Giant butterfly and bee robots coming to John Ball Zoo

Giant butterfly and bee robots coming to John Ball Zoo



Some of nature’s smallest creatures will be larger-than-life at the John Ball Zoo starting Monday.

The Power of Pollinators opens July 14 and runs through Nov. 23. The exhibit includes more than 20 animatronic pollinators: giant robot replicas of bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The animatronics will move and make noise.
John Ball Zoo eyes site in Walker for aquariumThe Power of Pollinators at John Ball Zoo includes more than 20 animatronic pollinators. (Courtesy John Ball Zoo)The Power of Pollinators at John Ball Zoo includes more than 20 animatronic pollinators. (Courtesy John Ball Zoo)The Power of Pollinators at John Ball Zoo includes more than 20 animatronic pollinators. (Courtesy John Ball Zoo)

There will also be two statues that zoogoers will be able to climb on, and photo opportunities.

“John Ball Zoo is excited to bring these gigantic pollinators to the Zoo for the first time, so our guests can learn about the important role of these species in our ecosystems,” Darci Mitchell, promotions and events manager at John Ball Zoo, said in a release. “We hope guests take away a sense of responsibility when it comes to the conservation of these important species and become even more engaged in the conservation work we do every day at the Zoo.”The Power of Pollinators at John Ball Zoo includes more than 20 animatronic pollinators. (Courtesy John Ball Zoo)
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Through the exhibit, guests will learn about local species like the Poweshiek skipperling butterfly, which is part of the zoo’s conservation program as it helps to restore the species’ local habitat.

The exhibit is included in a daily zoo admission ticket.