John Ball Zoo

We're thrilled to share this special message from U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten, Grand Rapids' own, congratulating Phil on being named World’s Most Popular Penguin! Her kind words and recognition mean the world—not just to us, but to everyone who’s supported Phil on this amazing journey. 🧡

We had the incredible honor of welcoming Mayor David LaGrand to the Zoo to officially proclaim April 23rd, 2025, as Phil, The World's Most Popular Penguin, Day—a heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary penguin who has waddled his way into the hearts of people around the world. 🧡 Today, we celebrate his remarkable achievements, the joy he brings to so many fans, and his role as a proud ambassador for both wildlife and the Grand Rapids community. 🐧

Phil is the Peng-WIN Champion! 🐧🏆 We're beyond thrilled to announce that our very own Phil won 1st place and the title of World's Most Popular Penguin in Penguins International's 'March of the Penguin Madness.' The first-ever U.S.-based penguin to claim the title! 🎉 Thank you for voting, cheering, and celebrating penguins right alongside us. 🐧 Your enthusiasm fuels conservation, awareness, and our passion to keep doing what we love. 🧡 Here’s to Phil and to every penguin who flapped their way into hearts this year! 🎉

Join us at the wildest party in town! 🦁 🥂 🎶

Our very own Phil has made it to the FINALS of Penguins International’s March of the Penguin Madness—but the competition isn’t over yet! We need your help to get him 1st place and the title of Peng-win Champion. 👑 Voting is open on the Penguins International website (linked below)! You can also vote on their Facebook page and in their Instagram stories. 🐧 🧡 Web: https://lnkd.in/gzRMA5_A FB: facebook.com/PenguinsIntl IG: https://lnkd.in/gStxsNFH

If you are thinking about getting a pet, we want you to ’Pet Responsibly’ and make the best choices for your family, wildlife, and the planet. While some exotic animals may be suitable pets, others are better suited to staying in the wild. Before getting an exotic pet, check out WWF's Responsible Pet Guide: https://wwf.to/4cmn99H.

Phil is in the Semi-Finals of March of the Penguin Madness! 🎉 He's now up against Squid... yes, we said Squid 🦑, from Birdworld Surrey. Voting is open on the Penguins International website (linked below)! You can also vote on their Facebook page and in their Instagram stories. 🐧 🧡 Web: https://lnkd.in/gzRMA5_A FB: facebook.com/PenguinsIntl IG: https://lnkd.in/gStxsNFH 📸: Zookeeper Lauren

The March of the Penguin Madness is heating up, and 12 penguin contenders are in the spotlight! But this competition isn’t just for fun—these penguins also represent real conservation stories from around the world. As they waddle their way through the brackets, their wild counterparts face challenges like climate change and habitat loss. This is a chance to celebrate them, learn about their struggles, and support the efforts to protect them! Here are a few stories in the news: 🐧 Duckie from Pueblo Zoo https://lnkd.in/ghJKYR8H 🐧 Squid from Birdworld https://lnkd.in/gjz2zjeV 🐧 Pepe from Brookfield Zoo Chicago https://lnkd.in/gaefPUdg 🐧 Atticus from Detroit Zoological Society https://lnkd.in/gCvtH5s2 🐧 Nio from Indianapolis Zoo https://lnkd.in/gJtrCs7W 🐧 Phil from John Ball Zoo https://lnkd.in/g_nCx_DJ 🐧 Zilla from Turtle Back Zoo https://lnkd.in/gQctUdEr 🐧 Mo from National Aquarium of New Zealand https://lnkd.in/g2FR_N6Q 🐧 Floppy from Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium https://lnkd.in/gZX5G9hc 🐧 Ziggy from Seneca Park Zoo Society https://lnkd.in/gb-5wA5Z 🐧 Marley from Moody Gardens® https://lnkd.in/gTX3B-nJ 🐧 Squeegee from Fort Worth Zoo https://lnkd.in/gt2veWW8 Who’s your favorite to take the title? Drop your pick in the comments! ⬇️🐧 Remember, voting on the website closes at 6 AM UTC! https://lnkd.in/esad3Qzy Voting on Facebook and Instagram polls also closes tomorrow 4PM UTC so get those votes in. #MarchOfThePenguinMadness #PenguinsInTheNews #Conservation #WildlifeAwareness #VoteForPenguins #MOTPM25

Don’t blink or you might miss the mink 👀 Say hello to Artemis, a female albino mink and the newest addition to John Ball Zoo. She was found near Thornapple River, struggling to see and hear, with an injury on her back. Thankfully, a kind bystander and the incredible team at West Michigan Wildlife Center stepped in to help. Due to the vision and hearing challenges that often come with albinism, Artemis needed a safe, permanent home where she could thrive—and that’s where we came in. Now a part of our animal ambassador* program, Artemis has the opportunity to further educate the public about the unique traits of albinism and be an ambassador for her species. 🤍 *Currently, there is no set schedule of when guests can see Artemis. Stay tuned for further updates.

🚨Vote for Phil!🚨 Phil is in the 2nd Round of March of the Penguin Madness! 🎉 He's now up against Bruce Banner (aka the Hulk 😱) from Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in the second round of the tournament. Phil might have been the tiniest chick to hatch last year, and while he's a lover, not a fighter, he’s not shy about ruffling the feathers of the big green guy, Bruce. 💚 Phil may not need gamma radiation (😉) to peng-win, but he does need your help! Vote now on Penguins International's Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as on their website below. https://lnkd.in/gzRMA5_A FB: facebook.com/PenguinsIntl IG: https://lnkd.in/gStxsNFH