Grand Rapids is gearing up for a season of animal adventures as the John Ball Zoo reopens its doors on March 22 for the 133rd season, and this year, they're rolling out the red carpet for a bevy of new beasts and immersive experiences, showcasing everything from peccaries to goats, complete with a virtual swing through a gorilla's domain, as reported by WOODTV.
According to WZZM13, the zoo is not just about gawking at animals; it's an emporium of education where families can forge fun-filled memories while learning the ins and outs of conservation, this sentiment is echoed by the CEO of John Ball Zoo, Peter D'Arienzo, who proclaimed, “We hope families can create lasting memories and learn about conservation during their visit and engage with our new Zoo residents and events, there is so much to look forward to this year.” Visitors can expect to encounter new residents including Zuhura, a 10-year-old chimpanzee fresh from the Detroit Zoo and four male Chocoan peccaries from Paraguay's hot plains, while Titan, an Amur tiger, is back in town from the Toledo Zoo to take part in the breeding game.
Zoo-goers looking for an encounter of the digitized kind can dive into 'Wild Explorer,' a virtual reality extravaganza that brings gorillas from the jungle into a simulated reality, right within the zoo's confines for a multi-year run aimed at providing an unparalleled, up-close personal connection with wildlife, as highlighted by FOX17.
With a spate of events on the annual agenda, including the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, Wildlife Exploration Days, RendeZoo, and Dino Adventures, John Ball Zoo is poised to be the locus of both learning and leisure, while opening hours span 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the weekdays and an extended 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. come the weekend, ensuring ample time for all to behold the zoo's wild wonders, and while walk-ups are welcomed, the zoo encourages online reservation of tickets to ensure your spot in the animal kingdom.
