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 The Lehigh Valley Zoo originated with the Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve, founded in 1906, and was a principal in the initial effort to save the American bison from extinction. Over the last century, the Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve, owned by the County of Lehigh since 1933, has entertained and educated more than five million visitors in wildlife conservation and provided an outdoor haven for animal and wildlife enthusiasts alike. In 2004, the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society assumed management of the 29-acre zoo within the 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 March 2006, the Lehigh Valley Zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the international organization that sets the highest standards for zoos and aquariums.

BASIC FACTS Lehigh Valley Zoo maintains a collection of more than 200 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 three SSP programs: African Penguins, 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 $9.50 for adults, $7.75 for seniors, $7.00 for children 3 to 11. Free for Zoo members and children younger than 3. November – March $7.00 for adults, seniors and children 3 to 11. Free for Zoo members and children younger than 3. 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 $85 and include: free admission; free or discounted admission to more than 100 zoos and aquariums nationwide; exclusive members-only programs; and discounts on education programs, family workshops, birthday parties, events, and much more!

ATTENDANCE General Zoo attendance has grown from 63,000 in 2005 to more than 95,000 guests in 2009.

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

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