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.

###

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.

###

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.

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

(Schnecksville, PA) – We have some exciting news about our Scimitar Horned Oryx herd at the Zoo! As part of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo is committed to helping animals in the wild. One of the ways we do that is by participating in the Species Survival Program (SSP).

Scimitar Horned Oryx are extinct in the wild and Lehigh Valley Zoo has been fortunate enough to have many generations of oryx born here. So, in conjunction with AZA and SSP, we are sending some of our herd to a new home to continue our breeding and repopulation efforts. Munchkin, Peaches, Sonny, and Graham will join a new herd at a Source Population Alliance (SPA) reserve to roam and breed with a larger population of oryx.

The SPA is “a group of private landowners, Conservation Centers, and zoos who dedicate their unique resources to creating sustainable populations of wildlife that serve as dependable reservoirs for conservation”. Their goal is to “produce more funds for conservation, management, scientific research, and population sustainability, improve awareness, and return populations to their native habitat”.

At the reserve, our oryx will continue to be an important part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP). This relocation is crucial as it allows more diversification of oryx genes both on the reserve and in our own herd right here at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. When an oryx at the Zoo is moved, it creates room for another oryx to join the herd if it is found to be a suitable pair under the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). A diverse gene pool is vital for the survival of oryx and those who are released back into the wild to keep populations thriving and healthy.

What does this mean for our herd at home? Well, we have some new additions! Since 2017, the Lehigh Valley Zoo has seen the birth of 9 calves. Last year we welcomed Maha, and Hasani. This year we welcomed another Oryx calf born in March of 2021!

Oryx calves keep mom and the animal care staff busy. As soon as our calves are born our veterinarians do prenatal exams to ensure calves are healthy just like our partners at Lehigh Valley Health Network carefully monitor the health of human newborns. After prenatal checks, our animal care staff will monitor welfare and milestones to make sure the baby is growing up big, strong, and healthy. This monitoring includes keeping a close eye on mom. When starting introductions with the rest of our herd, the keeper staff will be closely watching while our baby gets to know everyone. You may see our newest calf on exhibit with the herd, or she may be back in her bedroom, whatever mom and baby think is best that day.

Lehigh Valley Zoos is honored and thrilled to be part of such a monumental cause and wishes the members of our herd success as they find new pairs. We’d like to thank our staff for taking such good care of our animals and our guests as well for supporting their local zoo to make moments like this possible! In addition, we’d like to thank our sponsor, Lehigh Valley Health Network, who is the official Motherhood Partner of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

###

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.

###

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.

(Schnecksville, PA) – Murphy, our 20-year-old Masai giraffe, is directly benefiting from the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s affiliation with the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This accreditation means we meet the highest standard of animal care. This encompasses everything from welfare, healthcare, husbandry, and training; and often means that our animals exceed the life expectancies of their wild counterparts.

Care for our animals at all ages is of great importance, which means the senior citizens at the zoo like Murphy receive tailored health plans to monitor any age-related health matters. Examples of his health care plan involve a lot of cooperative husbandry training. He is trained to do voluntary blood draws, hoof work, and even hoof x-rays. This helps our on-site veterinary team coordinate his care with his zookeepers.

Recently, Murphy started showing signs of stiffness in one of his legs. His keepers and the veterinarians were able to quickly come up with a care plan to ensure Murphy was moving around comfortably. Part of this plan is giving Murphy time to rest in his “bedroom” off-exhibit. We’re also taking this time to do bloodwork more frequently so we can see if there are any other health related matters that need to be addressed. We will continue to update our staff and guests with ongoing changes of Murphy’s care and the other senior citizens of the zoo!

Murphy arrived at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in 2017 from Kansas City Zoo. He is beloved by many Lehigh Valley Zoo fans and is well known for his sweet yet persistent personality. Prior to giraffe feedings, he can often be found surveying the crowd (perhaps to see how many new friends and treats he will receive) and he is usually the first to the feeding deck.

Our gentle giant is always happy to take any lettuce offered and, if you are lucky, you may even see an ear wiggle while he chomps on his food. Murphy is also an excellent student when it comes to training and he is a great teacher to Tatu, who is learning to become an adult giraffe.

As part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), Murphy and Tatu are important contributors to their species and help educate guests about conservation for Masai giraffes. Since the introduction of giraffe to the Lehigh Valley Zoo, we have proudly contributed more than $30,000 to their conservation in the wild by supporting the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). GCF, giraffeconservation.org, is the only organization in the world that focuses solely on the conservation and management of this iconic animal in the wild throughout Africa. GCF works closely with many partners in Africa and internationally to ensure high priority for giraffe on national and regional conservation agendas by identifying and providing long-term conservation solutions for all giraffe populations in the wild. The Lehigh Valley Zoo is proud to provide a home for Murphy and Tatu and stand tall for giraffes as we support the future of the species.

###

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.

(Schnecksville, PA) –
We are saddened to share that our male wolf, Omega, has passed away this week due to cancer. Omega’s quality of life and welfare had been carefully monitored by veterinarians and his keepers regarding a growth above his eye. Once animal care staff noticed the growth was impacting his welfare, the animal care team made the hard decision to humanely euthanize him.

At almost 14 years old, Omega exceeded the median life expectancy by four years. He was an important part of the Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Program (SSP), which aims to release wolves bred in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) zoos into the wild.

Mexican gray wolves are a subspecies of gray wolf, often referred to as “el lobo”, and are the most endangered subspecies of wolf in the world. Just like each wolf is important in the pack, each wolf plays a vital role in maintaining nature’s delicate balance. Staff and guests will greatly miss Omega and his memorable antics during carcass feeds, as well as chasing after his brothers in playful pack games.

During this time, animal care staff will be monitoring Magdalena, the Zoo’s female wolf, because of changing pack dynamics to ensure she is adjusting. She may choose to stay off exhibit as she adjusts so we greatly appreciate everyone’s understanding during this transition.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo, in conjunction with AZA, will begin searching and working on a timeline to bring new pack members to the zoo to introduce to Magdalena. Following the SSP for Mexican gray wolves, the hope is to find her a suitable partner as well.

LV 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 a minimum of 163 in the wild and approximately 400 in the captive breeding program as of 2019.

LV Zoo is proud to support the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf population, and will continue to educate the public on these fascinating and beautiful animals in hopes they will one day have a sustainable wild population. By supporting AZA accredited institutions, individuals can help save species like the Mexican gray wolf.

###

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.

(Schnecksville, PA) – Winter Light Spectacular has recently been featured in a Los Angeles Times travel article highlighting some of the unique a notable holiday activities that can be found throughout the Lehigh Valley!

###

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 and Twitter.