Lehigh Valley Zoo - Smart Fun


LOCATION 5150 Game Preserve Road, P.O. Box 519, Schnecksville, PA 18078 The Zoo is located inside the scenic 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve. The Zoo is located seven miles north of Route 22 and just fourteen miles from the heart of downtown Allentown

HISTORY As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society is seven years young, but as a treasured community landmark, our 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. General Trexler played a significant role in saving the North American Bison from extinction by providing a place where both bison and elk could roam freely undisturbed. In 1935, the County of Lehigh took ownership of the Preserve, and in 1974, construction began on the Preserve’s 29-acre Children’s Zoo. In 2004, the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society assumed management of the Zoo, as well as the daily management of the bison and elk herd and the palominos in the 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve.

MISSION Lehigh Valley Zoo’s mission is to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages as it demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities.

ACCREDITATION Lehigh Valley Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the international organization that sets the highest standards for zoos and aquariums. With more than 220 accredited members, representing the top ten percent of zoos and aquariums in North America, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and a link to helping animals in their native habitats. Species Survival Plan Participation (SSP) Change title and replace paragraph: Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Program and Population Management Plan (PMP) Participation Lehigh Valley Zoo’s animal collection includes fourteen species classified as endangered, threatened, or species of concern: African Black Footed Penguin, Mexican Gray Wolf, Mongoose Lemur, Scimitar Horned Oryx, North American River Otter, Red Kangaroo, Plains Zebra, Canada Lynx, West African Black Crowned Crane, Laughing Kookaburra, Snowy Owl, Trumpeter Swan, Tammar Wallaby, and Prehensile Tailed Porcupine.

BASIC FACTS Lehigh Valley Zoo maintains a collection of more than 275 animals representing 70 species – from African Penguins to Zebras. Africa, Australia and North America are the current exhibit groups.

SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN PARTICIPATION (SSP) Lehigh Valley Zoo currently participates in four SSP programs: African Penguins, Mexican Gray Wolves, Mongoose Lemurs, and Scimitar-horned Oryx. The mission of the SSP program is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species into the future and to provide a link between zoo and aquarium animals and the conservation of their wild counterparts.

HOURS The Zoo is open year round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. April – October open daily 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. November – March open daily 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m

ADMISSION April - October $10.75 for adults, $9.75 for seniors, $8.75 for children 2 to 11. Free for Zoo members and children younger than 2. November - March March, $8.75 for adults, seniors and children 2 to 11. Free for Zoo members and children younger than 2. Groups of 15 or more may receive discounted group rates by making reservations in advance. All groups should call 610-799-4171.

MEMBERSHIP Join the Zoo for unlimited visits, unlimited fun all year long! Family memberships start at just $95 and include: free admission; free or discounted admission to more than 100 zoos and aquariums nationwide; and discounts on education programs, family workshops, birthday parties, and much more!

ATTENDANCE General Zoo attendance has grown from 63,000 in 2005 to over 100,000 guests in 2011.

INFORMATION Phone: 610-799-4171; Fax: 610-799-4170 On the web: www.lvzoo.org Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Lehigh Valley Zoo Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/#!/LVZoo

MEDIA CONTACT Shirley Kline Lehigh Valley Zoo skline@lvzoo.org or 610-799-4171, ext. 223.