April 28, 2017 | Schnecksville, Pa – Lehigh Valley Zoo is happy to announce the birth of another scimitar-horned oryx, a critically endangered species of antelope still listed as extinct in the wild.  The mother and male calf are doing well and have spent some time off-exhibit to bond with each other and to allow for monitoring by our Animal Care and Veterinary team. The as-of-yet unnamed youngster was born on April 9^th. The calf will be introduced to Zoo Visitors this Sunday April 29^th as he and mom will go on exhibit together for the first time.

“This calf is the seventh born at the Lehigh Valley Zoo and is the fourth calf born to her mother.” Said Zoo CEO/President, Melissa Borland “Until recently, scimitar-horned oryx were considered extinct in the wild. We are honored to be part of a program that is re-populating this species.”

Every birth is crucial to ensuring the survival of the species. Lehigh Valley Zoo participates in the scimitar-horned oryx Species Survival Plan (SSP) program, a cooperative effort among Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facilities.  The scimitar-horned oryx SSP is part of the ongoing reintroduction plans to return these majestic antelope to their historic range.  Once widespread in northern Africa, the scimitar-horned oryx was hunted to near extinction for its trophy horns, tough hide, and meat. Lehigh Valley Zoo joined with 52 other zoos to take part in a project organized by the Species Survival Plan, nurturing births from the herds residing in the zoos. In March of 2016, the first 25 oryx were released to the Ouadi-Achim Faunal Reserve. Following additional releases, there are now 90 oryx, born in zoos and conservation centers under this project, in Chad, Africa. The oryx released back into the wild are monitored by the team in Chad.  The project reports the oryx are thriving in the wild and even had a few wild births.

On the heels of the arrival of the new calf, the Lehigh Valley Zoo will soon be sending a female oryx, born to parents at the Zoo in 2016, to another conservation breeding center as part of the recommendations by the scimitar-horned oryx Species Survival Plan. This young female will join a breeding herd of scimitar-horned oryx to be a crucial part of the ongoing efforts to protect the species from extinction. The Lehigh Valley Zoo participates in over 20 SSP programs.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078.

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About the Lehigh Valley Zoo:
As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s 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.

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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.

April 17, 2018 – Schnecksville, PA: The Lehigh Valley Zoo announced today that an 8-month-old Snowy Owl is on exhibit at the zoo. The owlet making Lehigh Valley its home was part of a clutch of 4 chicks hatched by parents at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. This little guy is too young to breed and needs somewhere to grow and mature. As part of its commitment to protecting endangered species, the Lehigh Valley Zoo provides a home to animals retired from breeding, or not yet recommended for breeding. While residing at the zoo, the owlet will be monitored to ensure he receives the proper diet and care needed to mature into a healthy adult owl.

Since he is still young, the owlet has black barring across his chest, back and wings. As he ages, the barring will fade to black flecks on primarily white plumage. Females retain the black barring throughout their lives. The owlet enjoys tubs with shaved ice on warm days so watch for him splashing about as the weather heats up this summer.

Sadly, the little owlet does not have a name. Our Zoo Keepers would like the members and guests of the zoo to participate in naming him. There is a box in the front office of the zoo where we are collecting name suggestions. Please stop by in April and May to see the owlet and to submit your entry for the Owlet Naming Contest. The contest winner will get a 2018 zoo prize pack and tickets!

Zoo’s Mission to Protect Endangered Animals
Lehigh Valley Zoo’s mission is to help save species from extinction through animal conservation leadership and to provide guidance in conservation science by celebrating, studying, and protecting wildlife and their habitats. The Snowy Owl is endangered because these owls have a hard time finding enough food. Poachers also kill them to make money from the lovely feathers of this type of owl. Trapping them has resulted in their numbers taking quite a dip in the past couple of decades. “Offering space and expert animal care to this young owlet is another way our zoo participates in the effort to protect this endangered species.” said CEO/President Melissa Borland.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078.

About the Lehigh Valley Zoo:
As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s 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.

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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.

SOUDERTON, Pa., March 28, 2018 – Univest Corporation recently awarded $75,000 to nine educational organizations in Lehigh County that qualify for the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The donations will be used to support educational improvement programs and scholarships for kindergarten through 12^th grades. Ultimately, these funds will provide public schools with innovative programming to enhance learning opportunities and allow private schools to offer need-based scholarships to give families the opportunity to provide a faith-based education that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.

Supporting the local communities it serves is at the heart of Univest’s corporate culture. It’s Committed to Local philanthropic program includes corporate financial support, employee volunteerism and employee leadership through board and committee service. In 2017, Univest donated more than $1.8 million to 544 charitable organizations across its service area and 57% of those donations went directly to support youth and education. Additionally, Univest employees educated 4,578 students and community members through a variety of financial literacy programs and partnerships and volunteered 19,152 hours serving local nonprofits.

About Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary Univest Bank and Trust Co., has approximately $4.6 billion in assets and $3.5 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business as of December 31, 2017. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Univest delivers these services through a network of more than 50 offices in southeastern Pennsylvania extending to the Lehigh Valley and Lancaster, as well as in New Jersey and Maryland and online at www.univest.net.

Schnecksville, PA, March 6, 2018: Lehigh Valley Zoo announced that the horrific storm on Friday, March 2nd severely damaged the entrance sign to the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Understandably, it will be costly to replace the sign. The damage comes at an awkward time in the zoo’s plans and finances. The zoo had planned to relocate and redesign the entrance to be ADA accessible by the close of 2018. Spending scarce funds to replace the damaged sign only to relocate the entrance six-nine months later is not a prudent use of resources. “We are disheartened that our sign was destroyed.” Said Melissa Borland, President and CEO of Lehigh Valley Zoo, “On the other hand, it gives us an opportunity to share our long-term goal of creating a disability-friendly entrance. With the community’s help, we hope to accelerate our timeline for relocating our entrance.”

The current entrance to the zoo, located at the crest of a steep hill that, although picturesque, is difficult for those with wheelchairs, canes, and strollers to negotiate. To address the obstacles created by the hill, the zoo planned to relocate the entrance to the west side of the zoo in late 2018. The land on west side of the zoo is flat, and an entrance gate at that point of the zoo has visitors entering across from the lively and active North American river otters with its stadium seating. Along with the flat surface which is better for those with mobility challenges, the new entrance provides access for wheelchairs. Additionally, it includes space for a facility for charging and storing mobile scooters for those needing support to traverse the zoo property. An added benefit of the relocated entrance is that it will be safer for those with strollers and toddlers learning to walk. “We want the Lehigh Valley Zoo to be inclusive of all members of our community.” Added Melissa Borland, “This relocation will insure the entrance to the zoo is ADA accessible.”

Donations are being accepted to help fund the re-designed entrance, its costs estimated at $75,000. If you would like to support the Front Entrance Renovation Project, please contact Doreen Carl at 610-799-4171, ext. 232, by email at dcarl@lvzoo.org, or visit lvzoo.org/entrance.

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078.

About the Lehigh Valley Zoo:
As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s 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.

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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.

On February 21, 2017, The Neffs National Bank (Neffs, PA) presented donations to the Parkland School District Education Foundation ($20,000), the Northwestern Lehigh Educational Foundation ($20,000), Lehigh Carbon Community College Foundation ($20,000), Northern Lehigh School District Educational Foundation ($20,000), the Wildlands Conservancy, Inc. ($10,000) and the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society ($10,000).  The donations were made in part through the bank’s participation in the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program.  The program authorizes tax credit for contribution to Educational Improvement Organizations.

Kevin Schmidt, President/CEO of The Neffs National Bank, mentioned that the bank has always valued community relationships and is aware of the budgetary constraints that these organizations face.  The EITC program allows the bank to “earmark” their taxes to support these programs.  He hopes that these contributions will stimulate other business to participate in the program and assist qualifying organizations such as these.

Lehigh Valley Zoo January 15, 2018

Lehigh Valley Zoo Conservation Education Director Named to National Committee Vatalaro Appointed to Association of Zoos & Aquariums Scientific Advisory Group Schnecksville, PA – The Lehigh Valley Zoo announced today that Cher Vatalaro was selected to serve as a Steering Committee member on the Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group (AASAG) sponsored by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).   “It is an honor to be named to the AASAG committee whose mission is to emphasize the importance of ambassador animals in education.” Said Cher Vatalaro, Conservation Education Director for the Lehigh Valley Zoo, “Meeting a wild animal up close frequently has a huge impact on people.  Fostering that one-on-one connection between people and ambassador animals is a passion of mine.”     Ambassador animals are the representatives of their species that are utilized in educational presentations both inside the zoo and out in the community.   Close bonds develop between the ambassador animals and the educators that care for them.  The educators bring the ambassador animals out to the public for one-on-one encounters. This encounter can often improve the person’s perspective about animals and conservation.  ASSAG is a growing field of research and study to set universal standards for the care of the ambassador animals as well as the care and safety of the animal and human interaction.  No longer is it acceptable for animals to “perform” in these interactions.  The goal is to create an interaction that is as natural as possible for the animal.  “For instance” said Cher, “I could hold a snake in my hands when I bring him out to a group of children or I could bring a glass case filled with sand and show the children how the snake tunnels into the ground.  Introducing the children to the snake in the sand is more natural and more educational. The AZA Advisory Group I’ve been named to will research and set standards for hundreds of animals across the country that are employed for educational purposes.” The AZA Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group has carved out the following initiatives for its work this year: 1) Establish best practices for Ambassador Animals, 2) Enhance sustainability of animal populations,   3) Support research on ambassador animals including welfare and the impact of ambassador animals messaging to the public,   and 4) review and establish national curriculum for the Program Animal Training Course. “Our strategic plan is to safeguard wild animals in our care alongside supporting efforts to sustain endangered animals in the wild.” Said Zoo president, Melissa Borland.  “Cher Vatalaro’s appointment to this AZA committee acknowledges that Lehigh Valley Zoo’s leadership in conservation education and protection of endangered animals is recognized at a national level.”

Lehigh Valley Zoo is located at 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078.

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About the Lehigh Valley Zoo:
As a member-supported non-profit organization, Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded in 2004, but as a treasured community landmark, the Zoo’s history spans over a century.  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. With a mission to create a safe, engaging and enlightening wildlife experience for guests of all ages, the Zoo demonstrates leadership in the cultural, scientific and conservation communities. To learn more about Lehigh Valley Zoo, we invite you to visit our website, www.lvzoo.org, or follow us on Facebook.

About AZA:
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and seven other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

Due to extreme low weekend temperatures, Lehigh Valley Zoo will be closed during daytime hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, January 5-7. We will open again on Monday, January 8 weather permitting.