Lehigh Valley Zoo
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name = Lehigh Valley Zoo
|logo =
|logo_caption =
|image = Lehigh Valley Zoo entrance gate 02.JPG
|image_caption = Entrance to the Lehigh Valley Zoo in June 2013
|location = Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|date_closed =
|coordinates = {{coord|40.658251|-75.625956|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|largest_tank_vol =
|total_tank_vol =
|annual_visitors = 100,000 + 30,000 students (2011)
|members = AZA
|exhibits =
|website = {{URL|https://www.lvzoo.org/}}
}}
The Lehigh Valley Zoo is a {{convert|29|acre|1|adj=on}} zoo located in Schnecksville in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. It is located inside the {{convert|1100|acre|0|adj=on}} Trexler Nature Preserve. The zoo is open year round.
Lehigh Valley Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since March 2006.
History
File:CHRISTMASTIME AT THE ZOO NEAR SCHNECKSVILLE LEHIGH COUNTY.jpg in December 2020]]
In 1906, Harry Clay Trexler started purchasing farms in Lowhill and North Whitehall townships to create a preserve to help protect bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. He purchased a total of 36 farms comprising {{convert|1108|acre|0}} before he died, and then bequeathed the land to Lehigh County. In 1935, the area officially became the Trexler-Lehigh County Game Preserve.
Construction on the children's zoo in the park began in 1974. When it opened, the zoo included petting and feeding exhibits and exotic animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia.
In 2004, with the original purpose of saving native species accomplished, the county opened the entire preserve to the public. At the same time, the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society took over management of the zoo within the park.
Conservation
In 2009, the zoo was participating in three Species Survival Plans (SSP): African penguin, mongoose lemur, and scimitar-horned oryx.
Gallery
File:Lehigh Valley Zoo 01.JPG
File:Lehigh Valley Zoo 10.JPG
File:Lehigh Valley Zoo 03.JPG
File:Grant's Zebra at Lehigh Valley Zoo.JPG|Grant's zebra
File:Mexican Gray Wolves in Lehigh Valley Zoo.JPG|Mexican wolf
File:American bison at Lehigh Valley Zoo 01.JPG|American bison
Notes
{{reflist |refs=
{{cite web |url=http://trexlernaturepreserve.org/index.php?page=1935---present |title=History - 1935 - Present |work=trexlernaturepreserve.org |publisher=Trexler Nature Preserve |accessdate=8 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728125311/http://trexlernaturepreserve.org/index.php?page=1935---present |archive-date=28 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}
}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website|https://www.lvzoo.org/}}
- {{Facebook}}{{Instagram}}{{Twitter}}
{{Lehigh Valley}}
{{Zoos of Pennsylvania}}
{{authority control}}
Category:1974 establishments in Pennsylvania
Category:Buildings and structures in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Category:Tourist attractions in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania