Visitors to Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, will see new residents with the addition of two Masai giraffes, expected to arrive in August.

Zoo guests will be able to get close and personal with the giraffes through feeding stations built into an elevated platform.

“We are so very excited to announce our efforts in bringing these Masai giraffes to Lehigh Valley Zoo, marking one of the biggest expansion efforts the zoo has undertaken thus far,” said Melissa Borland, president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Zoo. “The Association of Zoos and Aquariums have already chosen two young male giraffes coming from a zoo in Kansas City.

“However, the Zoo’s ultimate success will come from the efforts of the community to embrace and support Lehigh Valley Zoo during this historical moment.”

The 2016 Capital Campaign invites the Lehigh Valley and zoo lovers to participate in this landmark initiative.

There are many ways to get involved, including:

•Adopt a Giraffe: When you adopt a plush giraffe you receive a certificate of adoption, photograph of the animal and two child passes to the zoo.

•Jeans for Giraffes: Local businesses can help bring giraffes to the zoo by promoting the new conservation pin for dress down days. Employees pay a small fee for each day they wear the pin, which allows them to wear jeans to work. The company that raises the most money will receive a private giraffe feeding.

•Jingle for Giraffes: Participants will get a collection jar to raise money throughout their respective communities. The individual and organization who raises the most will receive a private giraffe feeding.

•Capital Campaign Donations: Money can be donated directly to Lehigh Valley Zoo and earmarked solely for this campaign.

This capital campaign has already received a major push from an anonymous donor who has committed to a matching donation program.

The goal is to introduce the two Masai giraffes to Lehigh Valley Zoo members in August.

The Masai giraffe is the largest subspecies of giraffe and the tallest land mammal.

There are fewer than 37,000 remaining in the wild, though recent reports of significant poaching and the bush meat trade would suggest the number is likely to be significantly less.

The primary threat to the Masai giraffe is habitat loss as a result of the expanding human population.

The zoo’s aim is to safeguard a population of giraffes in human care alongside a sustainable population in the wild.

Work is already under way on the new exhibit, as architectural and engineering firms are already laying out plans for this new space at Zoo.

To help with the campaign visit lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171.