John Ball Zoo

A bittersweet farewell to our majestic friend 🦁

Kiume, an African lion who has called John Ball Zoo home for more than a decade, will be moving to another AZA facility in the near future. There he'll be paired with an older female lion. Kiume was a companion to lioness Abena until her passing earlier this year. This move is based on recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA).

While we will miss him greatly, we are confident that he will receive exceptional care in his new home and continue to serve as a remarkable ambassador for African lions in the wild.

Please join us in wishing Kiume the best on his next journey by visiting him at the Zoo this week or sharing your favorite photos of him in the comments. 🧡

No trees? No problem! 🌳

Southern ground hornbills are truly down-to-earth birds. True to their name, ground hornbills spend most of their time walking on the ground. They typically favor wooded grasslands, where they hunt for large insects and small reptiles. 🐍

Just Yuki and her mini-me 🥹

We'd like to take a moment to congratulate our friend and partner Dave Pavlik for his nomination for the 2025 Indianapolis Prize Emerging Conservationist Award! The Indianapolis Prize is widely recognized as the world's leading animal conservation award. Dave is one of only 10 finalists, the only finalist being recognized for his work with invertebrates and the only finalist from the US.

We have the privilege of seeing him in action here at John Ball Zoo, breeding two of the world's rarest butterfly species, the Poweshiek Skipperling and Mitchell's Satyr. It’s rewarding to see an international conservation community acknowledge his remarkable work.

Congratulations Dave! 🦋 🎉

indianapoliszoo.com/prize/news/top-ten-finalists-for-2025-emerging-conservationist-award/

Wishing you and your troop a Happy Howl-loween 🎃

⚠️Caution⚠️ x-ray-ted content ☠️

Picture 1: Panther Chameleon
Picture 2: Cape Porcupine
Picture 3: Six-banded Armadillo
Picture 4: California Moray Eel
Picture 5: Tomato Frog

Last chance to walk among prehistoric giants 🦕

Step back in time and explore life-size, animatronic dinosaurs in a lush, immersive setting that brings the prehistoric age to life. Experience Dino Adventures before they go extinct on Nov. 10th! 🦖

Learn More: jbzoo.org/events/dino-adventures/

Making sure you flamin-GO the right way 🦩

🚧 Zoo Entrance Update 🚧

When visiting the Zoo, please use the Fulton St. entrance. The John Ball Park Dr. entrance is currently closed. Thank you! 😊

A day dedicated to everyone's favorite Pumpkin 🎃

Durango nose where to find the spooky fun 👻

It's the last weekend for Zoo Goes Boo, presented by Meijer! It's also the last week to purchase a Two for Boo membership.🎃 Now until Oct. 31st, when you purchase a membership, you receive two years of Zoo Goes Boo for the price of one!

A big thank you to our other sponsors, Two Men and a Truck, Nylaan Dental, The Laug Group at Morgan Stanley, and Pediatric Dental Specialists of West Michigan.

Click the link to sign up for a membership today: shop.jbzoo.org/all/memberships

It's a paw-some day to be a snow leopard

Ms. Mera is continuing to grow big and strong like her parents Yuki and Mylo. She was recently introduced to bones but still prefers to chew on mom's tail. 🤭

We'd like to congratulate our partner, Dr. Charu Mishra, Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Trust, for his nomination for the 2025 Indianapolis Prize. The award recognizes conservation leaders for their inspiring achievements in protecting endangered species around the world.

It's been an honor to collaborate with the Snow Leopard Trust and help support their work tracking snow leopards in the Gobi region of Mongolia. Together, we're better understanding this elusive species and how to protect it.❄️

Pumpkin spice with a side of Wasabi 🎃🌶️

📸: Enya deFeijter

This week is National Veterinary Technician Week, and at John Ball Zoo we are incredibly lucky to have two amazing veterinary technicians, Kaylee and Sovanny! Whether they are holding a patient for an examination, taking a blood sample, filling a prescription, analyzing laboratory samples, or assisting in surgery, veterinary technicians all over the world are dedicated, highly trained, and passionate advocates for their patients.🔬

Kaylee and Sovanny are constantly going above and beyond to help make sure every animal at John Ball Zoo gets the best possible medical care. They work alongside the veterinarians and the animal care staff to assess and optimize the wellbeing of all the animals at the zoo, from sea stars and fish in the aquarium to our bongos, bears, and chimpanzees. It is safe to say that Dr. Ryan and Dr. Alex would not be able to do their jobs without this amazing duo. 🦜

Kaylee and Sovanny, thank you for all that you do every day! Not only are we blessed to have you on our team, but our animals are lucky to have you helping with their care. 🧡

Hop, hop, hoppy birthday 🎉

We celebrated Micah's 5th birthday and Jackie's 3rd this past Tuesday with special ice treats filled with their favorite veggies. 🥕 Their actual birth dates are estimated to be on the 1st and 14th of October.

Wallaby joeys are born underdeveloped and go straight into the pouch, making their birth date hard to determine. It's usually estimated based on the mother's cycle and when the joey emerges. 🦘

When mom says, "Eat your greens," but not, "Don't play with your food." 🍃

📸: Enya deFeijter