Ball Zoo would like to remind families to make mindful choices when shopping for chocolate and candy this Halloween. Buy from companies that are members of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil or chocolate products certified by the Rainforest Alliance.
Zoo Goes Boo will be from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day, with a Zoo members’ only hour beginning at 9:00 a.m. John Ball Zoo would like to remind guests that Zoo Goes Boo is a children’s event. Adults in costume are requested to dress appropriately and costumes with masks are not allowed.
Guests are encouraged to purchase Zoo Goes Boo tickets in advance. A ticket link can be found online at jbzoo.org/event/zoogoesboo. John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids.
John Ball Zoo’s popular Adult Night Out continues with the third of the six event series this Thursday, July 15.
Adult Night Out gives guests ages 21+ the opportunity to experience the Zoo at night without any kids. There will be select animal encounters for guests to enjoy, along with beer and wine selections, including a specialty brew from Two Guys Brewing, and delicious food options throughout the Zoo.
For July 15th, a tropical-themed menu will be offered at the Zoo’s Monkey Island Café featuring cilantro lime rice mixed with juicy pulled pork served in a pineapple bowl, a classic Cuban sandwich, jerk chicken wrap with rice, greens, jerk chicken and the Zoo’s signature sauce, along with pineapple Dole Whip.
John Ball Zoo will be hosting three additional Adult Night Out evenings on July 29, and August 12, 26. They are a perfect date night, an opportunity to network, or to enjoy a friends’ night out.
Each Adult Night Out is 6 – 9 p.m. The Zoo offers four times to enter at 6, 6:15, 6:30, and 6:45 p.m.
Tickets for all dates are available online for $18 for members or $20 for non-members at jbzoo.org/AdultNightOut. Limited tickets are available for each evening. Both events in the month of June did sell out, so the Zoo highly recommends reserving tickets before the event.
John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For questions for more information, visit www.jbzoo.org, call 616-336-4301 or email info@jbzoo.org.
Guests can tell Zenon and Chione apart because males are more uniformly white and smaller than females. Females have a more extensive black speckled pattern.(Supplied)
The latest addition to the John Ball Zoo is two snowy owls which have now made their home in a newly constructed habituated located at the zoo’s Forest Realm near the Amur tigers.
The zoo recently acquired the two owls from different Michigan raptor rehabilitator organizations. The owls, the male is Zenon named after the Zeno the Greek philosopher and the female is Chione after the Greek goddess of snow, cannot be released back it not he wild because of injuries.
Zoo officials said they hope for a mating match as Zenon and Chione are recommended for breeding as part of the snow owl’s Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP oversees the population management of select species within the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums member institutions and to enhance conservation of this species in the wild.
In the wild, snowy owls live in the northern hemisphere around the world, along open fields, tundra, and shorelines. They primarily eat other birds, fish, and small mammals – typically lemmings and mice. Also, unlike many other owl species, snowy owls are active during the day and spend a majority of their time on the ground.
Snowy owls utilize sight, sound and touch to communicate and perceive their environment. Males “hoot” more frequently than females, and seem to use this vocalization in territorial defense and establishment. Males and females also give a variety of other calls, including a “rick, rick, rick”, a “kre kre kre”, a mewing and a hiss.
With an approximate number of 28,000 mature individuals in the wild, the snowy owl’s conservation status is vulnerable. Humans are considered the most prevalent predator of snowy owls. Snowy owls are killed by humans for food, trophies, and to protect game animals. Other predators include foxes, jaegers, and probably dogs, wolves and other avian predators.
One of the Kent District Library’s beloved buddies, Curi, has decided to tour the local parks this summer. If you want to catch up to where he is, then you need to find him. KDL will provide clues to those participating in the Summer Wonder program a partnership between KDL and Kent County Parks Department. For more information about the Summer Wonder program, visit kdl.org.
Pollinators and POPnology
If the temperatures get too hot, then cool off at the Grand Rapids Public Museum which is featuring two new exhibits this summer, “POPnology” and “Amazing Pollinators.” “POPnology” combines pop culture and technology, showcasing how science fiction has become science fact. “Amazing Pollinators” is a maze that visitors follow taking 48 survival missions from eight different pollinator groups, including bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, moths, flies, and wasps. For more on the exhibits, visit grpm.org.
Big and Small
OR wander through the John Ball Zoo to visit the animals and check out the zoo’s latest BRICKLIVE exhibit, “Supersized!” featuring some of the word’s smallest creatures in large-than-life proportions. Or put it on the calendar to check out the next Adult Night Out series on Thursday which features brews from Wyoming’s own Two Guys Brewing. For more on the zoo, visit, jbzoo.org.
Fun Fact: Hey, Little Sister
We know that sometimes it can take a while to have family join you in the United States after immigrating here. For the Statute of Liberty, it took 136 years for her sister to finally make the trip. Wishing to emphasize the importance of the bonds between the United States and France, a group of French craft people created the nine-foot replica of the 181-foot one on Ellis Island. The statue is set to board a ship on June 19 to come to the United States. It will be on display for a short-time next to her ‘big sister’ in New York before heading to Washington D.C., where it will be on display for the next 10 years at the French embassy.
John Ball Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Docha, the Zoo’s 16-year-old male African lion. Docha’s care team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him due to progressive neurological issues, along with his declining health and quality of life on Tuesday afternoon.
“Many have a real connection to Docha and he will be greatly missed”, said Peter D’Arienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo. “He brought joy to many, and created real connections between people and wildlife that have advanced our mission, but most of all, he had a big personality that brought delight to literally millions of people.”
Docha had many health challenges in the past 10 to 12 years after developing epilepsy. Recently, his keepers noticed gradual changes that led the Zoo’s veterinarian, Dr. Ryan Colburn, to consult with Dr. Jill Neiderhuth a veterinary neurologist. Their observations of Docha led them to believe he had a lesion on the left side of his brain.
Confirming this diagnosis would have required Docha to be taken off-site for an MRI. Considering his age, health, and the inability to treat the lesion, Dr. Colburn and the team chose to begin close monitoring, while also attempting to alter Docha’s medications.
In recent days, the Zoo noticed a drastic change in Docha’s balance, stability, and simple motor functions. Due to these factors and the decline in the health and quality of his life, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize Docha.
Docha was born at Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens on April 10, 2005 and joined the John Ball Zoo family in May 2007. (Supplied)
“Docha’s story is a great example of the advancement of zoo medicine and how we can use medical technology and the expertise of veterinary specialists to provide the best possible care for our patients,” said Dr. Colburn. “In June 2011, after experiencing multiple seizures, Docha was transported to Michigan State University where he underwent an MRI that ultimately led to his diagnosis of epilepsy. In the wild, Docha would not have survived but since his diagnosis we have administered anti-seizure medication, along with consistent monitoring and care that led to a long life for Docha.”
Docha was born at Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens on April 10, 2005 and joined the John Ball Zoo family in May 2007. The average lifespan of an African lion in human care is 16.9 years and 10 to 14 years in the wild.
From the first day Docha stepped onto his habitat in 2007, he quickly became a favorite with John Ball Zoo guests and volunteers. He was an impressive ambassador for not only lions but all wild creatures.
“This is always an extremely difficult decision, but is especially difficult with an animal as unique as Docha,” said Tim Sampson, Animal Curator and Docha’s care giver since he arrived at John Ball Zoo. “Docha impacted the staff with his aloof personality and his goofy excitement especially when seeing his favorite people. He will be greatly missed.”
African lions are vulnerable in the wild. While not immediately threatened with extinction, their long-term survival is far from assured. African lions once lived across the entire continent of Africa, but have lost more than 92% of their native range to habitat loss.
Docha’s role in the Zoo as an ambassador for his species created educational moments and lifelong memories, while helping raise funds for the Lion Recovery Fund whose goal is to double the number of lions in the wild by 2050.
The animal care and veterinary staff at John Ball Zoo worked incredibly hard throughout this process. Docha will long be remembered as a wonderful ambassador for his species, and the impact he made will not be forgotten.
For more information about John Ball Zoo, visit www.jbzoo.org or call 616-336-4301.
Rose, Ruby and Willow are ready to meet their adorning fans which will be soon as the John Ball Zoo prepares for its opening day, March 27.
The zoo’s season officially kicks off at 9 a.m. that day with admission tickets going on sale starting this Friday, March 12, for opening day, through April 11.
The red panda triplets, Rose, Ruby, and Willow, are three of the most anticipated animals for guests to see this season, according to zoo officials. Born June 25, 2020, the three were growing and bonding behind the scenes last season and were out of the view of guests. The three are now romping and playing outside for everyone to enjoy along with their parents, Wyatt and Wasabi.
Also making a debut is Yoshi, a Canadian lynx born last May. While Yoshi may not look like a kitten anymore, she still has the same playful and energetic spirit that makes her a guest favorite.
Guest favorite Yosi, a Canadian Lynx, will be making an appearance during opening day. (Supplied/John Ball Zoo)
Many of the John Ball Zo’s animals are active and playful in the cool spring weather, while others prefer to stay inside until warmer temperatures arrive. There are a number of viewing opportunities for guest in the Aquarium, Natural Teasures, Frog’s buildings, and the chimpanzees in their day room.
Also on opening day, John Ball Zoo will offer a sneak peek into the SUPERSIZED exhibition. This exhibition supersizes nature’s small and mighty. From sneaky predators such as the fearless honey badger to the venomous blue-ringed octopus, the more than 30 toy brick sculptures are featured because of their colorful appearance in nature, unusual natural ability, and because they can be magnified to an eye-popping size.
John Ball Zoo will be operating at a limited guest capacity. Guests should reserve an online timed-entry ticket to secure their visit time. Tickets will be available at the zoo but immediate entry is not guaranteed. Spring hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Following the regulations of the State of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control, all guess ages 5 and older will be required to wear a mask at all times and everywhere in John Ball Zoo, including outdoor spaces. Guests may remove their mask temporarily to eat or drink when at a safe distance from others.
Social distancing will be encouraged and additional hand washing and sanitizing stations will be available along with cashless transactions and monitoring the number of guests inside buildings.
To reserve timed entry tickets and for more information, visit John Ball Zoo’s website at www.jbzoo.org/visitandtickets. For questions, call 616-336-4300 or email info@jbzoo.org.
Only three days left for guests to enjoy John Ball Zoo for the 2020 season. Guests can get their last visits for the year to see the red pandas, along with the chimpanzees, meerkats, lions, bears, tigers and the other amazing animals from Friday, Nov. 20 – Sunday, Nov. 22.
Along with many new babies, including red pandas, armadillos, Canada lynx and others, the Zoo had had other exciting additions for the 2020 season. Guests are now welcomed by a new front entry valley, which includes a winding ADA compliant entry pathway, along with new restrooms, concession stand and groundwork to bring new animals into the Zoo family.
With the increased cases of COVID, the Zoo will require all guests ages 5 and older to wear a mask at all times and everywhere in the Zoo, including outdoor spaces. They also have again reduced guest capacity within the Zoo to allow space for social distancing.
With limited admission tickets available, guests are highly encouraged to reserve their timed tickets ahead of time to guarantee their preferred date and time. Tickets are available at www.jbzoo.org. John Ball Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more information about the John Ball Zoo, visit jbzoo.com.
Binder Park Zoo recently announced that a baby black and white colobus monkey was born in the early hours of Oct. 31 at the zoo.
Parents Usi and Nairobi produced the offspring, whose gender has not been determined yet, upon a breeding recommendation of an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan. The event marks the first birth of a primate in almost five years at the zoo when a black mangabey monkey was born in October of 2015.
The “baby monkeys are born with their eyes open and a strong grip which they need to cling to mom,” said Kelsey Miller, lead keeper at Binder Park Zoo. “We’re really happy that this little one is alert, appears healthy and is demonstrating a good strong grip.” Other than observing and providing basic care, keepers maintain a “hands-off” approach with the new family to encourage their natural parenting instincts. “Nairobi is showing that she is a calm and attentive mom to her baby and we see Usi being protective of them both”– the behaviors we hope for, especially for first-timers,” Miller said.
Colobus monkeys have lived at Binder Park Zoo since 1998. The Monkey Valley exhibit opened in 1999 and remains an engaging “in-the-round” exhibit where two primate species coexist – the black and white colobus and black mangabeys. The current colobus troop consists of three monkeys; male Usi, his mate Nairobi and a female named Puddin’. Rejected by his mother as an infant, Usi was hand-raised by his keepers, which included round the clock feedings and specialized care. An important goal was to rear him to identify as a monkey and not a human – a particular challenge of hand-raising primates. Zoo staff were successful and Usi was ultimately introduced, and accepted by the troop. Usi’s name means “eyebrow” in Swahili – in response to the pronounced eyebrows he was born with. Nairobi was born at Lincoln Park Zoo in 2015 and came to Binder Park Zoo in 2018 together with her female companion/aunt named Puddin’. Puddin’s experience as a senior troop member places her in a guardian role, helping to protect Nairobi and care for the youngster – duties that troop members typically share.
“Usi didn’t necessarily have an ideal start in life,” said Kathryn Sippel, the zoo’s curator of collections . “When you hand-raise an animal you develop a special affection for them, rooting for the underdog.
“So, it’s been very rewarding for our Animal Care staff to watch him grow into the primate he was meant to be, and now become a father. Usi was born on April 16, the first day of the 2015 zoo season, and it’s interesting that five years later, his baby is born on the last day of the 2020 season! It shows how much time, patience and tenacity is often invested in these important programs.”
The eastern black and white colobus or Colobus guereza are native to equatorial Africa. The name “colobus” is from the Greek word for “mutilated,” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs. One of only two colobus species, the other being the Angolan colobus, black and white colobus have shiny black fur and a white-framed bearded face. They are the most arboreal of African monkeys and spend most of their time in the treetops. Their long mantle hair and tails appear to act like parachutes during long leaps between branches in the tree canopy.
“It is an honor to be part of the extraordinary conservation work at Binder Park Zoo” said Binder Park Zoo President and CEO Diane Thompson. “Our zookeepers and veterinary staff, along with the other staff members, make a difference daily, and their work matters. Knowing that our conservation efforts have resulted in expanding the efforts of protecting this vital species is thrilling. We are genuinely excited to welcome the baby colobus to the zoo family.”
Gestation for colobus is approximately six months. They are born with a pink face and white fur. They begin to change color at around four weeks of age and acquire the characteristic black and white adult coloration at approximately three months of age. Guests can expect to see the youngster on exhibit in the spring.
Binder Park Zoo is closed to the public now for the winter months and will open again on April 15, 2021. Visit binderparkzoo.org for more zoo news and follow us on Facebook.
Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.
Will Nelson
Watch a movie
This weekend Gun Lake Casino will be hosting “Wheels and Reels”, an outdoor movie fundraiser. At 6 p.m., the casino will be showing “The Grinch” (2018) and at 9 p.m. will be “Elf.” Tickets can be purchased at https://gunlakecasino.com/promotions/toysfortots/. Tickets must be purchased online prior to the start of the movie and each vehicle has a minimum donation of $15. Each ticket includes a package of concession-style snacks and all proceeds raised at the event will be used to purchase toys for this holiday season.
Journey through IllumiZoo – a Glenlore Tale
Take a journey through “IllumiZoo – a Glenlore Tale” at John Ball Zoo. Guest will follow the path as they pass through a display of colors and sounds as they are told a magical tale. The lightshow is one mile long and takes 45-60 minutes to walk, depending on your pace. This event takes place on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 p.m. – 11p.m. and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 6 p.m. – midnight until Nov. 15. Tickets are $25 – $10 with children 2 and under free. Also, this weekend is the final weekend for the “BRICKLIVE Animal Paradise,” an exhibition of more than 40 life-sized animal sculptures created with more than 1.8 million individually colored toy building bricks. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://www.jbzoo.org/IllumiZoo.
Get spooked at The Haunt
Halloween festivities are wrapping up and this is the last weekend to visit The Haunt. For the past 20 years visitors have been screaming to leave the premises of The Haunt with the local attraction not letting COVID-19 stop the ghosts from making their appearances. Under new ownership, the attraction has been completely redone with more than 144 rooms, more than 100 actors and 62 animatronics that are guaranteed to give you a scare. The Haunt is located at 1256 28th St. SW right in Wyoming. Tickets are $30 or $25 for groups of 6-10. For more information, visit https://the-haunt.com/.
The tallest dog to ever live was actually the Great Dane named Zeus who lived with a veterinarian and his family in Ostego. Zeus was three feet, eight inches tall, but when standing on his hind legs, he was seven feet, four inches tall. The late James Lebron was only six feet, nine inches and Michael Jordan is six feet, six inches. Zeus became a therapy dog and would visit local hospitals. He even had his own Facebook page, which was taken down after the gentle giant passed.
The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
Country Singer Dolly Parton
Wizards and muggles have a chance to explore the fantastic beasts of John Ball Zoo this weekend (John Ball Zoo)
The Fantastic Beasts of the Muggle World
Potion makers, spell casters and even muggles are invited to visit the John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton St., for a peek at the fantastic beasts of the muggle world. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and again next weekend, the lions, tigers, and bears will be out to showcase their unique talents during the Wizarding Weekends or visitors can take their chances in the forbidden forest. Costumes are highly encouraged. For more information, click here.
A Glimpse of Africa Festival
As part of Bridge GR, A Glimpse of Africa will be taking over Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, Sept. 12, from noon to 8 p.m.Fashion, art, food, and music will be featured throughout the day with performances from the dancers of Eritrean Youth, comedian Daniel Kumapayi, the band Netty BM & Myra Maimoh, and many more. For guests safety, the event will be limited to 100 attendees throughout the day. For more information, visit the organization’s Facebook page.
Things that Go Bump in the Night
Take a walking tour around Grand Rapids this weekend and learn about the spooky history of the city. During this tour, guests will learn the stories of a ghostly janitor still trying to clean up in his after life and a recently deceased man who still roams the city. Guests will meet at Lyons Square, 295 Lyon NW (right next to Grand River). Guests have the choice of a daytime tour at 11 a.m. or a night tour at 7 p.m. The walking tour lasts for about 90 minutes. Tours run from September to October. For more information, click here.
The Mackinaw Bridge at sunset (WKTV)
Fun Fact: 150 million and still counting…
Completed in 1957, the Mackinaw Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere, has been helping travelers go from the upper to the lower peninsula for more than five decades. Pre-COVID, the bridge averaged more than 11,600 vehicle crossings a day. In April 2020, that dropped to about 86,413 for the entire month. In September 2009, the bridge marked its 150th million vehicle crossing. To learn more about the Mackinaw Bridge, visit https://www.mackinacbridge.org/
John Ball Zoo is hosting their second Adult Night Out of the season on Thursday, August 27th for those aged 21 and up looking for a fun date night or friend’s night out.
Adult Night Out gives attendees the opportunity to experience the Zoo at night, with adult beverages, and without any kids. Zoo staff will rotate throughout the Zoo in front of animal habitats helping guests learn more about the animals and the Zoo during the evening. To allow proper social distancing, no scheduled programming will occur.
Attendees can also enjoy the summer evening with beer selections, specialty drinks, and delicious food options, including the recently launched JBZ beer in partnership with Brewery Vivant.
The Thursday, August 27th Adult Night Out is 5:15 – 9:00 p.m. Limited tickets are available so the Zoo highly recommends reserving tickets before the event. The Zoo offers four times to enter at 5:15 p.m., 5:45 p.m., 6:15 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. to help with space for safe social distancing.
The John Ball Zoo is hosting an Adult Night Out event Aug. 27. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Tickets can be purchased online for $18 for members or $20 for non-members at jbzoo.org/AdultNightOut. Tickets could be available for those who walk-up but the Zoo cannot guarantee these will be available. The Zoo notes that the July Adult Night Out did sell out days in advance.
Masks will be required for those medically able when visiting their indoor habitats, and for outdoor areas where a 6 feet distance is not possible between other guests. The Zoo asks for guests to bring their own mask. John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For questions or for more information, visit www.jbzoo.org, call (616) 336-4301 or email info@jbzoo.org.
Ruth Jones-Hairston was a respected educator for Grand Rapids Public Schools and dedicated John Ball Zoo supporter. In honor of Ruth, the Zoo announced it would name its new bald eagle after her. (Supplied)
John Ball Zoo announces that they will be honoring the legacy and memory of Ruth Jones-Hairston by naming their new bald eagle ‘Ruth’.
Ruth Jones-Hairston, who passed away in June of 2019, was an important part of Grand Rapids and the John Ball Zoo community. As an educator, she was both a teacher and principal in the Grand Rapids Public Schools. She worked hard to make sure every child knew they were important and could succeed. In retirement, she started Judah Educational Consultants.
Jones-Hairston served on the board for John Ball Zoo, where she inspired and helped found the Zoo’s JUMP program. She envisioned the children and families of Grand Rapids being able to enjoy the Zoo regardless of means or income level. Since it started, this program has allowed hundreds of thousands of families to enjoy the Zoo and helped make us a Zoo for all in the community.
“Naming the bald eagle after Ruth is a great way to honor someone who started an inclusive program at the Zoo and exemplified our values of conservation, education, community, and celebrate,” said Mike Lomonaco, Chief Community Engagement Officer for John Ball Zoo.
Zsanara Hoskins, Ruth’s daughter, commented about this special naming. “What an honor. Our mother represents everything that the eagle symbolizes and more! It is touching to know that her life, her beliefs, her “walk”, touched the lives of so many including the staff and community of John Ball Zoo so much so that they would want to honor her this way. We can’t wait to visit Ruth the eagle as a family at the Zoo.”
Ruth, the bald eagle, is 3-years-old. She was injured and unable to fly long distances making it difficult for her to survive in the wild. (Supplied)
A fun fact is that Jones-Hairston’s first school where she was a principal was Henry Paideia Academy and their mascot was the eagle.
Ruth, the bald eagle, is now in the bald eagle habitat near the Living Shores Aquarium at the Zoo. This bald eagle was hurt in the wild and came to John Ball Zoo from Wings of Wonder Raptor Sanctuary located in northern Michigan after a two month rehab. Ruth can now fly, but one wing still has issues and causes her to tire too quickly to survive in the wild.
Guests will see that Ruth looks different than Bea, the other bald eagle in the habitat. This is because Ruth is only 3-years-old and still has her juvenile feathers. These will molt into adult plumage in the next couple of years.
“We are excited for guests to see and learn about Ruth, the bald eagle, on their next visit to John Ball Zoo,” Lomonaco said. “Like Ruth Jones-Hairston, Ruth the bald eagle will help educate the community to appreciate wildlife, with grace and beauty, while also educating on the role John Ball Zoo plays in the saving of wildlife and wild habitats.”
John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For more information www.jbzoo.org or 616-336-4301.
John Ball Zoo hosts an Adult night out Thursday. (Supplied)
By Darci David John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo is hosting Adult Night Out this Thursday, July 23, for those aged 21 and up looking for a fun date night or friend’s night out.
Adult Night Out gives attendees the opportunity to experience the Zoo at night, with adult beverages, and without any kids. There will be select animal encounters for guests to choose from all starting at 7pm including; a turtle telemetry demo, bear training, a meerkat and African Cape porcupine talk, an animal spotlight, and fun trivia.
Guests can also enjoy the summer evening with beer and wine selections, specialty drinks and delicious food options. The newly launched JBZ beer in partnership with Brewery Vivant will also be served.
The Thursday, July 23, event is 6 – 9 p.m. Limited tickets are available so the Zoo highly recommends reserving tickets before the event. The Zoo offers three times to enter for the event at 5:45 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. to help with space for safe social distancing.
Tickets can be purchased online for $18 for members or $20 for non-members at jbzoo.org/AdultNightOut. Tickets could be available for those who walk-up but the Zoo cannot guarantee these will be available.
Masks will be required for those medically able when visiting their indoor habitats and for outdoor areas where a 6 feet distance is not possible between other guests. The Zoo asks for guests to bring their own mask.
John Ball Zoo is located on Fulton Ave., one mile west of downtown Grand Rapids. For questions or for more information, visit www.jbzoo.org, call 616-336-4301 or email info@jbzoo.org.
