zoo fan55
Well-Known Member
The zoo has announced on Facebook that Penelope the female pygmy hippo is pregnant!John Ball Zoo
John Ball Zoo John Ball Zoo (Grand Rapids, MI)
- Thread starter okapikpr
- Start date
Great news! The calf is expected next month (early to mid August).
An article about how the Zoo and the local prosthetic center to create an orthotic for Andes, a Chilean flamingo, after he developed a limp.
Grand Rapids zoo, hospital create custom leg brace to heal flamingo’s injury
Grand Rapids zoo, hospital create custom leg brace to heal flamingo’s injury
The Zoo received a $15 million donation, which will go toward the upcoming giraffe complex. It is planned to open in 2028.
Giraffes coming to John Ball Zoo thanks to historic $15M donation
Giraffes coming to John Ball Zoo thanks to historic $15M donation
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The cub is a girl, and was named Juniper.
Find out the name of the John Ball Zoo's new snow leopard cub | wzzm13.com
Other July 2025 / Piece of August 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On July 27th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2) meerkats named Daisy and Dinari, which are on exhibit.
John Ball Zoo
On July 31st, it was reported that a female zoo employee was attacked by an intruder near one of the facility's service entrances on July 30th, and the intruder was quickly arrested.
Also on July 31st, it was reported that a part-time zoo volunteer was arrested and will serve 6 months in jail for taking NSFW videos of guests without consent.
https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/employee-at-zoo-in-grand-rapids-assaulted/
Ex-John Ball Zoo worker gets jail for taking upskirt photos with dust pan camera
On August 3rd, it was reported that the zoo released conceptual images of what the future aquarium might look like.
Renderings show early ideas for metro Grand Rapids aquarium
https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/renderings-show-early-ideas-for-metro-grand-rapids-aquarium/
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On August 29th, the zoo announced that 2+ Kaup's caecillians were born, which are now on exhibit.
John Ball Zoo
On July 27th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2) meerkats named Daisy and Dinari, which are on exhibit.
John Ball Zoo
On July 31st, it was reported that a female zoo employee was attacked by an intruder near one of the facility's service entrances on July 30th, and the intruder was quickly arrested.
Also on July 31st, it was reported that a part-time zoo volunteer was arrested and will serve 6 months in jail for taking NSFW videos of guests without consent.
https://www.woodtv.com/news/grand-rapids/employee-at-zoo-in-grand-rapids-assaulted/
Ex-John Ball Zoo worker gets jail for taking upskirt photos with dust pan camera
On August 3rd, it was reported that the zoo released conceptual images of what the future aquarium might look like.
Renderings show early ideas for metro Grand Rapids aquarium
https://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/renderings-show-early-ideas-for-metro-grand-rapids-aquarium/
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On August 29th, the zoo announced that 2+ Kaup's caecillians were born, which are now on exhibit.
John Ball Zoo
Pygmy hippo Penelope gave birth to a calf yesterday. It's gender is unannounced at the moment.
John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "A little splash of joy has arrived at the Zoo We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our pygmy hippo calf! First-time parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed their 11-pound little one September 3, marking a historic moment as this is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the Zoo. Pygmy hippos are an endangered species with fewer than 2,500 estimated in the wild, so each birth is a vital step for conservation. Our animal care team is keeping a close eye on mom and baby as they bond behind the scenes, and both are doing well. This announcement was brought to you by @michiganfirstcu. : Zookeeper Amanda"
John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "A little splash of joy has arrived at the Zoo We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our pygmy hippo calf! First-time parents Penelope and Jahari welcomed their 11-pound little one September 3, marking a historic moment as this is the first pygmy hippo calf born at the Zoo. Pygmy hippos are an endangered species with fewer than 2,500 estimated in the wild, so each birth is a vital step for conservation. Our animal care team is keeping a close eye on mom and baby as they bond behind the scenes, and both are doing well. This announcement was brought to you by @michiganfirstcu. : Zookeeper Amanda"
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The calf is male, as announced on a Facebook live video.
Pygmy hippopotamus calf naming competition:
A naming competition is in progress for the male Pygmy hippopotamus calf:
Help Name John Ball Zoo's Adorable Baby Pygmy Hippo
John Ball Zoo shares their reasoning behind the three names:
A naming competition is in progress for the male Pygmy hippopotamus calf:
Help Name John Ball Zoo's Adorable Baby Pygmy Hippo
John Ball Zoo shares their reasoning behind the three names:
- Hugo - which means smart and spirited
- Blitz - because the lil' guy is cute and very fast
- Sapo - Sapo National Park in Liberia is the Pygmy Hippos native habitat
Deaths of chimpanzee and kelp gull:
John Ball Zoo mourns the deaths of kelp gull 'Sunny' and chimpanzee 'Sammy' | wzzm13.com
Sunny was one of only two kelp gulls in human care at an AZA-accredited facility. He was almost 42 years old when he died after developing a serious health issue last week. The zoo said that the issue affected his movement and coordination.
John Ball Zoo mourns the deaths of kelp gull 'Sunny' and chimpanzee 'Sammy' | wzzm13.com
Sunny was one of only two kelp gulls in human care at an AZA-accredited facility. He was almost 42 years old when he died after developing a serious health issue last week. The zoo said that the issue affected his movement and coordination.
Pygmy hippopotamus calf named:
The male Pygmy hippopotamus calf has been named Hugo:
Zoo officials said the name means smart and spirited, "just like we expect him to be."
John Ball Zoo announces pygmy hippo baby's name | wzzm13.com
The male Pygmy hippopotamus calf has been named Hugo:
Zoo officials said the name means smart and spirited, "just like we expect him to be."
John Ball Zoo announces pygmy hippo baby's name | wzzm13.com
The Zoo got a $250,000 grant - it’ll go towards educational and interactive elements for the upcoming African expansion.
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Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The baby Pygmy hippo "Hugo" made his public debut today.
John Ball Zoo’s first-ever pygmy hippo calf makes public debut
John Ball Zoo’s first-ever pygmy hippo calf makes public debut
This is just a member preview. His official public debut is this Saturday.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
How many chimps do they currently have? Also, for the 2026 season will the new otter habitat be open?
They should have five at the moment - three older chimps, two younger.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
The zoo now has an albino American mink in the natural treasures building; I think one of the former primate exhibits.
Piece of September / October 2025 News Not Mentioned:
On September 12th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (3m.0) Canadian lynxes named Jasper, Rocky, and Yukon to Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. earlier in summer.
Canada Lynx Have Arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
On October 31st, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred (1m.1f) Von der Decken's hornbills to Woodland Park Zoo in Washington*.
* Information sourced from @SZM in the Woodland Park Zoo News 2025 thread (Page 5 Post #87).
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On November 19th, the zoo announced they will transfer a (0.1f) giant anteater named Rio to another unspecified facility during the winter.
John Ball Zoo
On September 12th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (3m.0) Canadian lynxes named Jasper, Rocky, and Yukon to Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. earlier in summer.
Canada Lynx Have Arrived at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
On October 31st, it was mentioned that the zoo transferred (1m.1f) Von der Decken's hornbills to Woodland Park Zoo in Washington*.
* Information sourced from @SZM in the Woodland Park Zoo News 2025 thread (Page 5 Post #87).
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On November 19th, the zoo announced they will transfer a (0.1f) giant anteater named Rio to another unspecified facility during the winter.
John Ball Zoo