Schnecksville, PA: The Lehigh Valley Zoo, part 3 of 4

Let's continue our visit by exploring the eastern end of the Lehigh Valley Zoo. 

Section VIII: The Lower East End

When you leave the area with all the African herbivores the path curves to the right and starts back up the hill.  On the right are a pair of habitats where I have actually seen the inhabitants in the past.  But on this visit it was a "no en casa" morning.  Neither the Bobcat nor the Canadian Lynx were visible.  Without any predictors to speak of at the zoo, these two pretty much have to represent for the lack of large cats.

Just past these two habitats the pathway splits.  The left fork continues east to a triple set of these boxy wooden habitats.  You can see if they're around, a Grey Fox, a Marten, and/or a North American Porcupine.  Today the Grey Fox was home, but sleeping inside for a little plastic "nest"-like hut with a roof.  You could see her, but you really could take a decent photo.  

The Trio of habitats: North American Porcupine, Grey Fox, and Marten

Just beyond this is a large paddock where the presence of Palomino Horses is advertised, is an empty field.  The sign on the fence says there are no horses today.  In 5 visits over the past 12 years, there has never been a horse in the field.  Walking back to the "Y" in the path, an area that had formerly hosted a lawn with a little garden in the middle was transformed!

Section IX: Rothrock!  Red Panda Peak

Opened just last year, the newest habitat at the Lehigh Zoo appears to have learned its lesson from Habitat Madagascar.  Beautiful naturalistic.  Generous exterior space smartly appointed with enhancement elements that don't look like someone just spilled a child's toy box.  Direct viewing via a pair of alcoves with Plexiglas to allow for unimpeded viewing and amazing photo ops.  The inaugural pair were cuddled up napping away the warm morning.  Clearly well acclimated.  

The new Red Panda habitat

Can you see them?

Red Panda

Ailurus fulgens

From the second viewing window.

Section X: Critically Endangered Wolves

The largest single habitat is on the eastern edge of the zoo and home to a small pack of Critically Endangered Mexican Wolves.  From past visits I know the best place to locate them is sleeping up in the trees along the top edge of the space.  Today, as fate would have it,  They decided to get up from their canine slumber and come down toward the viewing lodge.  I thought I'd counted 4 on a previous visit, but today there were just three.  Still, what magnificent creatures.  One more thing that makes the Lehigh Valley Zoo so special.

The entrance ramp to the viewing lodge.

The nearer end of the habitat from the viewing lodge window.  The actual space is about 8-10 times as wide.  The wolves have a lot of room to roam and lots of ways to be active and out of sight.  This, of course can be frustrating for the guests, but it's wonderful for the wolves.

Zooming in on two at the top of the far fence line.

Mexican Grey Wolf

Canis lupus baileyi

The last animals to see are found in a series of 6 aviaries which are home to a range of raptors, owls and vultures.  Though our formal visit to the zoo grounds are complete, there's still a little more to see.