John Ball Zoo

It's International Snow Leopard Day, and 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.❄️

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. 🧡

Join us at Frederik Meijer Gardens on Oct. 24th ✏ Register at: https://lnkd.in/g8-GfmF5

Conserving Michigan's living fossil 🐟 Sturgeons are an endangered species, notable for their prehistoric appearance and having existed for millions of years. We've teamed up with the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Grand Valley State University to actively monitor these living fossils in the Grand River. Nighttime surveys are conducted to capture sturgeon, collect genetic samples, mark the fish, and release them. With the use of sonar technology, we are able to track their movements to learn where they're reproducing so spawning habitats can be conserved. This season has been successful, with over 20 juvenile sturgeons spotted, indicating effective reproduction. This work wouldn't be possible without the support and grant funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

From🐛 to🦋 This past spring, with the help of KCTC students and maintenance staff, a hoop house frame was installed, and ~500 milkweed plugs were planted in hopes of rearing monarch butterflies. Five female butterflies were collected, and over the course of a week they laid over 300 eggs. After hatching and feasting on milkweed, the caterpillars formed chrysalises. In less than two weeks in the chrysalis, the caterpillars complete their incredible transformation into butterflies. After the butterflies emerge, KCTC students help photograph and measure 10% of the population’s forewings to compare their size and shape with wild monarchs. Once measured, the butterflies are released, and their flight direction is recorded using a method called "disappearance bearing" to assess their migratory orientation. The butterflies are then tagged, swabbed for OE (parasites), and ready to be released on their next adventure.

Last week, John Ball Zoo was “litter”-ally cat crazy as 180 animal care specialists, veterinarians and researchers from the United States and around the world attended the Felid TAG Conference. A felid is a wild cat, and the Felid TAG is a Association of Zoos and Aquariums committee of advisors with expertise in wild cat issues. Experts, including JBZ staff, shared best practices for caring for felids large and small. 🐯

We couldn't do it without YOU We’re thrilled to share that John Ball Zoo has been voted Best Large-Scale Attraction in the 2024 Annual Best of the West Revue Readers Poll! 🎉 A huge thank you to the readers and our community for your support and recognition. Together, we’re making strides in conserving Wildlife and Wild Places.

We have some very exciting and adorable news! Canada lynxes, Becca and Thor, are the proud parents of three new kits after Becca gave birth on May 23. The birth went smoothly, and Becca and her three kits will be behind the scenes as she cares for her offspring over the next several weeks. It is typical for newborn lynxes to not open their eyes until they are about two weeks old, and not become active outside of their den until they are about five weeks old. John Ball Zoo's animal care team is closely monitoring Becca and her kits as she cares for her litter during their first few weeks of life. Animal care supervisor, Jaime, says that Becca has been an extremely attentive and natural mom. Becca is three years old and is a first-time mom, and Thor is 11 years old and the father of another female lynx that was born at the Zoo in 2020. Becca and Thor are a matched breeding pair through the Species Survival Plan Program by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, in which experts collaborate to maximize genetic diversity and manage the demographic distribution and sustainability of species, which aligns with the Zoo’s mission of saving wildlife and wild places. The Canada lynx is a federally threatened species in the U.S. Thor has been at John Ball Zoo since 2018, and he and Becca quickly became comfortable with each other when she joined the Zoo in 2023. Becca’s animal care team has been keeping a close eye on her following the observed breeding in March. As her birth window approached, the team kept up with Becca’s weight changes to ensure she was getting all the support needed to have a healthy pregnancy. On May 23, Becca’s care team noticed she was exhibiting signs of labor, so she was brought inside with access to her den while the Zoo’s veterinary team monitored her progress closely. By midday, Becca was in labor and having contractions, and by the early afternoon she had successfully given birth.

Did you hear? The Bissell Tree House was voted the best wedding venue in Grand Rapids by the Grand Rapids Magazine. We strive to give our guests the best possible experience for their wedding, graduation, or any other special occasion. Thank you to everyone who voted for the Bissell Treehouse! Find out more about the article: https://lnkd.in/df-r4KDe

We're #hiring a new Food Service Manager in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Apply today or share this post with your network.