John Ball Zoo John Ball Zoo (Grand Rapids, MI)

The storks have been acquired and officially announced. As I stated the keeper told me the other animals coming are sitatunga.
John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "We are introducing the FIRST animal that will be cohabitating in the new hippo exhibit! Drumroll please… European White Storks!! Meet Ned and Miss Kay. Not only are they roommates, but they are siblings. They were both born at Detroit Zoo however, they have been seperated for 25 years! They have been reunited at John Ball Zoo and we couldn’t be happier. Did you know that White Storks are carnivores? Their red, dagger-like bills are used to forage. They will wade in shallow water and tall grasses, stabbing prey with their long bills. Their diet ranges from small mammals and large insects to fish and reptiles. Ned and Miss Kay can eat 60% of their body weight each day! Join us during Hippopalooza to celebrate our new friends and exhibit June 2-4 from 9A-6P! Find out more about the celebration: https://jbzoo.org/events/hippopalooza/"
 
AlmightyKingPrawn said:
The storks have been acquired and officially announced. As I stated the keeper told me the other animals coming are sitatunga.
John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "We are introducing the FIRST animal that will be cohabitating in the new hippo exhibit! Drumroll please… European White Storks!! Meet Ned and Miss Kay. Not only are they roommates, but they are siblings. They were both born at Detroit Zoo however, they have been seperated for 25 years! They have been reunited at John Ball Zoo and we couldn’t be happier. Did you know that White Storks are carnivores? Their red, dagger-like bills are used to forage. They will wade in shallow water and tall grasses, stabbing prey with their long bills. Their diet ranges from small mammals and large insects to fish and reptiles. Ned and Miss Kay can eat 60% of their body weight each day! Join us during Hippopalooza to celebrate our new friends and exhibit June 2-4 from 9A-6P! Find out more about the celebration: https://jbzoo.org/events/hippopalooza/"
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Speaking of, on May 13th, the zoo announced the arrival of 1.0 Sitatunga named Chopper, who will inhabit the new hippo habitat alongside the Pygmy Hippos and White Storks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CsMXrXWtFxj/?hl=en
 
One of the pygmy hippos unfortunately killed the male sitatunga during a controlled introduction today as posted on the zoo's Facebook.
John Ball Zoo is deeply saddened to announce our male sitatunga, Chopper, died today, Tuesday, May 16th. Chopper was slated to be part of our new multi-species habitat, featuring pygmy hippos. After successful visual introductions between Chopper and the pygmy hippo throughout the last month, trained animal care staff were attempting a controlled introduction of our pygmy hippo with Chopper inside their habitat when the pygmy hippo suddenly attacked Chopper. Zoo staff separated the animals immediately. Our animal care team provided emergency care, but efforts to resuscitate Chopper were unsuccessful. Consistent with our animal care protocols and procedures, a full review of the incident is underway.

The Zoo has successfully introduced species many times, and our staff was thoroughly prepared for this introduction. This sad incident reminds us that despite enormous cautionary measures taken by Zoo staff over the last several weeks, the behavior of wild animals can be unpredictable. At John Ball Zoo, providing world-class care for our animals is our number one priority, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of Chopper, who was loved by all the staff that cared for him and who are today grieving this loss.
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Joseph G said:
One of the pygmy hippos unfortunately killed the male sitatunga during a controlled introduction today as posted on the zoo's Facebook.
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Very sad news. The mixed species component was one of the biggest draws to this new complex. I imagine the zoo won't attempt to introduce another sitatunga to the exhibit, although from my understanding there are two enclosures that can be combined so maybe they will be given their own space.
 
Joseph G said:
One of the pygmy hippos unfortunately killed the male sitatunga during a controlled introduction today as posted on the zoo's Facebook.
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pachyderm pro said:
Very sad news. The mixed species component was one of the biggest draws to this new complex. I imagine the zoo won't attempt to introduce another sitatunga to the exhibit, although from my understanding there are two enclosures that can be combined so maybe they will be given their own space.
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I want the zoo staff to prevent a situation like this for the safety of the animals more than anything else, but perhaps with the other hippo, if she(?) is more tolerant and gentle, introductions might go well enough for her(?) to share an enclosure with a sitatunga. That would obviously mean acquiring a new sitatunga, too.
 
 
 
 
Other 2023 News:

On May 23rd, it was announced that a (1.0) black howler monkey named Tater was transferred to the Buffalo Zoo in New York.

The Buffalo Zoo

AlmightyKingPrawn said:
They have obtained a pair of black swans. John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "Introducing: Black Swans! (Naming Contest!) We have welcomed two black swans, a male and a female, from Grand Swan Farms in La Porte, IN to the Zoo. You can find them near the entrance of the Zoo in their new habitat! They are the same age however, they are not siblings. But... we need YOUR help! We need input for deciding what our feathered friends' names are. Comment your favorite pair of names below and we will make the decision on Monday based on responses. ⚫️ Swan Jovi & Swania Twain ⚫️ Pearl & Onyx ⚫️ Odile & Siegfried (From Swan Lake)"
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On June 5th, the zoo announced that swans were named Onyx and Pearl.

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On June 17th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Amur tiger named Nika passed away at age 18 due to a decline in health caused by old age and arthritis.

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The state of Michigan approved 14,000,000 dollars for improvements at the zoo. Primate enclosure expansions, a red panda enclosure overhaul, some sort of African exhibit, possibly with African wild dogs or giraffes, ostriches, and antelope, and a flamingo pond are some of the proposals for the usage of the bond. 6,000,000 went to the zoo last year as federal stimulus and will be spent on a new otter enclosure and three additional classrooms.

John Ball Zoo eyes new giraffe, ostrich habitats and more after state awards $14 million
 
There latest Instagram story shows a sandhill crane. Probably just an off-exhibit animal that may have been around longer than realized, but pointing out just in case.
 
0.1 pygmy hippo from the Toronto Zoo named Penelope has arrived! John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "We would like to introduce the newest member in the John Ball Zoo family... ✨Penelope✨ Meet Penelope! Penelope was born at @thetorontozoo. She is a sweet but sassy girl who enjoys doing barrel rolls in the pools. She also likes to charge into the water as fast as she can, creating a big splash! Her favorite snacks are timothy cubes and cucumbers. Penelope tends to sleep most of the day after she eats her morning diet and enjoys a morning swim. She's been sleeping in the water by the glass so if you're looking for a photo of Penelope, she creates a picture perfect opportunity! Penelope is 4 years old, turning 5 in August. She currently weighs 432 pounds. She may be a little hippo but she has a big personality! And for those that haven’t met Jahari, be sure to stop by the hippo habitat to meet them both! Jahari is a wonderful pygmy hippo and loves to show off for the crowd, when he’s not taking a siesta. He is 8 years old weighing over 600 pounds! While Penelope and Jahari will be in the same habitat, they will not be sharing the same space at this time. Pictures 2 and 4 - Keeper Val"
 
Baby bongo! John Ball Zoo on Instagram: "Please help us welcome the newest addition to the John Ball Zoo family! On August 13 around 10:30P, Carrot (female eastern bongo) gave birth to a healthy, 49lb baby boy! Mom and the baby will be spending a few days inside. On some days, Penny (female eastern bongo) will join Carrot and the baby inside to keep them company. Eastern mountain bongos are considered critically endangered. The true wild numbers of eastern mountain bongos are debated, as they are very secretive animals. It is estimated that fewer than 100 individuals are left in the wild. Much of what is known about bongos comes from captive animals and salt licks on the edge of forests. Due to poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal trapping for food and skins, there has been a considerable decline in the bongo population. At John Ball Zoo, we participate in a species survival plan (SSP) for eastern mountain bongos. SSP's are just one of many focused conservation efforts that have put in place over the last few decades to help protect the species. A robust captive population and full protection under the Kenyan Wildlife Service have helped increase bongo numbers in the wild. Captive individuals from America have even been used as part of reintroduction efforts. In January of 2004, the first captive bongos were moved to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Everyone send your warmest wishes to the newest member of JBZ! ✨"
 
Other August 2023 News:

On August 18th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) American Jacob sheep named Lucidum and Truffle from the Hillside Jacob Farm in Michigan which are now on exhibit at the Red's Hobby Farm area.

https://www.facebook.com/JBZoo/post...3TfuxhmCRZsRc7YJPD1pzJYdxQH55yXs66dYoU1pYVeWl

Milwaukee Man said:
Red panda cubs born:

Red panda gives birth to litter at John Ball Zoo, and we have video of the cute babies
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On August 2nd, the zoo announced that the red panda's gender (1.1).

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On August 11th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Virginia opossum named Brambles from the West Michigan Wildlife Center in Michigan in mid-July, and is now an ambassador animal.

https://www.facebook.com/JBZoo/post...fRefpsPmRaGLra2eZmQHjFuc7iKoZxDGUFyNgvdZv5z7l

On August 24th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) Canadian lynx named Becca from ZooAmerica in Pennsylvania, and is now on exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/JBZoo/post...V6fDisRFrCmKQtMHBcHytCT2henMEndheMNoJY3wcpSCl
 
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