A Bald Eagle Now Calls Hershey's ZooAmerica Wildlife Park Home

By Rachel Dinbokowitz 

Hershey, PA - ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park has added new additions to three of its five geographic regions this July, including a young bald eagle, two snowy owls, two beaded lizards and numerous crabs.

ZooAmerica acquired a female bald eagle from Juniata County in Pennsylvania, about 60 miles away from Hershey,where she was found with a wing injury. The country’s national bird and symbol of the United States, the bald eagle is one of the largest raptors found in North America. Once on the endangered species list, this bird of prey remains federally protected. The bird, which will be named at the Zoo's member event in August, is living in the Northlands section of ZooAmerica.

“We are very excited to have added a bald eagle to our collection at ZooAmerica, especially since we’re a North American-themed zoo,” said general curator Dale Snyder. “To have our national emblem here is special for us, and it’s an impressive bird to feature.”

Also finding a new home in the Northlands section are two new snowy owls. Mikk, a 1-year-old owl from Estonia in northern Europe, and Saskia, a 1-year-old owl from the Netherlands, have joined the Zoo’s resident snowy owl, Hoover, in his exhibit. Snowy owls can be found in Northern Asia, Europe and North America. The species has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity thanks to the Harry Potter book and movie series.

Beaded lizards are a new species to ZooAmerica and can be found in The Great Southwest region. They are one of only two venomous lizards found in the United States. (The other venomous lizard is the gila monster, which also can be seen in The Great Southwest region.) Eros, named for the god of love because of the heart shape on his back, and Samson are 2-year-old brothers that came from the San Antonio Zoo. Found in tropical dry forests, the lizards can grow to be as large as three feet long and weigh up to six pounds.

In the Southern Swamps region, guests can see a variety of crabs. This new coastal estuary exhibit features 50 fiddler crabs, three long-claw hermit crabs and a few snails in a habitat that mimics their native coastlines, complete with driftwood and coastal plants. Every four minutes, the water even experiences a simulated wave.

ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is an 11-acre, year-round, walk-through zoo that is home to more than 200 animals representing more than 60 North American species. Open daily, ZooAmerica is one of only eight zoos in Pennsylvania accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and prides itself on following its mission of conservation. Admission to ZooAmerica is free with paid admission to Hersheypark.

For more information about ZooAmerica and all its new additions, visit www.ZooAmerica.com or call 717-534-3900.