What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 6pm Sunday 9am - 6pm

John Ball Zoo

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan
A non-profit organization dedicated to saving
Wildlife and Wild Places🐾🌳
(22098)

John Ball Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation committed to the advancement of public education on the need for wildlife conservation and preservation. John Ball Zoo has over 2,000 animals including lions, tigers, chimpanzees, and red pandas, indoor and outdoor exhibits, an aquarium, interactive experiences, and so much more.

08/02/2025

Spotted: baby's first check-up 🥹

📸: Zookeeper Amanda

08/01/2025

Surprise! Some tiny new toe beans have entered the chat. 🐾

We’ve been keeping a little secret: snow leopard Yuki welcomed a cub on July 28th. 💙

Both mom and cub are doing well, snuggled up in their cozy den. For now, they’ll remain behind the scenes while they bond and grow stronger, but don’t worry, we’ll be sharing updates (and some serious cuteness) soon.

This birth is a big win for the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP) and an important step in helping protect this vulnerable species.

📸: Zookeeper Valerie

07/29/2025

Training a tiger isn't about control, it's about communication 💭

By training through trust and positive reinforcement (with help from some meatballs and goat’s milk), Mabelle is learning to participate in her own care. This allows Sam and the animal care team to monitor her overall condition, perform wellness exams, and even administer vaccines, all without stress or sedation! 🐯

On International Tiger Day, we celebrate conservation and compassionate care. 🌍

07/28/2025

He’s not cold-blooded about Caribbean beats 🪇

Monster, our Grand Cayman iguana, is ready to soak up live island music from Roots Vibrations at Summer Nights this Thursday. 🦎

Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Intellectual Ninjas.
Visit our website for details and tickets: jbzoo.org/events/summer-nights-july31

07/27/2025

Meet the new girls in town: Daisy & Dinari

Daisy’s our undercover queen with the cutest pink nose. 👑 She’s a little camera shy; spot a phone and she’s off. No paparazzi, please!

Dinari’s our DD: designated digger. She’s got form, flair, and speed that might even give our porcupines a run for their money. 🦔💨

📸: Zoo Educator Enya

07/26/2025

We recently heard from some very special guests who shared their thoughts on giraffes joining John Ball Zoo, and we couldn’t agree more. 🦒

07/25/2025

To close out National Zookeeper Week, we’re highlighting Lauren, and giving a huge thank you to all of our amazing zookeepers! 🐧

Your dedication makes a difference every single day. 💙

07/23/2025

Meet Ian, one of our amazing h**p keepers in Area 2! 🐢 With over 5 years of experience in reptile and amphibian care and research, Ian brings valuable expertise to our team.

His favorite animal? Monster, the Grand Cayman iguana! 🦎 From daily head bobs to a love of grapes, Monster’s bold personality has made him a standout. Over the past year, he and Ian have built a strong bond, with Ian even serving as his personal trainer. Since moving to his new outdoor exhibit near Natural Treasures, Monster has started waking up early to greet guests, a big change from his usual log naps until noon. 😴

Beyond his charm, Monster is a living conservation success story. The Grand Cayman iguana was once nearly extinct, but through decades of work by zoos and conservation partners, Grand Cayman iguanas are thriving again.

Ian wants people to know that caring for reptiles and amphibians takes creativity, problem-solving, and constant learning. Each species is different, and zoos play a vital role in their conservation and education.

07/22/2025

We're proud to be part of the fight to save some of the Great Lakes’ rarest and most endangered butterflies. 🦋 From restoring native habitats to supporting vital research, our team is working alongside conservation partners to protect these delicate pollinators for future generations.🌼 Learn more about how we're making a difference in this important effort: greatlakesnow.org/2025/07/john-ball-zoo-fights-for-great-lakes-rarest-butterflies/

07/21/2025

This National Zookeeper Week, we’re celebrating the incredible dedication, passion, and hard work of our animal care team! 🐾 We’re grateful for all of our amazing keepers, like Hannah, who make John Ball Zoo so special. 🧡

07/18/2025

🦩💗 Meet Andes: the most unexpected rehab story in Grand Rapids.

This 14-year-old Chilean flamingo was living his best poolside life at John Ball Zoo when he developed a curious limp. That’s when experts at John Ball Zoo teamed up with Mary Free Bed Orthotics & Prosthetics + Bionics. Over the next several months, our teams worked together to create a one-of-a-kind solution designed just for Andes. As it turns out, custom orthotics aren’t just for humans.

From joint stabilization to Velcro preferences (he has opinions), it’s been a true collaboration—powered by expertise, compassion, curiosity, and a lot of intentionally selected (mostly pink) materials.

And now? He’s back to fla-mingling in style. Thanks to the specialists at John Ball Zoo and Mary Free Bed for teaming up to help Andes achieve new milestones and major . 💗

You can read more about Andes’s story here: https://bit.ly/4lZilur

07/17/2025

Our team wears their love for animals and nature on their sleeves, literally. 🌿🐍✒️

In honor of National Tattoo Day, we’re celebrating the meaningful ink our staff proudly sports. Each tattoo is a tribute to their love for wildlife, nature, and the incredible creatures that inspire them every day.

Address

1300 Fulton Street West
Grand Rapids, MI
49504

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 6pm
Sunday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+16163364300

Website

https://jbzoo.org/

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