The Lehigh Valley Zoo & Trexler-Lehigh Game Preserve is located in Schnecksville, Lehigh County. The zoo spans 29 acres and the nature preserve is comprised of an additional 1,100 acres. The preserve founder Harry Trexler began the preserve by purchasing neighboring farms with the primary purpose being the preservation & future well-being of herds of rapidly declining big game such as bison and elk. General Trexler bequeathed the preserve to Lehigh County in 1935. The game preserve operated as an informal petting zoo for 40 years.