AZA INSTITUTIONS

1. Support AZA institutions whenever possible. By visiting the Lehigh Valley Zoo and other AZA member institutions, you’re supporting the highest level of animal care and welfare, along with the promotion of conservation across the world.
2. Make a donation. By making a donation to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or to your local AZA Zoo, you’re helping us to continue the mission of saving species from extinction.
3. Get involved! Click the words to learn more about SSP and SAFE programs.

Featured Initiatives & Partners

AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction is a collaborative effort by AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to save endangered species and protect wildlife by combining their expertise, resources, and past successes.

The LVZ is proud to be a part of these SAFE programs:

African Penguin SAFE

Through SAFE African Penguin, AZA facilities have collaborated on projects to tackle population declines from overfishing, habitat loss, and oil spills. These efforts include enhancing disaster response for oil spills and building artificial nests.

Red Panda SAFE

SAFE Red Panda will take a multi-faceted approach to conservation, combining ex situ research, education campaigns, and fieldwork efforts to raise awareness and encourage involvement in red panda protection.

Monarch SAFE

The long-term goal of SAFE North American Monarch is to recover and sustain populations of monarch butterflies within our communities through increased conservation leadership in AZA zoos and aquariums. SAFE North American Monarch will use its voice to: amplify evidence-based partner recommendations; create and preserve quality habitat; develop and expand meaningful collaborations; and inspire and empower audiences to take action.

North American Songbird SAFE

The vision of SAFE North American Songbird is North American songbirds thriving throughout their annual life cycles due, in part, to the contributions of zoos, aquariums, and their guests, taking collaborative action to reduce threats.

Species Survival Plan® Programs

The Species Survival Plan Programs (SSP), which are managed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), began in 1981 as a long-term plan to manage species populations under human care with an emphasis on conservation breeding, habitat preservation, public education, field conservation, and supportive research. AZA certified facilities, such as the Lehigh Valley Zoo, help ensure the survival of many of the planet’s threatened and endangered species using SSPs.

SANCCOB™

SANCCOB is a registered non-profit organization whose primary objective is to reverse the decline of seabird populations through the rescue, rehabilitation and elease of ill, injured, abandoned and oiled seabirds – especially critically endangered species like the African penguin.