Architectural rendering of Habitat MadagascarCourtesy of Lehigh Valley Zoo

The Lehigh Valley Zoo’s latest exhibit will be called Habitat Madagascar.

Lehigh Valley Zoo broke ground on plans to build a new habitat for its mongoose lemur and tortoise populations on Thursday. The habitat is situated between the Australia and Africa areas of the zoo. Construction is expected to be completed by fall.

“The Lehigh Valley Zoo is excited to be breaking ground on our first new exhibit in five years,” Amanda Shurr, president and CEO said. “This is the first of many projects we have planned that will directly impact both our current animal residents and future species for our Zoo.”

The new exhibit will feature outdoor and indoor spaces for the animals to make use of.

The 1,600-square-foot structure being built will provide behind-the-scenes living quarters for the animals when they are off-exhibit, as well as climate-controlled housing.

The animals will be able to spend time in their almost 300-square-foot outdoor habitat during the warmer months.

“We are committed to building the best new habitats, as well as updating our existing exhibits, to provide the best welfare for the animals under our care,” Shurr said.

Jerdon Construction and exhibit architect Spillman Farmer Architects are working with Lehigh Valley Zoo to create the new exhibit.

The indoor lobby will also be used for small gatherings or events to generate revenue that will ensure the sustainability of this exhibit well into the future, the zoo said in a statement.

Two Lehigh Valley Zoo residents, male and female mongoose lemur pair Abby and Mico, will get first dibs on the new real estate. The indoor exhibit space will provide a safe breeding environment for the lemurs.

African Leopard Tortoises are also expected to occupy the space. In the past, the tortoises were shuttled around to different habitats throughout the year based on environmental needs. The new habitat will become their permanent home, the zoo said.

Habitat Madagascar is also part of a multiple-species environment program proposed by the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s accredited body, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The goal is to develop mixed species habitats that will allow the public to see species living together similar to the way they would live in the wild.

Future plans include the addition of more Lemur species, as well as other small primates. Mongoose Lemurs are considered critically endangered.

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Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or at glenn_epps_ on Twitter .

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