Located at the LV Zoo in Schnecksville, Pa., WLS is the Zoo’s largest annual fundraiser and was featured by USA Today in “Holiday light displays worth traveling for across America.”

In addition to 1.2 million lights – a total more than any other Pennsylvania attraction – WLS features classic holiday scenes, numerous family photo opportunities, multiple fire pits, hot chocolate and so many other holiday treats. There will also be live performances every night featuring popular princesses Anna & Elsa, Belle and Cinderella. Revenue from the event supports animal conservation projects and programs at the LV Zoo.

For the second consecutive year, WLS will require advanced ticket purchases and a timed-ticketing system set for two-hour sessions. This modification significantly improved the guest experience in 2020 by greatly improving traffic flow into the Zoo and positively impacting parking availability.

Ticket prices for WLS 2021 remain the same as last year: $15 for adults, $10 for children (ages 2-11) and $8 for LV Zoo Members, prior to online processing fees. Infants (ages 0-1) are free and there is no fee for parking. VIP Tickets priced at $30 for adults and $25 for children are available in limited quantities and include WLS admission as well as a 2021 Souvenir Mug and unlimited free hot chocolate ($10 value), a Smore’s kit ($4 value), a family photo voucher — for one of six different scenes ($5 value) and a chance to warm up from the cold with access to the Jingle Lodge Lounge (priceless).

A special rate for group outings of 20+ people is available for advanced purchase at $12.50 per ticket with two additional complimentary tickets per every 20 tickets purchased. In addition, a corporate rate is available for the advanced purchase of 100+ anytime tickets at $10 per ticket.

Looking for a unique holiday party for your employees, family members or friends? Cocktail parties for groups up to 50 people in the Jingle Lodge Lounge include food, soft beverages, a cozy fire, animal mingles and a place to warm up during your visit to WLS.

To book a group outing, or purchase a corporate block, or learn more about boking a holiday party, please call the Zoo during normal business hours at (610) 799-4171.

While guests may spot some of the Zoo’s night owls during WLS, most of the animals will be off-exhibit.

Please visit winterlightspectacular.com or follow the Zoo on Facebook for daily WLS updates, promotions, contests, weather cancellations and so much more.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 and Twitter.

Calm Waters Coffee Roasters is based in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Calm Waters provides the Lehigh Valley Zoo with delicious bags of whole bean coffee originating in Marcala, Honduras. Flavor notes of this light roast include mandarin orange, cocoa, and walnut, which are sure to leave you craving more!

On top of its outstanding flavor, this coffee is Bird Friendly® certified – the gold standard of eco-friendly coffee. According to Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, “the Bird Friendly® certification ensures that the coffee originates from farms using a combination of foliage cover, tree height, and biodiversity to provide quality habitat for birds and other wildlife.” This means that with every cup of Bird Friendly® coffee that you brew, you are protecting biodiversity – especially migratory birds – from the threat of deforestation.

All Bird Friendly® certified coffee is 100% organic and 100% shade grown, meaning the coffee beans are grown underneath the forest canopy. This is in opposition to sun grown processes, which are driven by deforestation to plant rows and rows of coffee beans under direct sunlight. While sun grown coffee produces a larger yield, shade grown coffee is richer and more complex in flavor due to the length of time needed for the beans to grow.

It is a part of the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s mission to demonstrate leadership in the conservation community, and our friends at Calm Waters Coffee Roasters are helping us to do just that by brewing a more sustainable world! To purchase a bag of Bird Friendly® coffee, simply visit the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s Nature Store during regular daytime hours (10am-4pm now through October 31st, 10am-3pm beginning November 1st). Or, visit the Nature Store’s Online Gift Shop at ShopLVZoo.com anytime! Additionally, during select dates in October and November, keep an eye out for Bird Friendly® coffee samples and meet some of our knowledgeable Education Specialists to learn about the importance of buying Bird Friendly®.

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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 @LVZOO.

Magdalena, a six-year old who arrived last spring, is Lehigh Valley Zoo’s female Mexican Gray Wolf. Mollete is the father of both Stratus and Garza.

During the past few months, Lehigh Valley Zoo has worked diligently with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) under its Species Survival Program (SSP) for Mexican Gray Wolves to find the best pack members for Magdalena. The Mexican Gray Wolf SSP works in conjunction with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for the conservation of this species. This makes the Lehigh Valley Zoo an important partner in the effort to provide space for Mexican Gray Wolves to increase their numbers in zoos and in their native habitats.

While this process can be quite lengthy, it helps ensure that Magdalena is paired with the best pack-mates genetically and personality-wise. After searching through multiple options, it was determined that Mollete and his two sons would be an ideal recommended match. The Zoo will continue to work with the SSP to be considered as a site for breeding in future years.

Once on site, an introduction process between the pack members was safely conducted behind the scenes to get the new members acquainted with one another. Now that they have passed their introduction process, they can go on exhibit and explore their new habitat! At this time, we request guests remain quiet when approaching the exhibit as our pack members adjust; as silence will best increase the opportunity to see the wolves.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is one of approximately 50 zoos and conservation centers helping to rehabilitate Mexican Gray Wolves. This subspecies was nearly brought to extinction by widespread trapping and poisoning in the early 1900s. After reintroducing Mexican Gray Wolves, there are more than 113 in the wild and approximately 300 in the captive breeding program. By supporting AZA accredited zoos and aquariums, you can help save species like the Mexican Gray Wolf.

To see the newest pack, be sure to visit Lehigh Valley Zoo by purchasing tickets at lvzoo.org/ticketing.

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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 @LVZOO.

Lavender comes to us from our neighbor ZooAmerica and was hailed a training super star by their animal care team. Her current caregivers will be doing training sessions in her home throughout the day to continue working on cooperative husbandry behaviors. This will give her the choice to participate in her own care here at the zoo! In the future guests will get an opportunity to see training at the Zoo once she becomes more adjusted.

If you would like to catch a glimpse of her in her new home (past the otter exhibit), please be sure to keep a close eye out. While she is adjusting to her new home, we’re giving her more opportunities to hide and meet guests by choice. We’re so excited to have Lavender as part of our Lehigh Valley Zoo family and for our guests to see how we build relationships with our animals. 

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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 @LVZOO.

Lehigh Valley Health Network is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LV Zoo

(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo, in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), is hopping with excitement is hopping with excitement to announce that zookeepers recently spotted two little feet emerging from the pouch of one of our kangaroos – indicating the birth of another new joey at LV Zoo. LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LVZoo. 

First-time mother, Sophie, started showing an enlarged pouch and movement indicating to staff another zooborn was present — and a third-generation joey born at LV Zoo. The most recent addition is also the fourth born in the exhibit over the past three summers, joining Hopscotch (2019), Jenga (2020) and Uno (2020). All four were fathered by George, the lone male kangaroo at the zoo. The gender of the newest joey is yet to be discovered.

Since kangaroo pregnancies only last around 30 days, it is difficult to determine exactly when a joey is born. Instead, joeys grow inside the pouch and go through many developmental stages after they are born — more than a human baby does before birth. Researchers are still learning about the various stages of a joey’s development and some Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) are even assisting in this research through voluntary pouch checks with their animals.

When they are first born, newborn joeys are smaller than a cherry. After birth, the mother will lick a pathway up the fur of her pouch for the joey to climb unassisted into the pouch where it stays until it is between two- and four-months old. For this reason, the kangaroos don’t have a birthday but a “pouch day” — the first time a joey makes an appearance outside the pouch and can be seen on exhibit.

Kangaroos are incredible mammals and can have multiple joeys at one time or delay their pregnancies until their environment or conditions become better. While joeys will occasionally leave the pouch to explore, they will immediately dive back into the pouch if they feel scared or sense danger. As joeys grow, it is a common occurrence to see their head and feet hanging outside of the pouch since they are becoming larger over time. The pouch will continue to expand to accommodate their growth. When joeys are between eight and ten months, they are mature enough to leave the pouch for good. During this time, a female kangaroo can produce two different types of milk to feed two separate babies: one that has emerged from the pouch but is still nursing; and another newborn.  

The newest resident still needs a name. In partnership with LVHN, LV Zoo is hosting a naming poll. The zookeepers will narrow their list of possible names down to four finalists. Guests will then decide the final official names by voting for their favorite using tokens. Two lucky winners will receive a Family Four Pack for picking the winning name.

To see our newest joey and to vote on its new name, be sure to visit LV Zoo by purchasing tickets at lvzoo.org/ticketing.

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Lehigh Valley Health Network includes eight hospital campuses, three in Allentown, one in Bethlehem, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton and two in Pottsville, Pa.; Coordinated Health, which includes two hospital campuses, nearly two dozen multispecialty locations including ambulatory surgery centers and orthopedic injury centers in northeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey; 26 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 22 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is the region’s only hospital nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for orthopedics and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top five hospitals for six consecutive years. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting www.LVHN.org/motherhood, or following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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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 @LVZOO.

Click here to watch!

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.

During the colder months of the year, our lemurs and tortoises will also be able to be viewed by guests in the indoor exhibit space. This indoor space will include a separate “suite” which we hope will be occupied by future lemur mom and babies! Our goal is to provide our lemurs, a potential breeding pair named Abby (age 5) and Mico (age 6), with a habitat conducive to breeding where guests will also get a close-up look of our newest additions. This multiple-species exhibit will be built to the standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo’s accrediting body, and will provide a space in which guests may observe Mongoose Lemurs and African Leopard Tortoises living together as they would be in the wild.

Mongoose Lemurs are considered critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. Human activity is negatively impacting lemur populations and their habitat on the island of Madagascar is diminishing at an alarming rate. It is estimated that about 1-2% of Madagascar’s forests are destroyed each year, and currently only about 10% of Madagascar’s forests remain. Slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing land for cattle, and charcoal production are destroying these precious forest ecosystems. By establishing a breeding exhibit, the Zoo will be helping to contribute to the survival of this species into the future.

In addition to habitat destruction, both lemurs and tortoises are poached by people in the wild and sold, in some cases, into the illegal exotic pet trade. The exotic pet trade puts both animals and humans at risk through the spread of zoonotic diseases. The Zoo hopes to provide messaging within the lobby of this new exhibit that highlights all of the challenges facing lemurs and tortoises and educates our guests on how to better support species to ensure their future survival. Along with this educational messaging, the indoor lobby will feature an ornate 10-foot donor wall where we will display the names of all of our generous supporters who helped make Habitat Madagascar possible. Lastly, the indoor lobby will also be accessible for small gatherings or events, which will help generate revenue that will ensure the sustainability of this exhibit well into the future.

Individuals and organizations wishing to contribute to Habitat Madagascar can do so by visiting our website at LVZOO.ORG/MADAGASCAR. All individual donors who contribute at least $500 or corporate sponsors that contribute at least $2,500 will receive a spot on our donor wall in the form of a custom laser-engraved wooden tile to be added to our landform mosaic of mainland Africa and the island of Madagascar.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.

Listed as critically endangered on IUCN lists, Mongoose Lemurs like Abby and Mico are crucial ambassador animals for their species who live in Madagascar. The major threat facing these lemurs is habitat loss as forests are being cut down to clear room for cattle and charcoal production. They are also hunted for human consumption and used in the illegal pet trade. This is why conservation of their species is so important and the Lehigh Valley Zoo is part of AZA’s Species Survival Plan (SSP).

As a breeding pair, there is a possibility we could see baby lemurs in the future! Babies are usually born April-May and pairs will only have one baby per breeding season. Offspring are weaned within 5-6 months. We hope to one day see little lemurs climbing the trees in the exhibit!

Lehigh Valley Zoo is thrilled to welcome our newest residents and continue to save species for a brighter future. Be sure to stop by and say hello to Abby and Mico to learn how you can help conserve and protect the wonderful animals that call the earth home.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.

Like all of the animals at LV Zoo, Murphy was cared for around the clock by a highly trained and dedicated animal care team and a very experienced veterinary staff. As a geriatric giraffe, Murphy had age-related health ailments that the Zoo animal care team was monitoring. He had been under a comprehensive treatment plan that was tailored to incorporate preventative care, which included time during colder months when the giraffe barn was kept closed in order to maintain the optimal temperature for Murphy’s health. His preventative care expanded more recently to include both voluntary bloodwork and hoof X-rays. Despite all of this, he had a limited response to ongoing treatment efforts and the team made the difficult but humane decision to euthanize him early this morning.

Murphy arrived at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in 2017 and served as an ambassador for his species by educating others about the importance of conservation and preservation of Masai Giraffe. As part of the Species Survival Program (SSP) under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Murphy was a crucial contributor to helping not only add to the giraffe population, but by teaching younger giraffes some of the behaviors that are crucial to being an adult giraffe.

The gentle giant loved giraffe feedings, training sessions with his keepers, and was a wonderful mentor to the Zoo’s younger Masai Giraffe, Tatu. Zoo staff will be closely monitoring Tatu and his behaviors through this transition. For this reason, there may be times Tatu is off exhibit as he adjusts to the change within his herd. As the staff heals, the Zoo appreciate everyone’s understanding during this time and asks for you to please share any wonderful memories you have with Murphy on social media.

The LV Zoo closed early at noon on Monday, but will return to normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily beginning Tuesday, May 4.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.