(Schnecksville, PA) – As winter approaches, guests may notice a few changes around the zoo! The newest member of our oryx herd has made his debut on exhibit and spent the day running around exploring the rest of his habitat. Our newest joeys, Jenga and Uno, have been spending more and more time outside of their mothers’ pouches, exploring their exhibit and interacting with the rest of the mob. Guests may even get a chance to see them get their “zoomies” where they practice hopping at top speeds!

And as we say goodbye to the warm summer months and hello to the chill of winter, a few of the animals bid farewell to guests and move inside for the season. Our lorikeets, cockatoos, tortoises and western pond turtles are all currently off of exhibit. The reptiles will not be back out until spring temperatures are more appropriate, as they are ectothermic and rely on external sources to regulate their internal temperatures. Guests may still get a chance to see Bobby or Fred throughout the winter when their keepers take them for adventures in the RAD building.

And last but certainly not least, our tallest and most recognizable zoo residents, Tatu and Murphy, have also moved inside for the winter. Guests will notice that the vestibule has been closed and visiting hours are currently unavailable for the giraffe boys. This is due in part to Murphy showing signs of a brief illness. As his keepers and veterinary staff continuously monitor him, we ask for patience and understanding while Murphy continues to recover from his illness. He is already feeling better and we look forward to welcoming guests back into the barn soon, particularly on December 17 — when Murphy turns 20 years old! This is a huge milestone as there are only 10 Masai giraffes who are older than him in all the AZA zoos combined!

Murphy has been continuously and vigilantly monitored by both keeper and veterinary staff due to urinary and age-related issues. Guest access to the vestibule will be subject to change throughout the winter based on what is deemed appropriate by both veterinary and keeper staff.

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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 and Twitter.

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), has officially announced that another scimitar-horned oryx calf has been born into the herd. LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LVZoo.

This marks the third addition to our oryx herd since the spring of 2020.

The new, yet-to-be-named calf is reported healthy and nursing from his mother, Donnar. This little one is a very large newborn so guests will have to look closely to see which one he is in the herd! Donnar has also remained healthy throughout the process and as an experienced mama took to motherhood again with ease.

Oryx calves typically stand within the first hour of birth, which the LVZoo’s newest addition demonstrated for his keepers. Already, he is adjusting well to the herd and keepers believe he is very smart as he has caught on quickly to herd tendencies. His favorite place to hang out is on a big soft pile of hay.

Since scimitar-horned oryx are considered extinct in the wild, this is a huge celebration for the LVZoo, which is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a participant in the Species Survival Plan for scimitar-horned oryx.

Oryx calves weigh an average of 22 pounds at birth and measure approximately 25 inches from the shoulder to the hoof, whereas human babies average seven-and-a-half pounds and approximately 19 inches from head to toe.

Additionally, oryx pregnancies last between eight to eight-and-a-half months and the young become fully independent at around the 14-week-old mark. Both male and female calves reach sexual maturity by two years old.

The newest resident of the LVZoo still needs a name. In partnership with LVHN, the LVZoo is hosting a naming poll on Facebook. The zookeepers will narrow down their list of possible names to four finalists. Fans will then decide the official name by voting for their favorite one on Facebook!

Anyone interested in helping further the care of the new calf – or any of the animals – during this critical time is encouraged to visit lvzoo.org/SustainOurMission.

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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.

(Schnecksville, PA) – The Board of Directors of the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society is pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Shurr as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Zoo. Amanda has served in the interim role for the last eight months, since the end of 2019. Prior to that, Amanda served as the CFO of the Zoo since 2018.

Amanda’s appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive seven-month search process. A committee consisting of members of the Board and the help of Zoo Advisors, a Philadelphia based executive leadership search firm, evaluated over 25 qualified candidates for the role. The committee also worked closely with Zoo staff throughout the process. As a key partner to the Zoo, Lehigh County Director of General Services, Rick Molchany, also had the opportunity to participate in the interview process.

“The County of Lehigh continues to support our residents’ needs for quality of life activities and the Zoo provides a family fun destination to learn about conservation management. Amanda has been a pleasure to work with, while we continue to plan quality of life improvements. I believe she’ll do a fantastic job as the caretaker of this fabulous asset,” said Molchany when asked about the appointment.

Dr. Michael Pasquale, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society, says, “The Board is confident that given Amanda’s success since January, her abilities to deftly manage finances and the business aspects of the role, her relationship with the team, and her knowledge and experience of the Zoo, Amanda is the right person for the role at this time and the person to guide the organization into the future.”

“I feel very privileged that the Board has entrusted me with this responsibility. Leading the organization during this time has not been easy, but I feel very strongly about the team that we have in place at the Zoo. We tackled the challenges of the pandemic and the closure of the Zoo earlier this year together as a team. We worked hard and got creative, and that is what will keep us moving forward,” Shurr said.

The Zoo was mandated to be closed from March 17 through June 30 and now operates at reduced capacity. As a result, the Zoo has lost an estimated $1.3 million in revenues. When faced with the prospect of being closed during some of their most popular months of the year, the Zoo launched its #SustainOurMission campaign to raise funds for the Zoo operations; most importantly the care of the animals.

“While some businesses were able to shut down earlier this year and save operating funds, the Zoo was unable to do that. Our Animal Care staff are essential and they reported to the Zoo daily to ensure that our animals received the highest level of care possible,” stated Shurr when asked about the impact of the Zoo closure.

As part of #SustainOurMission, the Zoo has launched a number of different fundraising events and activities, including the Drive Thru Zoo held earlier this year while the Zoo was closed to foot traffic. The Zoo will also be hosting its annual Conservation Celebration, one of its largest annual fundraisers, on Sunday October 4 at the Zoo.

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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 and Twitter.

(Schnecksville, PA) –It is with deep sadness that the Lehigh Valley Zoo announces the passing of our 13-and-a-half-year-old Mexican gray wolf, Beta. He was under very specific veterinary care for more than two years due to chronic ailments associated with his advanced age. His keepers reported seeing him alive and well in the morning, only to find him deceased later that day.

Wolves are extremely family oriented and each wolf plays an important part in the pack. The loss of Beta’s brother, Alpha, in February resulted in the remaining brothers to be unsettled for weeks following his passing. Beta eventually assumed the role of alpha and the introduction of our new female, Magdalena, did restore order to the pack as the three forged a new familial bond. Keepers anticipate there to be unrest between the remaining two as they adjust to life without him and will closely be monitoring their behaviors for any changes. Guests may hear or see the wolves behaving strangely, so we ask for quiet and understanding as they cope with their loss and figure out their new dynamic moving forward.

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 in the wild plays a vital role in maintaining nature’s delicate balance.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is one of approximately fifty 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.

The Lehigh Valley 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 zoos and aquariums, you can help save species like the Mexican gray wolf.

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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 and Twitter.

(Schnecksville, PA) –It is with heavy hearts the Lehigh Valley Zoo announces the death of its male mongoose lemur, Devlyn, who passed away peacefully in the company of his care staff.

At 23 years old, Devlyn exceeded the average life expectancy for his species – which is typically 21 years old. His keepers lovingly referred to him as a “very sweet lemur who enjoyed socialization time;” an important part of his daily enrichment.

Devlyn greatly contributed to the LV Zoo community and his species as mongoose lemurs are critically endangered. Mongoose lemurs are important pollinators due to their preference for flowers. Sadly, every species of lemurs is endangered due to being endemic only to Madagascar and several surrounding islands. They are highly susceptible to habitat threats; and slash-and-burn agriculture has affected their population numbers while fragmenting forests has prevented populations from mingling.

As part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), LV Zoo works continuously to help save species through Species Survival Plans (SSP) in accordance with AZA and its conservation efforts. Currently, the zoo is working with the SSP on recommendations for a male and female lemur that are genetically compatible and could potentially contribute to the SSP in the future.

Devlyn’s spunky and curious personality will greatly be missed both by those who would often observe him climbing the tree on Lemur Island as well as by the staff who provided his care. The LV Zoo appreciates the community’s support during this difficult time.

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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 and Twitter.

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 for joy over the announcement of two kangaroo joeys! LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LVZoo.

First time mom, Cara, and second time mom, Sadie, have recently shown enlarged pouches and a significant pouch movement; indicating a joey is present. Keepers have also occasionally observed a foot sticking out of the pouch and they are eagerly waiting for the little ones to emerge.

Last year, Sadie gave birth to the then newest member of the mob, Hopscotch. The three new additions were all fathered by George, the lone male kangaroo at the Zoo.

Kangaroo pregnancies and newborns are unique, as joeys are born and then continue to grow inside the pouch. When they are 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 2 and 4 months old. For this reason, our kangaroos don’t have birthdays but “pouch days”! A “pouch day” is the first time a joey makes an appearance outside the pouch and can be seen on exhibit, so it is difficult to determine the exact day a joey is born.

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, the mother 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 residents of the LVZoo still need names. In partnership with LVHN, the LVZoo is hosting a naming poll. The zookeepers have narrowed their list of possible names down to five finalists — Taz, Jenga, Jax, Uno, and Jinx. Fans will then decide the final official names by voting for their favorite one in person at the Lehigh Valley Zoo using tokens. Two lucky winners will receive a family four pack for picking the winning name!

Anyone interested in helping further the care of the new joeys– or any of the animals – during this critical time is encouraged to visit lvzoo.org/SustainOurMission or to donate on the Zoo’s Facebook page.

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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.

Employees in U.S. Headquarters Raise $3,110 for LV Zoo’s Snowy Owl, Yeti

(Schnecksville, PA) – During the pandemic, Lehigh Valley Zoo’s three-year old male snowy owl, Yeti, received an abundance of warmth in the form of a charitable donation. Employees of B. Braun, a global medical and pharmaceutical device company with U.S. headquarters in Bethlehem, Pa., raised a total of $3,110 to go directly toward Yeti’s food and care for 2020.

“At a time when so many businesses and non-profit organizations like the LV Zoo were impacted significantly by extended closures, the kindness and generosity of B. Braun’s employees is a bright spot of positivity in an otherwise very difficult and trying year,” said Kaylyn Devine, LV Zoo’s lead keeper and interim curator. “As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we have made a commitment to ensure that our animals receive the highest standard of care, and a gift like this is sincerely appreciated by our entire animal care team and, of course, Yeti!”

Yeti has been at the LV Zoo since 2018 and is an important part of the Species Survival Program (SSP) for snowy owls; in accordance with the AZA. Sadly, snowy owls are directly affected by global warming and habitat destruction; making SSP programs for snowy owls crucial.

Unlike most owls that only hunt at night, snowy owls are diurnal and hunt during the day. Native to colder climates, these owls also have a lot of feathers for insulation; making them the heaviest owl species in North America. As male snowy owls continue to mature, the spots on their feathers will eventually disappear and turn completely white so they can hunt better in the snow. Females, however, will keep their spots in order to camouflage while protecting their nest.

While Yeti is still waiting for his perfect mate, he has quite the recognizable personality at the LZ Zoo. He is extremely smart and even participates in voluntary training sessions with keepers which help assist with his care — as long as the weather is to his liking. Yeti does have a hint of sass to him as he will never let his keepers know he enjoys his enrichment (items used to encourage natural behaviors in animals to keep them physically and mentally healthy). Instead, he can only be found interacting with enrichment – decoy ducks and anything shiny — in secret.

After being closed to the general public for 106 days due to COVID-19 state guidelines, the LV Zoo officially reopened to the general public on July 1 and remains open seven days a week between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. with additional safety measures in place (i.e. masks must be worn). Tickets must be purchase online and are available at lvzoo.org.

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B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Other key product areas include nutrition, pharmacy admixture and dialysis. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. B. Braun Medical is headquartered in Bethlehem, PA and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap® and CAPS®.

Globally, the B. Braun Group of Companies employs more than 64,000 employees in 64 countries. Guided by its Sharing Expertise® philosophy, B. Braun continuously exchanges knowledge with customers, partners and clinicians to address the critical issues of improving care and lowering costs. To learn more about B. Braun Medical, please explore the website.

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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 and Twitter.

(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is excited to welcome its guests back on Wednesday, July 1, with new safety protocols in place! Tickets will be available via online purchase only beginning 3 p.m. on Monday, June 29 at www.lvzoo.org/reopen.

The outpouring of support from guests has been incredible during the Zoo’s closure and Lehigh Valley Zoo is so appreciative. We know how much everyone has missed our lovable animal residents and we are committed to making sure your visit is as enjoyable as possible.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the highest accrediting body of zoos and aquariums in the country. As part of our accreditation, the Zoo is required to maintain the utmost levels of safety for our animals, staff, and guests. The Zoo’s Re-Opening Plan was created with this mind; utilizing resources throughout the AZA community. Lehigh Valley Zoo has also signed Vow of the Valley; “a set of voluntary commitments by local businesses to its employees and customers for the COVID-19 recovery period” (The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce). Safety is our first priority during this time and so we will be firmly following all protocols and have the right to refuse admittance or ask anyone to exit immediately.

For the safety of our guests, staff, and animals, please note tickets are only available online and will follow timed ticketing protocols. Listed below is a brief overview of our safety guidelines.

SAFETY GUIDELINES:

• Decreased capacity guidelines have been established and will be strictly enforced. Touchless scanning of admission tickets has been enacted.
• Face masks are required, except under age 2. This is not only for the safety of our guests but for the protection of our animals as they cannot wear a mask. Some of our animals (like our cats) may be more susceptible to the virus and we want to keep them as safe as possible.
• Guests will be required to practice social distancing. Signage and pavement markings have been established as reminders. Guest traffic throughout the Zoo will move in one direction. One-way traffic flow will be established through restroom facilities.
• Additional hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the Zoo. Enhanced cleaning protocols have been put in place to ensure that all high touch surfaces are cleaned frequently.
• Food service counters will be open and protected by a Plexiglas shield. Indoor retail stores will be open with limited entry and directional signage to provide one-way flow. Plexiglas shields are installed at the point of sale location.
• Giraffe and Lorikeet feedings and interactions are closed, as well as the playground area & Preston’s Pad. Water fountains are also closed, and guests are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

For a full list of our safety protocols, please visit www.lvzoo.org/reopen. Please check back often as we anticipate certain protocols to change as restrictions are implemented or lifted based on the ever-evolving information surrounding COVID-19. We also appreciate your understanding and compassion as we all navigate this new normal together.

During its closure, Lehigh Valley Zoo has excitedly welcomed several new additions as well as grieved a few losses. Our new additions include two oryx calves (Bakuli and Maha), a baby bison (yet to be named), and Maggie the Mexican Grey Wolf! Each addition is critical in saving their species. Sadly, Voangy (a female lemur), Penelope (a female potbellied pig), Orange (a female Aoudad), and Petey (a male goat) passed away during the time that the Zoo was closed. If you feel compelled, we ask the community to please share stories or pictures of the animals who passed away to commemorate them. All the animals at the Lehigh Valley Zoo continuously received the best care for their unique needs, even during the closure. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank our guests for helping make this possible through their generous donations, Zoo merchandise purchases, and participation in fundraisers. Our community is truly amazing, and we cannot wait to welcome you back to our pack!

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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 and Twitter.

(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is “howling” for conservation with the addition of a female Mexican Gray Wolf. Five-year-old Magdalena has officially joined the Lehigh Valley Zoo from the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York.

During the LV Zoo’s temporary closure, Magdalena was fully introduced to the other members of the pack and her personality has truly began to shine. Known as “Maggie” by her keepers, she is super athletic, adventurous and, since she likes to get into everything she isn’t supposed to, she has earned the nicknamed “Queen Troublemaker.” This playful danger pup can often be seen carrying around a pumpkin stem given to her by her keepers as part of her enrichment, which she then takes into her house at night.

The addition of a female wolf to the LV Zoo has the Mexican Grey Wolf pack again figuring out its pack dynamic, which includes two other males who are 13-year-old brothers. In wolf packs, there is an alpha male and female. This past February, the Zoo’s pack leader, Alpha, passed away. The addition of a female wolf will allow the Zoo’s Mexican Gray Wolf pack to evolve again naturally as she assumes the role of leader and restores the pack dynamic.

Due to their geriatric age, the males receive special diets and care. It costs $57.50 to feed our pack of three each week.

While Maggie is not a compatible genetic match for the two other members of the current pack, she could possibly be paired with a suitable mate for breeding purposes in the future under the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan in accordance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). It is our hope to one day hear wolf pups howling alongside their parents at the LV Zoo! This will further help the mission of saving the Mexican Gray Wolf subspecies from extinction.

In honor of the addition of a female wolf and in memory of Alpha, LV Zoo will be making a donation to the Wolf Conservation Center.

The 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 just over 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.

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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 and Twitter.