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Build-A-Zoo Barn Grand Opening on Friday 7/26!

Check out the grand opening of Lehigh Valley Zoo’s brand new Build-A-Zoo Barn on Friday, July 26!

Our Build-A-Zoo Barn will have a grand opening this Friday, July 26 and will feature $1 hotdogs from 11AM-1PM*!

The Build-A-Zoo Barn will offer guests the new and unique experience of creating their own plush versions of Animal Ambassadors that they can imbue with conservation focused messages. Stop by during the grand opening to be among the first to take home a one-of-a-kind keepsake and join the conservation conversation!

*While supplies last.

Hanging out with a Sloth – WNEP 16

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
March 31, 2019
Wilkes-Barre, PA – Check out the news feature about our Education Department on WNEP.com!

Our education department brought the two-toed sloth, Bean, and his friends to the Art Party Place in Wilkes-Barre last Sunday. Visitors got to meet Bean and his friends, learn a little about each of the animals, and then had the opportunity to create their own paintings!

Lehigh Valley Zoo closed this Wed 01/30 and Thu 01/31

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
January 16, 2019
Schnecksville, PA – Due to inclement weather affecting the Lehigh Valley area and concern for the safety of our guests and our animals, Lehigh Valley Zoo will be closed this Wednesday (January 30) and Thursday (January 31).

Visit Weather.gov to stay current on this week’s developing forecast.

Zoo Giraffe Given Exceptional Care at Lehigh Valley Zoo

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
January 16, 2019
Schnecksville, PA – Lehigh Valley Zoo has a few animals who are older and receive advanced care.   The Dromedary Camels and the Palomino Horses are among our oldest animals.  Just last year, Lexy, our Canada Lynx, passed away at nearly 19 years of age, the oldest living lynx on record with the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) lynx population.  To address the additional needs of its aging animals, the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s animal care team regularly examines the older animals and makes adjustments to their daily living to accommodate their needs as they age.

Murphy, our Masai Giraffe, is one of the animals to which we pay particular attention.  Murphy, at age 18, and despite his youthful and vibrant personality, is considered a more senior Giraffe amongst the Masai breed.  This past weekend Murphy was a bit lethargic and this gave us some concern.  Due to Murphy’s age, our zoo team is taking extra precautions.    Murphy is being cared for around the clock by our highly trained animal care team and our very experienced veterinary staff to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.  Also, our team is in touch with additional Masai Giraffe experts across the country so that no stone is unturned in our care for Murphy as he experiences this change in his health status.

In an attempt to create an optimal temperature for Murphy we are temporarily halting visitors viewing our giraffe in the barn vestibule.  Just as a human will seek a quiet, warm bedroom and no interruptions when sick, we want to give the same quiet, warm environment to Murphy.  Opening and closing the barn door for visitors causes variations in temperature.

“Murphy is such an amazing giraffe, as many of you are affectionately aware,” said CEO and President Melissa Borland.  “Any variation of health or behavior demonstrated by any of our animals puts the staff in a heightened-care plan process, which they are doing a great job implementing.  I hope you will join us in putting him in your thoughts as we work on improving Murphy’s health.”

If you would like to send Murphy a “get well soon” wish, please post your favorite picture of Murphy on our Facebook comments and enter your wishes in the comment section.  We will keep everyone apprised of Murphy’s health.

About the Lehigh Valley Zoo

As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s history spans over a century. Founded in 1906 by General Harry C. Trexler, a local industrialist, the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve has educated and entertained 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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.

Murphy, the Masai Giraffe, Celebrates His 18th Birthday!

Lehigh Valley Zoo
December 17, 2018
Schnecksville, PA – On Monday, December 17th Murphy, the Masai Giraffe, celebrated his 18th birthday at the Lehigh Valley Zoo with adoring guests, cake, and his “little” buddy Tatu!

Guests signed a large birthday card for Murphy which expressed love for the gentle giant and his prominent presence at the zoo. As a special treat, Murphy received an enrichment cake made of leaf eater biscuits, peanut butter, honey, strawberries, and celery topped with 18 carrots to represent candles. He even shared with Tatu!

As part of the Species Survival Plan, Murphy and Tatu are ambassadors for their species to raise awareness about the declining populations of giraffes in the wild and the dangers of extinction. Currently, there are only about 32,000 Masai Giraffes in the wild.

Both a member of the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo is focused on the importance of conserving species and educating guests on pro-environmental behaviors. During the winter, the Lehigh Valley Zoo offers a Wintertime Animal Encounter Trail in the RAD Center, Nature Store, Zoomagination Wing, and Giraffe Vestibule where guests can learn about unique species and how to conserve for a greener future. Be sure to visit the Lehigh Valley soon and learn how you can help save species from extinction!

The Lehigh Valley Zoo, located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078, is open daily from 10:00AM to 3:00 PM. For more information on event schedules visit lvzoo.org or the Zoo’s Facebook page.

As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s history spans over a century. 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. Its mission is to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guest of all ages.

Top 10 Must-Sees for Winter Light Spectacular!

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Wish you could take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and spend a nice night out with the family? Winter Light Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo (sponsored by Christmas Décor) is your holiday paradise! Tis the season of giving so you can feel merry and bright that your tickets benefit all of our beautiful animals and conservation programs right here in the Lehigh Valley.

Here are the top 10 must-sees at Winter Light Spectacular!

#1 – Lights, lights, and more lights!

Featuring over 1 million lights, you are sure to be dazzled by our largest fundraiser of the year for animal conservation. Light tunnels, signature scenes, and Who-Ville are just a few of the many beautiful displays around the zoo. New scenes are sure to enchant returning guests and spark joy in those visiting for the first time.

#2 – A stage built for a princess (or prince)!

Our princess stage will star Belle and Elsa who happily sing songs with everyone and encourage them to shine as their own inner princess or prince. Elsa and Belle will rotate nights of Winter Light Spectacular so check out our website and see who is performing!

#3 – Walking in a winter wonderland!

We have life-sized snow globes that offer the perfect photo opportunity to get that one of a kind photo. Looking for that perfect Christmas card opportunity? We’ve made it easy!

#4 – Did somebody say reindeer?

Santa’s reindeer will be stopping by the Lehigh Valley Zoo to keep an eye who’s naughty or nice! Don’t miss out on this seasonal opportunity as the reindeer will return to the North Pole after Winter Light Spectacular.

#5 – Santa! I know him!

Santa Clause will descend upon Winter Light Spectacular on November 16th for pictures every night of Winter Light Spectacular along with Dan’s Camera, the leading Santa photo provider!  Santa will be inside the zoo’s main office building as we transform our bison room into Santa’s village.

#6 – Want to sweeten the night?

Our hot coco and s’mores are sure to keep you toasty and warm this holiday season! Visit the Bison Prairie Grill to purchase this sweet deal as well other food varieties we have to offer. After a quick snack break, warm up by fire pits and enjoy the company of the ones you love.

#7 – So many friends to meet!

The Grinch, Woody, Buzz, Olaf, Minions and friends will be making a special appearance around the zoo with 3 new characters to see. With so many photo opportunities and friends to meet, it’s a sight you don’t want to miss!

#8 – Now that’s music to our ears!

Music during the holiday season is always a must have! Timed perfectly to our light displays, you can enjoy the magical experience of our Winter Light Spectacular to your favorite holiday tunes.

#9 – Crafts, Conservation, and Causes!

What better way to give back to conservation than making fun crafts for the holiday season?! Located in the General Store, we have DIY ornaments, holiday scratch ornaments, and make your own penguin bracelet. A portion of all penguin bracelet proceeds will be donated to SANCCOB, an organization in South Africa dedicated to African Penguin conservation and rehabilitation. The season of giving never felt so good!

#10 – Check out our website!

Want to skip the lines at the front the gate? Visit our website and purchase your tickets in advance for fast pass access! Plus, we have the answers to your Winter Light Spectacular questions: from pricing, to parking, to weather updates.

   Click here for more info!   

PPL Electric branches out in partnership to help feed giraffes at LVZoo

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Lehigh Valley Zoo
July 12, 2018

Trimming for Two

PPL Electric Utilities branches out in its partnership to
help feed giraffes at the Lehigh Valley Zoo

Schnecksville, PA – PPL Electric Utilities is doubling down on its commitment to provide browse to the Lehigh Valley Zoo now that it has doubled its Masai giraffe population.

PPL last year started providing browse to the zoo that came from its tree trimming and clearing operations along power lines. At that time, the zoo had just one giraffe — Murphy. In early December, the zoo acquired a second giraffe, Tatu.

PPL Electric UtilitiesUnder a partnership between the utility and the zoo, Asplundh Inc., one of PPL’s tree contractors, is making deliveries of cut branches, also called browse, to feed Murphy and Tatu.

The zoo appreciates the donations.  Masai giraffe can weigh over 2,500 pounds and eat 16-20 hours a day and, since browse is one of their favorite foods, the contribution is certainly welcome.

Among all their  nutritional choices, giraffes are particularly fond of his browse. They receive a good portion of their water intake through the browse and lettuce that they eat and it is also an important enrichment. Animal Care staff will hang branches high up in the giraffe barn and entwine them through special feeders that keep the giraffes interested, active, and engaged.

There are also health benefits to eating browse. Giraffes, like cows, sheep, and goats, are ruminants. “Eating browse encourages chewing and rumination,” explains veterinarian Dr. Scott Rosenbloom. “Having such a great supply of browse readily available helps keeps his complex digestive system running smoothly and efficiently.”

PPL trims and removes trees along thousands of miles of its power lines each year to help maintain reliable service. Since trees are the top cause of storm-related power outages, the work is extremely important. Instead of ending up in a chipper, some of the smaller branches taken down in the Lehigh Valley area will provide nutrition for Murphy and Tatu.

“We love being part of this,” said Aaron Dom, manager of PPL’s vegetation management program. “When the giraffe population went from one to two, we were more than happy to provide the extra browse. It’s a great and offbeat way to show how much we care about the communities we serve.”

The vast majority of the kinds of trees trimmed by Asplundh for PPL can be used to feed the giraffe.

Critically Endangered Antelope Born at Lehigh Valley Zoo

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April 28, 2017 | Schnecksville, Pa – Lehigh Valley Zoo is happy to announce the birth of another scimitar-horned oryx, a critically endangered species of antelope still listed as extinct in the wild.  The mother and male calf are doing well and have spent some time off-exhibit to bond with each other and to allow for monitoring by our Animal Care and Veterinary team. The as-of-yet unnamed youngster was born on April 9th. The calf will be introduced to Zoo Visitors this Sunday April 29th as he and mom will go on exhibit together for the first time.

“This calf is the seventh born at the Lehigh Valley Zoo and is the fourth calf born to her mother.” Said Zoo CEO/President, Melissa Borland “Until recently, scimitar-horned oryx were considered extinct in the wild. We are honored to be part of a program that is re-populating this species.”

Every birth is crucial to ensuring the survival of the species. Lehigh Valley Zoo participates in the scimitar-horned oryx Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, a cooperative effort among Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facilities.  The scimitar-horned oryx SSP is part of the ongoing reintroduction plans to return these majestic antelope to their historic range.  Once widespread in northern Africa, the scimitar-horned oryx was hunted to near extinction for its trophy horns, tough hide, and meat. Lehigh Valley Zoo joined with 52 other zoos to take part in a project organized by the Species Survival Plan, nurturing births from the herds residing in the zoos. In March of 2016, the first 25 oryx were released to the Ouadi-Achim Faunal Reserve. Following additional releases, there are now 90 oryx, born in zoos and conservation centers under this project, in Chad, Africa. The oryx released back into the wild are monitored by the team in Chad.  The project reports the oryx are thriving in the wild and even had a few wild births.

On the heels of the arrival of the new calf, the Lehigh Valley Zoo will soon be sending a female oryx, born to parents at the Zoo in 2016, to another conservation breeding center as part of the recommendations by the scimitar-horned oryx Species Survival Plan. This young female will join a breeding herd of scimitar-horned oryx to be a crucial part of the ongoing efforts to protect the species from extinction. The Lehigh Valley Zoo participates in over 20 SSP programs.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078.

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About the Lehigh Valley Zoo:
As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s history spans over a century. Founded in 1906 by General Harry C. Trexler, a local industrialist, the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve has educated and entertained 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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.

Lehigh Valley Zoo New Home for 8 Month-Old Snowy Owl

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April 17, 2018 – Schnecksville, PA: The Lehigh Valley Zoo announced today that an 8-month-old Snowy Owl is on exhibit at the zoo. The owlet making Lehigh Valley its home was part of a clutch of 4 chicks hatched by parents at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. This little guy is too young to breed and needs somewhere to grow and mature. As part of its commitment to protecting endangered species, the Lehigh Valley Zoo provides a home to animals retired from breeding, or not yet recommended for breeding. While residing at the zoo, the owlet will be monitored to ensure he receives the proper diet and care needed to mature into a healthy adult owl.

Since he is still young, the owlet has black barring across his chest, back and wings. As he ages, the barring will fade to black flecks on primarily white plumage. Females retain the black barring throughout their lives. The owlet enjoys tubs with shaved ice on warm days so watch for him splashing about as the weather heats up this summer.

Sadly, the little owlet does not have a name. Our Zoo Keepers would like the members and guests of the zoo to participate in naming him. There is a box in the front office of the zoo where we are collecting name suggestions. Please stop by in April and May to see the owlet and to submit your entry for the Owlet Naming Contest. The contest winner will get a 2018 zoo prize pack and tickets!

Zoo’s Mission to Protect Endangered Animals
Lehigh Valley Zoo’s mission is to help save species from extinction through animal conservation leadership and to provide guidance in conservation science by celebrating, studying, and protecting wildlife and their habitats. The Snowy Owl is endangered because these owls have a hard time finding enough food. Poachers also kill them to make money from the lovely feathers of this type of owl. Trapping them has resulted in their numbers taking quite a dip in the past couple of decades. “Offering space and expert animal care to this young owlet is another way our zoo participates in the effort to protect this endangered species.” said CEO/President Melissa Borland.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078.

About the Lehigh Valley Zoo:
As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s history spans over a century. Founded in 1906 by General Harry C. Trexler, a local industrialist, the Lehigh Valley’s Trexler Game Preserve has educated and entertained 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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.