GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As the John Ball Zoo's season is coming to a close, it's looking back on a successful year.
Throughout 2024, the zoo saw a record-breaking number of guests, with more than 800,000 people visiting.
More than 175,000 people came to the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival throughout its two-month duration, breaking the previous year's attendance record.
Other special events the zoo hosted were the Dino Adventures exhibition and a butterfly encounter experience.
“We’ve had a fantastic 2024 season at John Ball Zoo, and we’re so grateful to every visitor who joined us, made memories and helped support the conservation of wildlife and wild places,” said Andy McIntyre, chief operating officer of John Ball Zoo.
The zoo welcomed new members to its family this season, with penguin hatchlings, lynx kits, snow leopards and an eastern mountain bongo.
To improve wild populations, the zoo released more than 1,400 endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterflies into the wild after captive rearing and breeding of the species.
While the zoo is closed during the winter months, it will still be offering opportunities for Close Encounters. These include a pygmy hippo feeding, a penguin feeding, a penguin meet-and-greet, a sloth encounter and more.
Memberships and gift memberships to the John Ball Zoo are offered year-round.
The zoo said it's looking forward to returning in 2025 with annual favorite events like Party for the Planet and Zoo Goes Boo.
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will return on April 9, 2025.
“As we close our doors for now, our team remains committed to delivering exceptional care for our animals, developing exciting educational programs and continuing our conservation efforts both locally and globally," McIntyre said. "We’re eagerly looking ahead to a remarkable 2025 season."
The zoo's doors will close on Nov. 24, 2024, and will reopen on March 21, 2025.