The prime directive of Lehigh Valley Zoo’s mission is conservation. We are dedicated to saving species from extinction and preserving the natural world around us. Read on to see the initiatives we support and to learn how YOU can get involved!

Purposeful Pet Ownership

People love animals which is why so many of us have pets at home! Most pet owners mean well and would never intentionally do anything to harm an animal but did you know by purchasing and owning an exotic animal, you could be supporting the illegal exotic pet trade? What we see is the sweet face of a fennec fox or the vibrant colors of a Macaw but what we don’t see is how these animals were first illegally poached from the wild. One more exotic pet in captivity is one less animal in the wild which is resulting in species population numbers dropping drastically. The exotic pet trade is putting animals at risk and endangering entire species.

In addition to putting species populations at risk, wildlife trade is also putting human health at risk. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) states: “Zoonotic diseases are a threat to human and animal health worldwide, as more than two-thirds of all emerging infectious diseases of humans are zoonotic.” Through AZA’s new initiative called “Reduce the Risk”, however, AZA is aiming to reduce zoonotic disease threats by combating wildlife trade that poses risk to human and animal health.

What can we do?

• Just say NO to exotic animals as pets. Besides not wanting to support the illegal exotic pet trade, the typical household cannot provide the standard of care and stimulation that an exotic animal needs. It can also be a challenge to find adequate veterinary care for exotic animals as not every vet works with exotics. Additionally, exotic animals can be aggressive, hard to train, and rarely make good pets.
• Don’t take animals from the wild. Even the smallest critters like salamanders and box turtles play a critical role within their ecosystem and remember, one more exotic pet in captivity is one less animal in the wild. Together, let’s make PACTS to keep wild animals wild!
• Don’t release animals into the wild. Just like we don’t want to take animals from the wild, it’s equally important to not release pets into the wild. Animals kept as pets become dependent on humans to care for them so they may not know how to fend for themselves in the wild. If you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer care for your pet, you should call your local animal shelter or wildlife center for help. And did you know? Releasing animals non-native animals into the wild can create an even bigger problem – they can turn into invasive species. This is the case with the Argentine Black and White Tegu which is native to South American but is now considered an invasive species in the southern United States. Non-native animals can wreak havoc on an entire ecosystem and native species will have to compete for resources. This can essentially cause ecosystems to collapse and species population numbers to decrease.
• Support your AZA and your local AZA accredited zoo in their efforts to Reduce the Risk! To get involved, visit: www.aza.org/reduce-the-risk

AZA Institutions

You may already know that the Lehigh Valley Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) but what does that actually mean? In short, it means that we are held to a standard of excellence in all that we do.

• We are leaders in animal care and animal welfare. AZA.org says it best: “AZA is the independent accrediting organization for the best zoos and the best aquariums in America and the world, assuring the public that when they visit an AZA-accredited facility, it meets the highest standards for animal care and welfare. Less than 10 percent of the 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act meet the more comprehensive standards of AZA accreditation. The highly trained professionals at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide excellent care for more than 800,000 animals, making them the leading experts in animal care and welfare.”
• We are leaders in conservation. As an AZA institution, conservation is at the heart of our mission and we’re working hard to save species from extinction. How do we do this?
  • One way is through our involvement with AZA’s Species Survival Plan Program (SSP). AZA defines their SSP program as a cooperatively managed program to oversee the population management of select species within AZA member institutions (i.e., AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Conservation Partners, and Certified Related Facilities (CRFs) and to enhance conservation of this species in the wild. At the Lehigh Valley Zoo, we are part of 22 different SSP programs, including the African Black Footed Penguin SSP and the Masai Giraffe SSP.
  • We’re also proud of our involvement with AZA’s Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program. SAFE is a framework that: protects threatened animals, builds recovery plans, measures and reports conservation progress, and more!
• We are leaders in Conservation Education. AZA institutions strive to bridge the gap between people and the natural world and the Lehigh Valley Zoo is no exception. It’s written in our mission to create a safe, engaging, and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages. Every year, we provide educational experience for thousands of guests through our variety of conservation education programs.

What can we do?

• Support AZA institutions whenever possible. By visiting the Lehigh Valley Zoo and other AZA member institutions, you’re supporting the highest level of animal care and welfare, along with the promotion of conservation across the world.
• Make a donation. By making a donation to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or to your local AZA Zoo, you’re helping us to continue the mission of saving species from extinction.
• Get involved! To learn more about SSP and SAFE programs and to get involved visit:
  • Species Survival Plan Programs
  • Saving Animals From Exctinction

Conservation of the Natural World

Saving species from extinction and conserving the natural world and the places that wild animals call home go hand in hand. Did you know? Around half of the world’s original forests have disappeared, and they are still being removed at a rate 10x higher than any possible level of regrowth, according to the World Wildlife Fund. From clearing forests for agriculture to pollution to climate change, today’s natural world is in a lot of trouble. But if we work together, we can make lasting imPACTS.

What can we do?

• Support sustainable agriculture practices. By purchasing products that are certified by organizations such as Bird Friendly Coffee, you are helping in the conservation of forests around the world.
  • For more information on certified products or to find a store near you, visit:
    • Bird Friendly Coffee
• Build your own habitat! Building a space in your own backyard can help the wildlife near you flourish. Some things that you’ll want to include in your habitat are: plenty of native plants, a water source like a bird bath, shelter or hiding places like a nest box or brush pile, and food such as a bird feeder or a fruit producing plant.
• Protect our oceans! It’s estimated that 50-80% of all life is found in our oceans so it’s crucial that we make strides to protect these crucial habitats. One simple thing that we can do is use less water so that less wastewater is dumped into our oceans.

Together With Nature

Our natural world is important for more reasons than one. Not only does it provide us with the resources that we need to live, but it also allows us endless recreational opportunities. Spending time with nature is good for us! In fact, research shows that it reduces stress, fear, and anger and increases positive feelings. It’s important to remember that the environment doesn’t belong to humans though, it is shared with all other life on earth. And even the smallest and most pesky animals play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems. We must learn to coexist with nature so that it can be preserved for animals and people alike for generations to come.

What can we do?

• Leave no Trace! Once you leave nature, no one should know that you’ve been there. This means bringing out anything that you’ve brought in. Additionally, leaving the environment unaltered is equally important.
  • To learn more about the Leave no Trace initiative and their 7 principles for minimum impact practices, visit: www.lnt.org.
• Don’t litter! Not only is litter unsightly but it can pose big problems for wildlife. Make sure all litter is disposed of in proper trash receptacles.
• Try living in harmony with the wildlife around you. Do you have a groundhog living under your shed or a skunk under your porch? Some wild animals are well adapted to living near humans and find safe places to raise their young near our homes. Some well-meaning people will trap and relocate these pesky animals but the truth is, trapping rarely ends well for wildlife and is not a long term solution. If wild animals are not causing damage or posing danger, the best solution is to coexist!
• Help injured wildlife! The best thing to do when you’ve come across a wild animal that is in need of help is to contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. Never handle or take home a wild animal before consulting a professional.

Sustainable Living

You may hear the term sustainable living a lot these days but what does it actually mean? Simply put, sustainable living is the practice of limiting or trying to reduce your demand for natural resources (water, plants, animals, fossil fuels, ect.) and additionally, opting for renewable resources and cutting down on waste wherever possible. To help us understand why sustainable living is more important now than ever, let’s look at some statistics provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other sources:

• The average U.S. citizen creates 4.9 pounds of waste per day. That’s almost 1,800 pounds of waste created per year, per person!
• In 2018, plastics generation was 35.7 million tons in the United States, which was 12.2 percent of municipal solid waste generation.
• According to IUCN.org, At least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year.
• Humans are consuming natural resources at a ratio of 1.5:1, meaning that the regenerative capacity of the Earth is being outstripped by our activities, states worldwildlife.org.
• One study referenced by the University of Michigan estimates it would take 5 Earths to support the human population if everyone’s consumption patterns were similar to the average American.

So what does this mean? It means not only are we taking an unhealthy amount of natural resources, but also we’re pumping an unhealthy amount of waste back into the environment. With trash in our oceans and new animals becoming endangered everyday, the environment and animals are being affected the most. Eventually, however, humans will come face to face with the consequences unless we start to choose sustainable living now!

What can we do?

• Cut down on waste and single-use plastics! Some simple things that we can do everyday are choosing reusable shopping bags, straws, and water bottles instead of plastic ones, buying second-hand clothes and electronics, and buying essential items in bulk.
  • To learn more about electronics recycling, visit ICRFQ’s electronics recycling guide.
• Take the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s #KNOWPLASTICS Pledge! By joining our movement, you can save aquatic and land animals alike as we offer smart and innovative ways to decrease plastic consumption and save the oceans. To learn more about our #KNOWPLASTICS initiative or to take the pledge, visit: lvzoo.org/knowplastics
• Start composting. Not only is composting good for your garden but it’s also good for the environment! By composting you’re: recycling organic resources and conserving landfill space, reducing the need for garden fertilizers, and encouraging healthy garden root structures, among much more.
  • To learn more about composting or how to start composting, visit EPA Composting At Home.
• Choose sustainable eating. One easy way to do this (and to help our penguin friends) is to use the Seafood Watch website by Monterey Bay Aquarium to ensure the seafood you’re purchasing is sustainably sourced.
  • To learn more about the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, visit SeafoodWatch.org.

References

Aaron McNevin and Claude E. Boyd. “Natural Resources and Aquaculture.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, 25 Apr. 2017, www.worldwildlife.org/blogs/sustainability-works/posts/natural-resources-and-aquaculture.

“About Us.” About Us | Association of Zoos & Aquariums, www.aza.org/about-us.

“Guide to the Facts and Figures Report about Materials, Waste and Recycling.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Oct. 2020, www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/guide-facts-and-figures-report-about-materials.

“How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing?” Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing.

“Impact of Habitat Loss on Species.” WWF, wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/.

“Marine Plastics.” IUCN, 5 Dec. 2018, www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/marine-plastics.

Reduce the Risk, www.aza.org/reduce-the-risk?locale=en.

“Species Survival Plan Programs.” AZA, www.aza.org/species-survival-plan-programs?locale=en.

“U.S. Environmental Footprint Factsheet.” U.S. Environmental Footprint Factsheet | Center for Sustainable Systems, css.umich.edu/factsheets/us-environmental-footprint-factsheet.

“World Oceans Day 2013: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.” World Oceans Day 2013 | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/prizes-and-celebrations/celebrations/international-days/world-oceans-day-2013.