LV ZOO TRAFFIC ALERT: HISTORIC SCHLICHER’S COVERED BRIDGE CLOSED FOR REPAIR STARTING MAY 12
Please Review Below Prior to Visiting the Zoo

(Schnecksville, Pa.) — Beginning Monday, May 12, Historic Schlicher’s Covered Bridge – which is crossed when accessing LV Zoo from Game Preserve Road via Rt. 309 — will undergo repairs. This construction will close the section of Game Preserve Road between Rt. 309 and this covered bridge. PennDOT estimates the closure to last between four and six weeks. A main detour and an alternate route (cars only) will be clearly marked by road signage. 

This will not affect the route for guests traveling to the Zoo on Game Preserve Road via Rt. 100.  

For those travel Rt. 309, the detour route appears below. The alternate route exists for cars only (8’2” height restriction due to Geiger’s Covered Bridge), as Mill Creek has multiple stretches of one-lane closures:  

TRAVLING 309 N (DETOUR ROUTE)/ALL TRUCKS AND BUSES 

• Continue on 309 N past the Zoo sign at Game Preserve Rd 

• Take a left onto Mill Creek Rd, which is 1.8 miles past Game Preserve Rd 

• Remain on Mill Creek Rd for 2.1 miles until it ends 

• Turn left onto Game Preserve Rd 

• After 0.3 miles, turn right into the Zoo Entrance  

TRAVLING 309 N (ALTERNATE ROUTE)/CARS ONLY – 8’2” LIMIT 

• After passing LCCC, turn left at next light onto Orchard Rd, 0.1 miles before the Zoo sign at Game Preserve Rd 

• Remain on Orchard Rd for 1.7 miles until in ends 

• Turn right onto Old Packhouse Rd 

• After 1.3 miles, turn right onto Ruheton Hill Rd 

• After 0.6 miles, stay straight on Game Preserve Rd 

• After 0.7 miles, turn right into the Zoo Entrance 

 TRAVLING 309 S (DETOUR ROUTE)/ALL TRUCKS AND BUSES 

• Take a right onto Mill Creek Rd, which is 1.8 miles before Game Preserve Rd 

• Remain on Mill Creek Road for 2.1 miles until it ends 

• Turn left onto Game Preserve Rd

• After 0.3 miles, turn right into the Zoo Entrance  

 TRAVLING 309 N (ALTERNATE ROUTE)/CARS ONLY – 8’2” LIMIT 

• Go 0.1 miles past the Zoo sign at Game Preserve Rd, turn right at next light onto Orchard Rd 

• Remain on Orchard Rd for 1.7 miles until in ends 

• Turn right onto Old Packhouse Rd

• After 1.3 miles, turn right onto Ruheton Hill Rd 

• After 0.6 miles, stay straight on Game Preserve Rd

• After 0.7 miles, turn right into the Zoo Entrance 

Directions to LV Zoo via Rt. 100 remain the same: 

 TRAVELING 100 N (TRUCKS/BUSES/CARS) 

• Turn right at the traffic light onto Kernsville Rd 

• After 0.9 miles, bear left onto Horseshoe Rd

• After 0.1 miles you come to a stop sign 

• Turn left ontoWeidasville Rd

• Remain on Weidasville Rd for 1.4 miles until it ends 

• Turn right onto Game Preserve Rd 

• After 1.4 miles, turn right into the Zoo Entrance  

TRAVELING 100 S (TRUCKS/BUSES/CARS) 

• Turn left onto Kistler Rd 

• After 1.5 miles, turn right onto Game Preserve Rd 

• After 2.2 miles, turn right into the Zoo Entrance 

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LEHIGH COUNTY, LV ZOO ANNOUNCE CHANGES FOR THE BISON HERD
Herd has been Split into Two Separate Groups for the Safety of the Bison

(Schnecksville, Pa.) —Lehigh County, in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Zoo, has announced changes to the bison herd. Visitors of the Trexler Nature Preserve will now see bison foraging and exploring separate pastures, on either side of the road, for the safety of the herd.

In September of 2024, the passing of the patriarch bison, Big Boy, resulted in a shift of herd dynamics as the remaining males attempted to determine who would become the next leader. Bison social structure is maintained by a dominant bull that leads the herd. Other males in the herd live in a hierarchical structure; one in which each male is subordinate to those above him. After observing the herd for the past five months, LV Zoo’s Animal Care staff determined the need to intervene and manage the heard in two separate groups to ensure the health and safety of each individual member. The herd of 14 bison is now being cared for as two herds of seven bison.

As a single herd, the bison utilized two different pastures in the Trexler Nature Preserve throughout the year. During the winter months, the bison lived in the field just past the elk habitat. In the summer, they were moved across the road into the pasture further uphill. This method of rotation affords the bison fresh grazing when they entered each space, as well as a novel environment to enjoy. Additionally, any manure left in the vacant field would have time to break down and fertilize growing plant life. To manage the two separate herds, both pastures are now being used simultaneously.

It is common practice to separate herd animals living under human care into smaller groupings. This technique can allow for better care of the animals, such as in situations where there is illness or injury, to manage breeding groups, or to separate individuals that do not get along. The Lehigh County and LV Zoo will continue to work together to maintain one herd of bison in the future.

The zoo is making plans to disposition the adult male bison and to bring in a new bull to both lead the herd and to breed. The process involves finding a new home for these bison in other zoological facilities, state or national parks, or preserves. LV Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and will only send animals to approved and suitable locations.

LV Zoo has been entrusted by the Lehigh County to provide exceptional care for the bison and elk in the preserve for more than 20 years. Zoo staff would like to remind guests to the Trexler Nature Preserve that while these amazing animals may look calm and docile at times, they are still wild animals. It is very dangerous to reach through the fence to harass, feed or attempt to make contact with the animals. The safety of animals and guests is the top priority of both the county and the zoo.

LV Zoo is currently open seven days a week and operating under winter hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org. Beginning in April, the zoo will return to in-season hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY AREA
The $10 M Project to the Lower Section of the Zoo will Begin this Spring

(Schnecksville, Pa.) — Lehigh Valley Zoo has officially announced plans for major renovations to the lower section of the facility. The project, named the Children’s Activity Area (CAA), will be completed in four phases with the construction beginning in Spring 2025 and the expected finish in Summer 2027. Highlights of the CAA include an accessible playground, a new barn in the reconfigured Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard, the Isaacman Family Education Center and a splash pad.

The CAA combines state-of-the-art amenities with good old-fashioned fun. The goal is to increase opportunities for guests to get close to animals and see them in an entirely new way; provide new educational opportunities for schools; and highlight the zoo’s conservation work advocating for — and protecting — species around the globe. The $10 M project will be supported by philanthropy, public support and zoo funding. Information about the CAA and how to become a contributor can be found at lvzoo.org/CAA. Currently, the zoo has raised $2,345,000 of its $10,000,000 goal.

“This project important to our mission, as additional classroom space will allow for a larger portion of the community to partake in our educational programming and learn about animals and conservation,” LV Zoo President & CEO Amanda Shurr said. “It’s important for our guests, as the CAA will provide options for a longer visit with more educational and recreational opportunities; and it is important to our staff, as it will provide improved living areas and amenities for our animals.”

Once completed, the zoo anticipates an increase in attendance by at least 30,000 guests annually. The increase will aid in improving animal habitats and their wellbeing, while also amplifying the guest experience. The zoo is coming off a record-setting annual attendance, having welcomed 183,414 guests during its 2023-24 fiscal year.

Phase One, beginning this spring, consists of creating a new accessible playground and a reconfiguration of the Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard. The new playground will feature modern, accessible equipment for children of all abilities to be active, as one of the best ways for children to learn is through play.

With support from The David & Jackie Jaindl Family and the Fred J. Jaindl Foundation, guests will be able to walk through a modern barn – which will be open year-round — and see the animal “bedrooms” as well as participate in brushing or feeding those residents that wish to participate. The layout of the barn and barnyard will also have a positive impact on the ability of the zoo’s animal care team to support these animals.

Phase Two involves the construction of the Isaacman Family Education Center. The new building, generously supported by Jared and Monica Isaacman, will triple the current capacity for the zoo’s education team to host classes, groups and animal encounters. The center will serve as a state-of-the-art home for many of the zoo’s ambassador animals while also providing an additional set of guest restrooms, a nursing station and changing rooms for the future splash pad.

“As we started to talk about the current capacity constraints of the zoo, it became very clear that we needed to prioritize a new education center with this project,” Chairman of the LV Zoo Board Jeffrey Drobins said. “The current indoor space was built more than 50 years ago and has very minimal capacity. The new Isaacman Family Education Center will have three times the capacity and I couldn’t be more excited to work with Jared and Monica to make this piece of our project a reality.”

Phases Three and Four include the addition of the splash pad and improvements to other amenities in this section of the zoo, such as a marketplace for food and retail concession and a semi-permanent covered seating area for guests of all ages and abilities. The splash pad will encourage guests to stay and play longer while offering relief during the warmer summer months.

Throughout the construction process, several animals will be temporarily relocated until the project is complete.
The CAA marks LV Zoo’s third major construction project in the past three years, as the zoo added Habitat Madagascar – a new exhibit that houses mongoose lemurs, red ruffed lemurs and tortoises – on May 26, 2023, and Rothrock Red Panda Peak on June 7, 2024.
LV Zoo is currently operating under winter hours of Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org. Beginning in March, the zoo is back to opening seven days per week.

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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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—

Join us to #SupportSelma

Over the past several months, Lehigh Valley Zoo’s veterinary staff has been closely monitoring our 14-and-a-half-year-old Canada Lynx, Selma, due to signs of potential health issues. Through a recent diagnosis, the zoo team was sad to learn that Selma is dealing with non-regenerative anemia, likely caused by cancer.

The veterinary staff first discovered Selma had significant medical issues in the fall during a dental procedure. She was given a full physical exam at that time, which included routine blood testing that revealed several concerning values.

The next step was to get a better understanding of what was causing these abnormalities in her bloodwork. Selma underwent two exams for more advanced diagnostic testing at Valley Central Veterinary Referral Center(VCVRC) — including an ultrasound, gastroscopy and a CT scan. Additional bloodwork taken during these procedures confirmed she may being dealing with cancer. 

After reviewing the test results and conferring with the veterinarians at VCVRC, the zoo team decided that the best option for Selma is to treat her with oral medications aimed at sending the cancer into remission and stimulating red blood cell production. While Selema is currently active and eating well, she is being closely monitored by Animal Care staff for any indication of lethargy, inappetence, or discomfort. The goal is to keep Selma, who has been at the LV Zoo since 2018, as happy and healthy for as long as possible.

How can you help? The zoo is asking for you to share any of your favorite Selma photos in order to lift the spirits of her caretakers and guests that list Selma among their favorite LV Zoo animals (to tell her apart from her habitat mate, Sasquatch, Selma is smaller in size, more grey in color and has longer ear tufts). You can also make a donation specific to her care by clicking HERE.

#SupportSelma

Lehigh Valley Zoo WELCOMES ITS First-Ever NEWBORN Eland
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 excited to announce the birth of a Common Eland born to mother Moira and father Code on Jan. 6. This calf represents a milestone for LV Zoo, as it marks the first-ever eland born under its care.

The zoo’s veterinary team conducted an examination on Jan. 7 and confirmed the newborn is a healthy male, weighing 68.2 pounds. Both Moira and her baby are doing well. The pair enjoyed the opportunity to bond and rest in a sheltered area before being introduced to the rest of the herd on Jan. 13, and the pair will be visible to daytime guests beginning Jan. 15 during zoo winter hours. Female eland are sexually mature at 15 to 36 months and have a gestation period of nine months, giving birth to only one calf at a time.

Code became LV Zoo’s first common eland when he arrived as a one-year-old from The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio, in August 2022. Moira and her sister, Alexis, also joined the LV Zoo family from The Wilds as two-year-olds in May 2023. The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in the world.

The baby calf also marks a success for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums‘ cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is designed “to manage a genetically diverse, demographically varied, and biologically sound population” of certain animals. The SSP pairs members of the same species at accredited zoos based on their genetics, so it was this recommendation that brought Moira and Alexis to join with Code at LV Zoo.

The common eland is the second-largest species of antelope after the giant eland, with males growing up to six feet tall at the shoulder and weighing anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 pounds — roughly the same weight as our resident giraffes, Tatu and Joshua. Females are slightly smaller, but still impressive animals. These athletic antelope can jump great heights and have sustained running speeds of 20 mph when escaping predators. Native to Africa, Elands are important members of their ecosystem, playing a crucial role in conservation efforts in their native habitats.

Guests can view the baby calf and visit other LV Zoo residents during winter hours of Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. LV Zoo will also be open on Martin Luther King Jr Day, Monday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org.

The “zoo-born” eland still needs a name. In partnership with LVHN, LV Zoo will launch a naming contest this weekend. All guests entering the Zoo from Jan. 17 through Jan. 20 will receive a complimentary entry form to make a name suggestion and have a chance to win other prizes. More information about the upcoming weekend and the naming contest will soon appear on the Zoo’s Facebook page.

LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

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About Jefferson
Lehigh Valley Health Network is now proudly part of Jefferson Health. Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the Greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow’s professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

# # #

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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—

LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO ADJUSTS CARE FOR ITS BIRDS DURING HPAI OUTBREAK
Zoo’s On-Site Veterinarians Implement Proactive Safety Measures

(Schnecksville, Pa.) — Due to the proximity of recent positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Lehigh Valley Zoo is implementing an established protocol created to keep its animals safe from outbreaks such as HPAI. At this time, the zoo’s barnyard birds, waterfowl and penguins have been brought indoors since they are most at risk.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) reported that HPAI is suspected in two mortality events of snow geese in roosting areas within the region — one in Upper Macungie Township (Lehigh County) and the other in Lower Nazareth Township (Northampton County). Approximately 200 geese were reported dead, and mortality is ongoing. HPAI is highly contagious among wild and domestic birds, causing extreme illness and possibly death.

According to a PGC press release, preliminary in-state testing indicated the presence of HPAI in dead birds collected from both sites. While results are yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at its National Veterinary Services Laboratories, HPAI is presumed to be the cause of these mortality events. The situation is ongoing as sick wild birds were also observed at both locations. As a result of the highly transmissible nature of HPAI, LV Zoo immediately began to implement enhanced safety precautions to protect the birds in its care. The zoo has elected to move the most susceptible species indoors to eliminate contact with wild birds on zoo grounds. Other precautions taken include higher levels of biosecurity for birds; personal protective equipment for staff; restricted access to bird areas; and discontinuation of bird-centered educational programs and interactives. 

Committed to protecting birds in its care, LV Zoo will continue to work closely with the USDA, the State Veterinary Medical Officer, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to stay current with any new updates. The PGC is asking that those encountering sick or dead wild birds to report them to the commission by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD (1-833-742-9453), by emailing pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov or by using the online Wildlife Health Survey tool. 

Since the beginning of the U.S. outbreak in January 2022, HPAI has impacted wild and domestic birds in every state.

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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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—

WINTER LIGHT SPECTACULAR OPENS ITS ELEVENTH SEASON ON FRIDAY, NOV. 15
The Valley’s Original Holiday Tradition Returns for 38 Dates Starting this Weekend

(Schnecksville, Pa.) — The Valley’s Original Holiday Tradition returns this weekend, when Lehigh Valley Zoo and Christmas Décor host the 11^th-annual Winter Light Spectacular (WLS), presented by Service Electric TV & Communications. Hours of operation for Opening Weekend are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are available at winterlightspectacular.com, along with dates, hours of operation, promotions and performance schedules.

Opening Weekend features a pair of prominent guests, as Bluey and Bingo will be around all three nights for a meet-and-greet on the SECTV Dining Terrace between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The popular healer pups will return on Dec. 4. Performing at various times Opening Weekend at the SECTV Princess Stage are Elsa, Anna, Ariel, Cinderella and Rapunzel. Additionally, Santa Claus is back and available for picture packages from Dan’s Camera City on Opening Weekend and during select dates through Dec. 23.

Geakers Tacos and Cockatoo Café are both be open for dining. In addition, the Kilimanjaro Distillery Spirit Station is open Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – offering guests 21 and older the opportunity to purchase spiked hot chocolate or hot cider with one of several options from Kilimanjaro Distillery and Xplorer Spirits (or to enjoy a cold beer).

The popular event is scheduled for 38 dates in all, spanning from Friday, Nov. 15, through Saturday, Jan. 4. Due to the popularity of this event and the likelihood of sold-out dates, LV Zoo strongly recommends purchasing advanced tickets online to guarantee availability.

Located at LV Zoo in Schnecksville, Pa., WLS is the zoo’s largest annual fundraiser and was featured by USA Today in “Holiday light displays worth traveling for across America.”

This year’s event is highlighted by many exciting new additions, such as a 40’ Walk-Through Christmas Tree and a Botanical Garden display. Along with more than 1.2 million lights – a total more than any other Pennsylvania attraction – WLS features classic holiday scenes, numerous photo opportunities, multiple fire pits, hot chocolate and so many other holiday treats.

Revenue from the event supports animal conservation projects and programs at LV Zoo.

Please visit winterlightspectacular.com or follow LV Zoo on Facebook for daily WLS updates, promotions, contests, weather cancellations and so much more.

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2024 SCHEDULE

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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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—

LV ZOO MOURNS THE LOSS OF BIG BOY, MALE BISON
Big Boy Roamed the Trexler Nature Preserve since 2004

(Schnecksville, PA) – The County of Lehigh, in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Zoo, is deeply saddened to announce the passing of 20-year-old male Bison, Big Boy. Big Boy was born in the Trexler Nature Preserve in May 2004 and served as the leader of his herd for the majority of his life. In his role as patriarch, he fathered over a dozen offspring, some still in the herd and others who have moved on to different herds.

As the name Big Boy suggests, it was not difficult to identify him as he was large in stature and maintained a dominant presence over the rest of the Bison on the preserve. Big Boy was estimated to have reached 2000 pounds in his formative years.

Members of LV Zoo’s animal care staff note that in his youth, Big Boy was often seen running energetically through the preserve, using his horns to toss aside tree limbs as he roamed. In his later years, he spent much of his time grazing and calmly roaming around the range. Big Boy will be dearly missed by staff and guests who admired him over the years.

In zoological settings, Bison may reach up to 25 years old.

LV Zoo has been entrusted by Lehigh County to provide exceptional care for the elk and bison in the Preserve for more than 20 years. As a part of its steadfast commitment to conservation, LV Zoo manages the size of the bison herd — which has grown to include 14 members — and is active with other conservation partners to help ensure the health and longevity of the herd. Bison are one of the first North American conservation success stories. The species was near extinction in the late 1800s, when they were hunted primarily for their hides but also for their meat and bones. By the end of the 19th century, bison populations were eliminated from over 98 percent of their range in the lower 48 states, resulting in fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. Today, bison are making a comeback through population management on ranches and tribal lands, and protected parks and preserves such as the Trexler Nature Preserve.

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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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—

LV ZOO WELCOMES A NEWBORN ALPACA
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 excited to announce the birth of another male baby alpaca, also known as a cria, born to mother Illuminati and father Havoc on Aug. 22. This marks the second – ever alpaca birth at LV Zoo — the first being the cria’s brother, Buzz, born to the same parents nearly one year prior on Sept. 12, 2023.

An examination was performed by the zoo’s veterinarian team on Aug. 23, and it was determined the newborn is a healthy male, weighing 13.6 Ib.

Illuminati and her cria spent the first few days in the barnyard shelter stalls to allow for bonding, nursing and rest. This time allowed for the cria to gain strength and master his mobility skills. Since Aug. 26, both have been out on exhibit during the day with the rest of the barnyard animals. LV Zoo’s animal care staff had been closely monitoring Illuminati for signs of pregnancy. Alpaca gestation typically lasts around 11-12 months.

Six-year-old Illuminati and eight-year-old Havoc arrived at LV Zoo together in October 2022 from a private facility for breeding purposes. Alpacas are native to the central and southern Andes Mountains, from Peru to Argentina and are the smallest of the domesticated camelid species.

The new alpaca still needs a name. In partnership with LVHN, LV Zoo is hosting a naming contest on Facebook next week — allowing guests and followers the opportunity to decide the final official name by voting for their favorite finalist.

LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

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LV Zoo is set to host another exciting Labor Day weekend, which gets underway Friday with School Spirit Day. All guests wearing their school or college merchandise will receive a $3 discount off an adult or child general admission ticket. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, the zoo hosts its 8th-annual Food Truck Festival, presented by Whitetail Disposal. With a standard general admission, guests have the opportunity to purchase offerings from a variety of local food trucks with different options available each day of this event. A complete listing is available on the event website here. Additionally, guest 21+ with a valid ID, will have the chance to purchase alcoholic beverages from Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild members, Funk Brewing Company on Saturday and Five Maidens Cider Company on Sunday.

LV Zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org.

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Lehigh Valley Health Network is now a part of Jefferson
Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow’s professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.

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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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—

HELPING OUR ANIMALS BEAT THE HEAT

As summer heats up, we wanted to share with you the various ways our zookeepers are working to keep our animals safe and cool this season.Next time you visit us, you may notice water misters, ice treats, kiddie pools and extra shaded areas in many of the exhibits. These additions help our animals stay cool and comfortable as the summer progresses. You may also notice that many animals have access to their indoor habitats, giving them the choice of whether they want to spend their time outside or in their cool indoor habitats to beat the heat!Many of our animals are well-adapted to the heat, particularly our African and Australian species. You can often spot our giraffes, oryx, elands, zebras, ostrich, emus, kangaroos, and wallabies sunbathing or leisurely strolling around their habitats in the summer. 

Other animals might prefer to stay indoors or in shaded areas, like our red pandas, making them a bit harder to spot. However, if you look carefully, you may be able to see them hanging out in their bamboo hut or through the viewing window of their indoor habitat!

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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 Game 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 Twitter.

— SmartFun—