Smart fun is to be found this fall at the Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, Lowhill and North Whitehall townships, Lehigh County.

There is an event or exhibit for every member of the family to enjoy nearly year-round.

The 29-acre zoo, located inside the 1,100-acre Trexler Nature Preserve, offers a safe and engaging wildlife experience for all ages who can get up close and personal with animals from around the world.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is home to approximately 300 animals representing 104 species, 36 of which are classified as endangered, threatened, or species of concern.

The Lehigh Valley Zoological Society was founded 11 years ago, but the Trexler Game Preserve was founded in 1906 by General Harry C. Trexler, industrialist, philanthropist and community leader.

Trexler played a significant role in saving the North American bison from extinction by providing a place where bison and elk could roam freely undisturbed.

In 1935, Lehigh County took ownership of the Preserve. In 1974, construction began on the Preserve’s 29-acre Zoo. In 2004, the Lehigh Valley Zoological Society assumed management of the Zoo and daily management of the bison and elk herd and the palominos on the Preserve.

The giraffes arrived in 2016. The Lehigh Valley Zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in March 2006.

Attendance at Lehigh Valley Zoo grew from 63,000 visitors in 2005 to more than 135,000 visitors in 2014. More than 35,000 students participated in the Zoo’s education programs.

“We have a whole bunch of different events this fall,” says Julai Bieski, Lehigh Valley Zoo Event and Volunteer Manager.

“There is so much excitement. Of course, we also have our penguin, otter, and giraffe feedings every day.

“The animals are definitely more active in the fall, because it is not so hot. It’s a perfect time of year to visit the Zoo.”

Lehigh Valley Zoo has numerous educational programs, including:

Adventures in Education: With a focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in conjunction with conservation, the Zoo’s Education Department provides resources for school and home-school educators. Programs meet Common Core Standards, Pennsylvania Assessment Anchors and Eligible Content Pre-K through 12th grade.

After-School Adventures: Topics include “Penguins,” “Habitats,” “Wildlife and Wellness,” and “Conservation and You.”

Animal Encounters: Interactive private programs can be scheduled with certain animals in the Zoo and an educator or keeper at the Zoo. The program is offered year-round by reservation.

Citizen Science Program: Team up with Lehigh Valley Zoo and Frogwatch USA to help frogs found in your own backyard. Record data for a nationwide frog study. The volunteer program teaches participants to identify local frog and toad species.

Explore And Snore: The adventure begins at 6 p.m. and allows you to sleep at the Zoo and explore until 9 a.m. the following morning. Activities include a late-night tour of the Zoo, an animal presentation, evening snack, flashlight hike, and continental breakfast. The program is offered any night of the week year-round and is ideal for clubs, organizations, and Scout groups.

Green Connections Family Nature Club: A fun mix of social club, play date and outdoor adventure encourages family time through nature play, family challenges, outdoor lessons and physical activities.

Also available are School Holiday Programs, Girl Scout, Cub Scout and Boy Scout Programs, and Summer Camps.

Zoo Reach presenters attend corporate events, school assemblies, club luncheons, adult lectures, Scout award or program events, fairs and festivals, assisted-living centers, weddings, and private parties.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is available to rent for events, birthday parties, company picnics and weddings.

A membership to Lehigh Valley Zoo provides a year-long pass to unlimited Zoo daytime admission, and discounts.

Hours of operation at Lehigh Valley Zoo are 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. until Oct. 31 when the hours change to 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

“We have many animal feedings during those hours,” says Bieski. “We have two penguin feedings per day, at 11 and 3, otter feedings at 12:30, and two giraffe feedings at 11:30 and 2.”

Bieski is proud of the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s collection of animals and the opportunity the facility has to educate the public about animal conservation.

“We encourage you to come visit, take photos and do some animal feeding,” she says. “Giraffe, penguin and otter feedings are huge crowd favorites.

“There are so many great events at the Lehigh Valley Zoo this fall. We are looking forward to a jam-packed season,” Bieski says.

Upcoming events include:

“Scarecrow & Pumpkin Festival,” Sept. 29

“International Raccoon Appreciation Day,” Sept. 30: International Raccoon Appreciation Day is Oct. 1. Stop by the Lehigh Valley Zoo Sept. 30 to get the celebration started a day early. The Zoo will celebrate its resident raccoons with interactive keeper talks and feedings throughout the day. Be sure to check out “Lorikeet Landing” for a chance to hand-feed birds a cup of tropical flower nectar. Get your giraffe-feeding tickets upon arrival for a chance to hand-feed the Zoo’s two Masai giraffes.

“Farm Fest Weekend,” Oct. 6 and 7: Local vendors, lawn games, and all-day tours inside the barnyard exhibit are featured. Get activity tokens to hand-feed sheep, llama and alpacas. There will be music noon-2 p.m. by DJ Ray from Fling-A-Things. Also: try your hand at cow-milking at the “Milking Simulation Station” and interactive tours inside the Goat, Lorikeet and Kangaroo exhibits.

Ottertoberfest, Oct. 13: Grab your lederhosen and enjoy gourmet food and craft vendors, crafts and activities for children, and German music by the Happy Dutchman German Band, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Interactive exhibits include “Kangaroo Walkabout,” “Lorikeet Landing” and “Goat Experience.”

“Conservation Celebration,” Oct. 13: The gala fund-raiser features animal encounters, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and silent and live auctions. To reserve your table, call Doreen Carl, Lehigh Valley Zoo Vice President of Fiscal Development: 610-799-4171, ext. 232, or email: dcarl@lvzoo.org.

“Bean-Nanza (International Sloth Day,” Oct. 14: From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Lehigh Valley Zoo’s resident Sloth, Bean, will be on exhibit in the Exercise Yard for a “Meet and Greet.” This slow-mover is a crowd-pleaser. Bring your phone cams for a “Slothie Selfie. Conservation educators will be on-site to answer questions about Bean. To book a private encounter with Bean, go to the Zoo’s Animal Encounters page or email Hannah Beville: hbeville@lvzoo.org

“Boo At The Zoo,” Oct. 20, 21, 27, 28: Get your costume ready for one of four event dates. There will be trick or treating throughout the zoo, with candy-treat stations, craft-activity tables, vendors, and music noon-2 p.m. each day by DJ Ray from Fling-A-Things. There will be spooky animal mingles, tours inside “Lorikeet Landing” and “Kangaroo Exhibit” and the opportunity to hand-feed lettuce to a giraffe.

Lehigh Valley Zoo, 5150 Game Preserve Road, Schnecksville; lvzoo.org; 610-799-4171