(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of two, two-year old female Common Elands, who joined the zoo today from The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. The pair will join Code, the current male Eland, in the Africa section of the zoo directly across from our Masai Giraffe and the Kiannala Feeding Deck.

Common Eland is the second-largest species of antelope after the Giant Eland, with males growing up to six feet tall at the shoulder and weighing anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 pounds — roughly the same weight as our resident giraffes, Tatu and Joshua. Females are slightly smaller, but still impressive animals. These athletic antelope can jump great heights and have sustained running speeds of 20 mph when escaping predators. Native to Africa, Elands are important members of their ecosystem, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their habitat.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums‘ cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan (SSP) is designed “to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population” of certain animals. The SSP pairs members of the same species at accredited zoos based on their genetics. Based on the recommendation of the SSP, LV Zoo experts hope the arrival of two female Elands will lead to calves in the future.

Code has been a popular addition at LV Zoo since his arrival in August of 2022. His impressive size and stature have made him a favorite among guests. With the addition of these two, yet-to-be-named females, visitors will now be able to see the herds of Eland and the Scimitar Horned Oryx — another of the zoo’s African hoof stock — living and interacting together as they would in the wild, providing a more authentic experience.

LV Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests wishing to visit Code and the two new female Elands, as well as the other animals at the zoo, can purchase their tickets online at www.lvzoo.org.

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As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but it has been treasured community landmark for centuries. Located in the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve, the mission of the Lehigh Valley Zoo is to connect its community with nature to empower people to protect wildlife. We have achieved our mission and educated more than five million people. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo hosts year-round, family-friendly events and activities, educational programs, and camps. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.