Opportunities for close encounters with animals available year-round at John Ball Zoo.
Looking for a truly unique gift that also helps support the preservation of wildlife and wild places? Book a Close Encounter Experience at John Ball Zoo! Guests can get a VIP pass to the animal kingdom year-round with one of John Ball Zoo's Close Encounters experiences.
As the Zoo's off-season approaches, it's a great time to continue experiencing the wonder of wildlife by booking a behind-the-scenes adventure to feed a pygmy hippo, meet penguins or watch a red panda training session.
"Close Encounters are amazing opportunities to learn more about the care John Ball Zoo provides the animals here, and these experiences can make great gifts for animal lovers," said Nick Milbratz, Education Coordinator at John Ball Zoo. "When guests sign up for close encounters, they are directly supporting our mission of preserving wildlife and wild places, while getting a fun, one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to delight."
John Ball Zoo offers several different options for Close Encounters, including a new pygmy hippo feeding, where guests tour the hippo habitat and learn about the Zoo's efforts to save this animal from extinction. This encounter also allows guests to meet one of the pygmy hippos and feed them a treat.
Guests can also meet Cusco or Durango, John Ball Zoo's white-nosed coatis, observe a training session and learn from the dedicated team that cares for these animals. A Close Encounter with Wyatt, a red panda, also offers guests the opportunity to participate in a training session. This training helps the animals get familiar with certain behaviors so they can more comfortably receive care from the Zoo's vet team or visiting specialists.
There are several other options for Close Encounters, including penguin feedings, a penguin meet-and-greet, a look at the sloth and its habitat and more.
More information, including how to sign up, can be found on the Zoo's website.
Courtesy of West Michigan Woman.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Suydam.
