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

(Schnecksville, PA) – We have some exciting news about our Scimitar Horned Oryx herd at the Zoo! As part of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Lehigh Valley Zoo is committed to helping animals in the wild. One of the ways we do that is by participating in the Species Survival Program (SSP).

Scimitar Horned Oryx are extinct in the wild and Lehigh Valley Zoo has been fortunate enough to have many generations of oryx born here. So, in conjunction with AZA and SSP, we are sending some of our herd to a new home to continue our breeding and repopulation efforts. Munchkin, Peaches, Sonny, and Graham will join a new herd at a Source Population Alliance (SPA) reserve to roam and breed with a larger population of oryx.

The SPA is “a group of private landowners, Conservation Centers, and zoos who dedicate their unique resources to creating sustainable populations of wildlife that serve as dependable reservoirs for conservation”. Their goal is to “produce more funds for conservation, management, scientific research, and population sustainability, improve awareness, and return populations to their native habitat”.

At the reserve, our oryx will continue to be an important part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP). This relocation is crucial as it allows more diversification of oryx genes both on the reserve and in our own herd right here at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. When an oryx at the Zoo is moved, it creates room for another oryx to join the herd if it is found to be a suitable pair under the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). A diverse gene pool is vital for the survival of oryx and those who are released back into the wild to keep populations thriving and healthy.

What does this mean for our herd at home? Well, we have some new additions! Since 2017, the Lehigh Valley Zoo has seen the birth of 9 calves. Last year we welcomed Maha, and Hasani. This year we welcomed another Oryx calf born in March of 2021!

Oryx calves keep mom and the animal care staff busy. As soon as our calves are born our veterinarians do prenatal exams to ensure calves are healthy just like our partners at Lehigh Valley Health Network carefully monitor the health of human newborns. After prenatal checks, our animal care staff will monitor welfare and milestones to make sure the baby is growing up big, strong, and healthy. This monitoring includes keeping a close eye on mom. When starting introductions with the rest of our herd, the keeper staff will be closely watching while our baby gets to know everyone. You may see our newest calf on exhibit with the herd, or she may be back in her bedroom, whatever mom and baby think is best that day.

Lehigh Valley Zoos is honored and thrilled to be part of such a monumental cause and wishes the members of our herd success as they find new pairs. We’d like to thank our staff for taking such good care of our animals and our guests as well for supporting their local zoo to make moments like this possible! In addition, we’d like to thank our sponsor, Lehigh Valley Health Network, who is the official Motherhood Partner of the Lehigh Valley Zoo.

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Lehigh Valley Health Network includes eight hospital campuses, three in Allentown, one in Bethlehem, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton and two in Pottsville, Pa.; Coordinated Health, which includes two hospital campuses, nearly two dozen multispecialty locations including ambulatory surgery centers and orthopedic injury centers in northeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey; 26 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 22 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 Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley 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 the region’s only hospital nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for orthopedics and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top five hospitals for six consecutive years. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting www.LVHN.org/motherhood, or following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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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 @LVZOO.

(Schnecksville, PA) – Murphy, our 20-year-old Masai giraffe, is directly benefiting from the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s affiliation with the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This accreditation means we meet the highest standard of animal care. This encompasses everything from welfare, healthcare, husbandry, and training; and often means that our animals exceed the life expectancies of their wild counterparts.

Care for our animals at all ages is of great importance, which means the senior citizens at the zoo like Murphy receive tailored health plans to monitor any age-related health matters. Examples of his health care plan involve a lot of cooperative husbandry training. He is trained to do voluntary blood draws, hoof work, and even hoof x-rays. This helps our on-site veterinary team coordinate his care with his zookeepers.

Recently, Murphy started showing signs of stiffness in one of his legs. His keepers and the veterinarians were able to quickly come up with a care plan to ensure Murphy was moving around comfortably. Part of this plan is giving Murphy time to rest in his “bedroom” off-exhibit. We’re also taking this time to do bloodwork more frequently so we can see if there are any other health related matters that need to be addressed. We will continue to update our staff and guests with ongoing changes of Murphy’s care and the other senior citizens of the zoo!

Murphy arrived at the Lehigh Valley Zoo in 2017 from Kansas City Zoo. He is beloved by many Lehigh Valley Zoo fans and is well known for his sweet yet persistent personality. Prior to giraffe feedings, he can often be found surveying the crowd (perhaps to see how many new friends and treats he will receive) and he is usually the first to the feeding deck.

Our gentle giant is always happy to take any lettuce offered and, if you are lucky, you may even see an ear wiggle while he chomps on his food. Murphy is also an excellent student when it comes to training and he is a great teacher to Tatu, who is learning to become an adult giraffe.

As part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), Murphy and Tatu are important contributors to their species and help educate guests about conservation for Masai giraffes. Since the introduction of giraffe to the Lehigh Valley Zoo, we have proudly contributed more than $30,000 to their conservation in the wild by supporting the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF). GCF, giraffeconservation.org, is the only organization in the world that focuses solely on the conservation and management of this iconic animal in the wild throughout Africa. GCF works closely with many partners in Africa and internationally to ensure high priority for giraffe on national and regional conservation agendas by identifying and providing long-term conservation solutions for all giraffe populations in the wild. The Lehigh Valley Zoo is proud to provide a home for Murphy and Tatu and stand tall for giraffes as we support the future of the species.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.

(Schnecksville, PA) –
We are saddened to share that our male wolf, Omega, has passed away this week due to cancer. Omega’s quality of life and welfare had been carefully monitored by veterinarians and his keepers regarding a growth above his eye. Once animal care staff noticed the growth was impacting his welfare, the animal care team made the hard decision to humanely euthanize him.

At almost 14 years old, Omega exceeded the median life expectancy by four years. He was an important part of the Mexican Gray Wolf Species Survival Program (SSP), which aims to release wolves bred in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) zoos into the wild.

Mexican gray wolves are a subspecies of gray wolf, often referred to as “el lobo”, and are the most endangered subspecies of wolf in the world. Just like each wolf is important in the pack, each wolf plays a vital role in maintaining nature’s delicate balance. Staff and guests will greatly miss Omega and his memorable antics during carcass feeds, as well as chasing after his brothers in playful pack games.

During this time, animal care staff will be monitoring Magdalena, the Zoo’s female wolf, because of changing pack dynamics to ensure she is adjusting. She may choose to stay off exhibit as she adjusts so we greatly appreciate everyone’s understanding during this transition.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo, in conjunction with AZA, will begin searching and working on a timeline to bring new pack members to the zoo to introduce to Magdalena. Following the SSP for Mexican gray wolves, the hope is to find her a suitable partner as well.

LV Zoo is one of approximately 50 zoos and conservation centers helping to rehabilitate Mexican gray wolves. This subspecies was nearly brought to extinction by widespread trapping and poisoning in the early 1900s. After reintroducing Mexican gray wolves, there are a minimum of 163 in the wild and approximately 400 in the captive breeding program as of 2019.

LV Zoo is proud to support the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf population, and will continue to educate the public on these fascinating and beautiful animals in hopes they will one day have a sustainable wild population. By supporting AZA accredited institutions, individuals can help save species like the Mexican gray wolf.

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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, we have 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. Through 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 @LVZOO.

(Schnecksville, PA) – Winter Light Spectacular has recently been featured in a Los Angeles Times travel article highlighting some of the unique a notable holiday activities that can be found throughout the Lehigh Valley!

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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 and Twitter.

(Schnecksville, PA) – As winter approaches, guests may notice a few changes around the zoo! The newest member of our oryx herd has made his debut on exhibit and spent the day running around exploring the rest of his habitat. Our newest joeys, Jenga and Uno, have been spending more and more time outside of their mothers’ pouches, exploring their exhibit and interacting with the rest of the mob. Guests may even get a chance to see them get their “zoomies” where they practice hopping at top speeds!

And as we say goodbye to the warm summer months and hello to the chill of winter, a few of the animals bid farewell to guests and move inside for the season. Our lorikeets, cockatoos, tortoises and western pond turtles are all currently off of exhibit. The reptiles will not be back out until spring temperatures are more appropriate, as they are ectothermic and rely on external sources to regulate their internal temperatures. Guests may still get a chance to see Bobby or Fred throughout the winter when their keepers take them for adventures in the RAD building.

And last but certainly not least, our tallest and most recognizable zoo residents, Tatu and Murphy, have also moved inside for the winter. Guests will notice that the vestibule has been closed and visiting hours are currently unavailable for the giraffe boys. This is due in part to Murphy showing signs of a brief illness. As his keepers and veterinary staff continuously monitor him, we ask for patience and understanding while Murphy continues to recover from his illness. He is already feeling better and we look forward to welcoming guests back into the barn soon, particularly on December 17 — when Murphy turns 20 years old! This is a huge milestone as there are only 10 Masai giraffes who are older than him in all the AZA zoos combined!

Murphy has been continuously and vigilantly monitored by both keeper and veterinary staff due to urinary and age-related issues. Guest access to the vestibule will be subject to change throughout the winter based on what is deemed appropriate by both veterinary and keeper staff.

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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 and Twitter.

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), has officially announced that another scimitar-horned oryx calf has been born into the herd. LVHN is the Official Motherhood Partner of the LVZoo.

This marks the third addition to our oryx herd since the spring of 2020.

The new, yet-to-be-named calf is reported healthy and nursing from his mother, Donnar. This little one is a very large newborn so guests will have to look closely to see which one he is in the herd! Donnar has also remained healthy throughout the process and as an experienced mama took to motherhood again with ease.

Oryx calves typically stand within the first hour of birth, which the LVZoo’s newest addition demonstrated for his keepers. Already, he is adjusting well to the herd and keepers believe he is very smart as he has caught on quickly to herd tendencies. His favorite place to hang out is on a big soft pile of hay.

Since scimitar-horned oryx are considered extinct in the wild, this is a huge celebration for the LVZoo, which is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a participant in the Species Survival Plan for scimitar-horned oryx.

Oryx calves weigh an average of 22 pounds at birth and measure approximately 25 inches from the shoulder to the hoof, whereas human babies average seven-and-a-half pounds and approximately 19 inches from head to toe.

Additionally, oryx pregnancies last between eight to eight-and-a-half months and the young become fully independent at around the 14-week-old mark. Both male and female calves reach sexual maturity by two years old.

The newest resident of the LVZoo still needs a name. In partnership with LVHN, the LVZoo is hosting a naming poll on Facebook. The zookeepers will narrow down their list of possible names to four finalists. Fans will then decide the official name by voting for their favorite one on Facebook!

Anyone interested in helping further the care of the new calf – or any of the animals – during this critical time is encouraged to visit lvzoo.org/SustainOurMission.

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Lehigh Valley Health Network includes eight hospital campuses, three in Allentown, one in Bethlehem, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton and two in Pottsville, Pa.; Coordinated Health, which includes two hospital campuses, nearly two dozen multispecialty locations including ambulatory surgery centers and orthopedic injury centers in northeastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey; 26 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 22 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 Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley 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 the region’s only hospital nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for orthopedics and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top five hospitals for six consecutive years. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the region’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting www.LVHN.org/motherhood, or following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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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 @LVZOO.