LV ZOO WELCOMES TWO NEW RESIDENTS

Guests will Soon See Another Ostrich and Zebra in the Shared Habitat

(Schnecksville, Pa.) — Lehigh Valley Zoo is excited to welcome a new common ostrich and plains zebra to its ostrich/zebra habitat on Thursday, May 14, both arriving from Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, S.C.

Gabrielle, a 13-year-old female ostrich originally hatched in New Jersey, and Forrest, a 10-year-old zebra born in West Palm Beach, Fla., will soon be joining LV Zoo’s male ostrich Bane and female zebra Rylea in the species’ shared habitat. Forrest was a guest favorite at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in part due to unique stripes over each of his eyes that formed the appearance of eyebrows.

Over the next several days, LV Zoo’s animal care staff will conduct introductions among the four animals, as well as an initiation of the space to the two new residents, in a process to determine when the animals are all able to coexist safely in the habitat.

For many years, this shared habitat at LV Zoo was occupied by four residents (two ostriches and two zebras) prior to the passing of 16-year-old female ostrich Emmy in February 2025 and 26-year-old female zebra Glenda this past December

Guests can visit all LV Zoo residents, and soon meet the two newest residents, during normal business hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org. 

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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 Nature Preserve, the mission of the Lehigh Valley Zoo is to connect its community with nature to empower people to protect wildlife. We have achieved our mission and educated 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. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

— Smart Fun —