LV ZOO WELCOMES ANOTHER SCIMITAR-HORNED ORYX CALF TO THE HERD

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
OCT 18, 2023

LV ZOO WELCOMES ANOTHER SCIMITAR-HORNED ORYX CALF TO THE HERD
Lehigh Valley Health Network is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LV Zoo


(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo along with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), is excited to welcome another scimitar-horned oryx calf to the herd. Born to mother, Too Haute, this is the 11th oryx calf born at the LV Zoo since 2014. Most recently, Scotty Jr. was born on Aug. 4. LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

Since its birth on Oct. 8, the yet-to-be-named, female oryx calf and her mother spent just over a week apart from the herd to allow for bonding, nursing, and rest. This is the second calf born to Too Haute and father, Bakuli. Their daughter, Eclipse, was born at the LV Zoo on Nov. 9, 2022. Interestingly, both parents were also born at LV Zoo, Too Haute in 2019 and Bakuli — who was transferred to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (Glen Rose, TX) this past March — in 2020.

 

Oryx gestation lasts approximately nine months, after which a single calf is born weighing approximately 20-30 pounds. For comparison, adult males weigh between 300-400 pounds and adult females weigh between 200-300 pounds. Calves are born with a yellow coat that lacks the distinguishing marks of the adult oryx. Calves start to wean around 3.5 months, at which time they become fully independent. Both males and females have long thin horns, which can grow more than three feet in length.

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), LV Zoo has participated in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for scimitar-horned oryx for more than 10 years. Since bringing this species to Schnecksville in 2007, the Zoo has served as a successful breeding facility for this endangered antelope. In the 1980’s, the scimitar-horned oryx was declared extinct in the wild. Since that time, global efforts have been ongoing to aid in their conservation and reintroduction to the areas in Africa where they once roamed.

The Oryx calf still needs a name. In partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), LV Zoo is hosting a naming poll on Facebook this week — allowing guests and followers the opportunity to decide the final official name by voting for their favorite finalist.

Guests can visit the new Oryx calf along with the rest of the LV Zoo residents during LV Zoo’s in-season 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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Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Lehighton and one in Dickson City, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on FacebookTwitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

 

LV ZOO WELCOMES FIRST-EVER NEWBORN ALPACA

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
Sep 20, 2023

LV ZOO WELCOMES FIRST-EVER 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 a male baby alpaca, also known as a cria, born to mother Illuminati and father Havoc on Tuesday, Sept. 12. This birth represents a milestone for LV Zoo, as it is the first-ever alpaca born under its care

Illuminati and her cria are both reported to be healthy after spending the first day in the barnyard shelter stalls to allow for rest and bonding. Since then, they have been out on exhibit during the day. LV Zoo’s animal care staff had been closely monitoring Illuminati for signs of pregnancy as she and Havoc had been breeding since they arrived. Alpaca gestation typically lasts around 11-12 months.

 

Five-year-old Illuminati and seven-year-old Havoc came to the 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.

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

 

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Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Lehighton and one in Dickson City, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on FacebookTwitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

 

LV ZOO WELCOMES A LV ZOO WELCOMES A TAMMAR WALLABY AND AN EASTERN SCREECH OWL

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
Sep 15, 2023

LV ZOO WELCOMES A LV ZOO WELCOMES A TAMMAR WALLABY AND AN EASTERN SCREECH OWL
Both New Animals Make Their LV Zoo Debut on Friday, Sept. 15


(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo, is excited to announce two new residents at the zoo: a male tammar wallaby from Buffalo, N.Y., and a female eastern screech owl from Alburtis, Pa.

Although LV Zoo features a bachelor mob of wallabies, tammar wallabies are a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). There are currently a total of just over 40 tammar wallabies at 12 AZA institutions combined across the United States

 

The yet-to-be-named eastern screech owl arrived at LV Zoo from Cricket Wildlife Center in Alburtis, Pa., which is the only wildlife rescue and rehabber in the Lehigh Valley. Found her injured as a fledgling in May 2023, her age is estimated to be around five months old. She had injured tendons in her leg and foot that inhibited her from being able to hunt, which meant that she could no longer survive in the wild. There are two color morphs for screech owls – red and grey. She is a red morph and will be living across from the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital North American River Otter Exhibit.

The new owl still needs a name. In partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), LV Zoo is hosting a naming poll 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.

Guests can visit both new residents during LV Zoo business hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Tickets are available for purchase at lvzoo.org.

 

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Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Lehighton and one in Dickson City, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on FacebookTwitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

STACY GABEL TO PERFORM WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW ZOO SONG AT LVZOO

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
June 22, 2023

STACY GABEL TO PERFORM WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW ZOO SONG AT LVZOO
Local Artist will Debut ‘At The Zoo-oo-oo’ at ‘Music, Movement & Stories’ on Saturday, Sept. 2


(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is excited to announce that local singer/songwriter/recording artist/author Stacy Gabel will perform the world premiere of her new song and video At the Zoo-oo-oo during the second-annual Music, Movement & Stories at LV Zoo on Saturday, Sept. 2, from 10:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. The event, part of the zoo’s annual Labor Day weekend Food Truck Festival, will also feature Gabel reading her new children’s book, also titled At the Zoo-oo-oo.

Tickets for Music, Movement & Stories can be purchased at lvzoo.org. Reservations include daytime admission to the zoo — and Food Truck Festival — for the same price as General Admission tickets: $16 for adult, $15 for seniors and $14 for children.

Gabel, a Lehigh Valley native, is an award-winning recording artist who performs regularly at Musikfest, LV Zoo’s Zoocoustic Night and at other various festivals and venues throughout the region and in Tampa, Nashville and Los Angeles.

 

She has won two Global Music Awards for lyricist, song and musician; has captured several local awards, including the top Fans Choice Award, Discovered Artist, Outstanding Female artist, Outstanding All Around Performer and Best Song; and has also been honored at Lehigh Valley Music Awards and for Best Song in the Pinnacle Film Awards. She recently released a five-track EP titled Straight to Voicemail in January.

Gabel also has extensive experience working with children throughout her career. With an educational background in Musical Theater, TV/Film and Children’s Television Production, Gabel’s first professional recording was for a collection of sacred songs for children. She is a former TV promo producer and writer at Nickelodeon/MTV Networks in New York City and Los Angeles, for which she sang in several radio/TV jingles and voiceovers for Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite. An accomplished performer in a variety of media, Gabel is also member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG/AFTRA) and appeared in several TV and film roles, including appearances in General Hospital and Charmed.

Following Music, Movement & Stories, Gabel will perform some of her original songs and favorite covers from noon until 1 p.m. as part of the Food Truck Festival festivities.

The presave link for At the Zoo-oo-oo song/video is orcd.co/atthezoo. To purchase the book directly, please visit store.bookbaby.com or come to one of the scheduled book signings at Barnes & Noble and Moravian Book Shop. More information is available at stacygabel.com and at social handles @stacygabelmusic.

 

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LV Zoo’s sixth-annual Food Truck Festival, presented by Whitetail Disposal, takes place Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aside from a visit with the animal residents, guests enjoy the opportunity to purchase offerings from at least seven different local food trucks each of the three days of the event. Additionally, adult beverages will be available for purchase from McCall Collective Brewing. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org at the regular general admission prices: $16 for adult, $15 for seniors and $14 for children. 

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

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—Smart Fun—

 

Welcomes a New Oryx, While Mourning The Loss of a Wallaby

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
June 22, 2023

LV ZOO WELCOMES A NEW ORYX, WHILE MOURNING THE LOSS OF A WALLABY
Lehigh Valley Health Network is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LV Zoo


(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo, along with Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), is excited to have welcomed a scimitar-horned oryx calf on Aug. 4.  This calf born to mom Donnar is the 10th oryx calf born at LV Zoo since 2014. LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

Since its birth on Aug. 4, the yet-to-be-named, male oryx calf has spent several weeks apart from the herd with his mother, Donnar, to allow for bonding, nursing and rest. Donnar — who has been a member of LV Zoo’s oryx herd for nearly 10 years — has successfully raised several other calves and has proven herself to be a nurturing and protective mother. The oryx herd was integrated with the eland herd this past spring, making this the first time a calf has been born in the zoo’s multi-species setting. As always, the Animal Care and Veterinary teams have been diligent in monitoring all the antelope to see how they are handling the new addition.

 

Oryx gestation lasts approximately nine months, after which a single calf is born weighing approximately 20-30 pounds. For comparison, adult males weigh between 300-400 pounds and adult females weigh between 200-300 pounds. Calves are born with a yellow coat that lacks the distinguishing marks of the adult oryx. Calves start to wean around 3.5 months, at which time they become fully independent. Both males and females have long thin horns, which can grow more than three feet in length.

As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), LV Zoo has participated in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Scimitar-Horned Oryx for more than 10 years. Since bringing this species to Schnecksville in 2007, the Zoo has served as a successful breeding facility for this endangered antelope. In the 1980’s, the scimitar-horned oryx was declared extinct in the wild. Since that time, global efforts have been ongoing to aid in their conservation and reintroduction to the areas in Africa that they once roamed.

Unfortunately, LV Zoo is saddened to announce one of its Tammar Wallabies, Mose, unexpectedly passed away in early August at eight years old. Mose arrived at LV Zoo in 2015 with his half-sibling, Dwight, from Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Lincoln, Neb. They lived together in the habitat adjacent to the emus. Like many wallabies, Mose was timid and a bit skittish, but he would make his way over to Animal Care staff for his diet and to investigate new enrichment items. He also enjoyed taking naps in his exhibits’ bamboo forest, where he was very good at hiding in plain sight and having an occasional snack on nearby bamboo leaves. During the construction of Habitat Madagascar, the mob of Red Kangaroos moved in with the wallabies, creating a dynamic environment for the two species.

Mose will be dearly missed by all staff and guests. LV Zoo officials are hopeful to introduce another wallaby to both the habitat and to Dwight in the upcoming months.

Guests can visit all of the Australian and African species, along with the rest of our residents during LV Zoo 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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Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Lehighton and one in Dickson City, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on FacebookTwitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

PYGMY GOATS

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
July 27, 2023

LV Zoo Welcomes Three PYGMY Goats To The Herd
The Trio will Join the Zoo’s Current Four Goats on Exhibit on
July 27


(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo,excited to announce the arrival of three male pygmy goats. Hobart, Odin and Oliver come to Schnecksville from Rose Bridge Farm & Sanctuary in Dresher, Pa., by whom they were rescued as babies.

The trio, all approximately seven months old, arrived at LV Zoo on June 27 and had since been quarantining off exhibit for one month, during which time they received physical exams and essential vaccinations. LV Zoo’s Animal Care staff has observed these new goats to be extremely playful and to love receiving attention.

Pygmy goats are a breed of domestic goat that stay small and stocky. They stand less than two feet tall and weigh 45-60 pounds when fully grown.

Hobart, Odin and Oliver increase the current herd to seven goats, joining female, Phoebe(Toggenburg goat) and males Jasper (American Alpine), Onyx (American Alpine) and Stormy(La Mancha). The three males on this list also arrived at LV Zoo from Rose Bridge Farm & Sanctuary back in September 2021.

Guests can feed the goats at any point during LV Zoo’s business hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. A handful of grain is dispersed via a vending machine for one token; and tokens cost $1 for one, $5 for 6 and $10 for $12. Tickets can be purchased at lvzoo.org.

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

County of Lehigh and LV Zoo Welcome Baby Bison

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
June 22, 2023

Lehigh Valley Health Network is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LV Zoo


(Schnecksville, PA) – The County of Lehigh, in conjunction with Lehigh Valley Zoo, is thrilled to announce the newest addition to the bison herd. Born on June 11, this calf marks the first birth of the year and is the third offspring of its mother. Both the calf and its mother are in excellent health and are currently under the attentive care of the LV Zoo Animal Care staff and dedicated veterinarians.

Photo: Bison calf standing in front of its mother

Nestled within the picturesque, nearly 2,000-acre Trexler Nature Preserve, the bison enjoy a serene habitat. 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 15 members — and is active with other conservation partners to help ensure the health and longevity of the herd.

Bison offspring, known as calves, are typically born after a gestation period of approximately nine months. Calves are precocial, meaning they are relatively independent and mobile shortly after birth. They can stand and walk within a few hours of being born, and they start nursing from their mothers almost immediately. Bison calves have a reddish-brown coloration, which gradually darkens as they mature. Lehigh Valley Health Network is the official motherhood partner of the LV Zoo.

 

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Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Lehighton and one in Dickson City, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children, burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Alliance, an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the community’s only children’s hospital, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on FacebookTwitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

# # #

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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Service Electric to Broadcast Zoocoustic Night at LV Zoo

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
June 20, 2023

(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo announced today that the fifth-annual Zoocoustic Night will be broadcast live on The Service Electric Network Channel 502 HD on Saturday, June 24, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. SEN will bring the sights and sounds from the event to viewers, as well as interviews with several members of Zoo leadership between musical performances. The event is presented by Service Electric TV & Communications, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and co-sponsored by 99.9 The HawkCat Country 96 and 100.7 WLEV.

Zoocoustic Night will feature seven local music artists presenting acoustic performances on four separate stages throughout the zoo. The schedule for the televised acts on the Service Electric stage appear as follows:

5:30 p.m.             Hayley Jackson
6:00 p.m.             Shaun Lally
6:30 p.m.             Stacy Gabel
7:00 p.m.             Jeiris Cook
7:30 p.m.             John Strasburger
8:00 p.m.             Kendal Conrad
8:30 p.m.             Seth Witcher

Guests will be able to tour the Zoo afterhours, when the animals are most active and enjoying their dinner meals.

Attendees who are 21-and-older will also have sampling opportunities from local wineries Talerico’s Tropical Winery and Cellar Beast Winehouse. A variety of food, beer, wines, seltzers and ciders will also be available for purchase.

Dining options include Geakers Tacos and Cockatoo Cafe.

Ticket and event information is available at www.lvzoo.org/zoocoustic. Advanced tickets cost $30/adult (ages 12+) and $20/child (ages 2-11); $20/member adult and $10/member child. Day-of-event pricing in $35/adult (ages 12+) and $25/child (ages 2-11); $25/member adult and $15/member child. There is no cost for children below the age of two. All proceeds of the event go towards the Zoo’s conservation mission of connecting its community with nature to empower people to protect wildlife.

For more information, visit the Zoo’s website at www.lvzoo.org.

The broadcast will be replayed on The Service Electric Network Channel 502 HD on Sunday, June 25, at 12:30 p.m.

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About Service Electric Cable TV and Communications… Established in 1948 and still family owned, Service Electric is the largest privately held internet provider to homes and businesses in the Lehigh Valley, Wilkes-Barre, PA and Hunterdon County, NJ. As the first company to bring internet to the Lehigh Valley, Service Electric continues to build its positive reputation in the community and the communications industry, offering a variety of Internet, TV, telephone and telecommunication services. Service Electric comprises three divisions; SECTV, serving residential customers, SEB – Service Electric Business – serving business and commercial customers, and SEN – Service Electric Network – the in-house production company, bringing a variety of local sports and entertainment to viewers. For more information, visit www.sectv.com.

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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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

LVZoo Announces Arrival of Two Red Ruffed Lemurs

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
May 18, 2023

The New Lemurs will Make Zoo Debut with the Grand Opening of Habitat Madagascar on May 26


(Schnecksville, PA) –Lehigh Valley Zoois excited to announce the arrival of two red ruffed lemurs, Weasley and Makira. The pair will debut at the public Grand Opening of Habitat Madagascar, the LV Zoo’s brand new, year-round lemur and tortoise exhibit, on Friday, May 26.

 

Male Weasley, age 5, is the more gregarious of the pair and is very vocal and displays inquisitive behaviors. Female Makira, age 6, is a bit shyer and more reserved, but her keepers say she is very sweet and gentle toward them.

 

Image of a Red Ruffed Lemur standing on a tree branchRed ruffed lemurs are native to the island of Madagascar and are easily distinguishable from other species by their rusty red coat with black foreheads, bellies and tails. This species of lemur is critically endangered in nature and their wild populations are limited to a single small, protected area on the island of Madagascar.

 

“As we approach the end to what has been a three-year process, we are excited to officially unveil Habitat Madagascar to our guests and the Lehigh Valley community,” LV Zoo President & CEO Amanda Shurr said of the zoo’s biggest addition since bringing in Masai Giraffe in 2017. “We are excited for the addition of the pair of red ruffed lemurs to this habitat as they will be great ambassadors for their species and help us to further educate the Zoo’s guests about conservation. Additionally, this new habitat was designed to give us the ability to add additional species to Habitat Madagascar in the future.”

 

Weasley and Makira arrived at LV Zoo from Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and Bronx Zoo, respectively. The pair were introduced to each other during a quarantine period when newly acquired animals are kept behind the scenes and their health and behavior is closely monitored. This quarantine period is used to make sure that animals are healthy and well acclimated to their new environment before being introduced to the rest of the Zoo and its guests.

 

Keepers at LV Zoo say the pair, a Species Survival Plan (SSP) approved breeding pair, are already getting along very well. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums‘ cooperatively managed SSP 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. Based on the recommendation of the SSP, LV Zoo’s animal experts hope the arrival of Weasley and Makira will lead to baby red ruffed lemurs that would be observable in the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital Nursery located within Habitat Madagascar.

 

The red ruffed lemur pair will join the Zoo’s mongoose lemurs, breeding pair Abby and Mico, and the leopard tortoises, Horace and Autobahn, in the newly completed Habitat Madagascar exhibit building. This brand new modern habitat features several spaces for the Zoo’s lemurs and tortoises, including both indoor and outdoor spaces that will allow guests to observe the residents of Habitat Madagascar year-round, and a nursery habitat where mother and baby lemurs can bond without distraction from other animal residents. This 1,600-square-foot building will also provide behind-the-scenes living space for the animal residents when they are off-exhibit, as well as state-of-the-art climate control to ensure the optimum habitat environment year-round.

 

Habitat Madagascar opens to the public on Friday, May 26. The LV Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests wishing to greet Weasley and Makira on the opening day of Habitat Madagascar can purchase admission online at lvzoo.org.

 

This Grand Opening kicks off an exciting Memorial Day Weekend at LV Zoo, as Giraffe Feeding returns to its two normal time slots (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 2-3 p.m.) beginning on May 26 and the seventh-annual Red, Wine and Blue Festival takes place on Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

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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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.

Lehigh Valley Zoo Welcomes Pair of New Elands

Newsroom
Lehigh Valley Zoo
May 4, 2023

(Schnecksville, PA) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is excited to announce the arrival of two, two-year old female Common Elands, who joined the zoo today from The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio. The pair will join Code, the current male Eland, in the Africa section of the zoo directly across from our Masai Giraffe and the Kiannala Feeding Deck.

 

Two female Common Elands that have just arrived at Lehigh Valley Zoo

 

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 maintaining the balance of their habitat.

 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums‘ cooperatively managed Species Survival Plan (SSP) 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. Based on the recommendation of the SSP, LV Zoo experts hope the arrival of two female Elands will lead to calves in the future.

 

Code has been a popular addition at LV Zoo since his arrival in August of 2022. His impressive size and stature have made him a favorite among guests. With the addition of these two, yet-to-be-named females, visitors will now be able to see the herds of Eland and the Scimitar Horned Oryx — another of the zoo’s African hoof stock — living and interacting together as they would in the wild, providing a more authentic experience.

 

LV Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests wishing to visit Code and the two new female Elands, as well as the other animals at the zoo, can purchase their tickets online at www.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 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 FacebookInstagram and Twitter.