Published April 24. 2026 11:06AM
Education Specialists from the Lehigh Valley Zoo took several of the zoo animals to the Phoebe Allentown Healthcare Center, 1925 W. Turner St., Allentown on April 17th.
This interactive program was a delightful way for the residents of Phoebe to meet several of the zoo’s animals.
Included were a ball python, leopard tortoise, and a pair of crevecoeur chickens, “Lola” and “Atilla the Hen.”
Each brought a variety of reactions to the residents, some with delight, others, not so much.
The chickens, native to France, they have some unique features for chickens.
According to the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s website, their beards are tri-lobbed, which means they’re split into two muffs and a beard. They also have unusual V combs, also called horn combs or devil’s combs.
The animal that brought the most response was of course the 20 year old ball python, named “Captain Jack.”
Ball pythons are native to central and western Africa.
Many residents did not want to get close to the python except for resident Jerry Greenberg who was delighted to meet “Captain Jack.”
PRESS PHOTOS BY LOU WHEELAND“Atilla the Hen,” a crevecoeur chicken native to France, entertains residents and staff during a visit to Phoebe Allentown by education specialists and animals from the Lehigh Valley Zoo April 17.
“Atilla the Hen,” a crevecoeur chicken, native to France, entertains residents and staff during a visit to Phoebe Allentown. Here education specialist Cassidy Amerman is teaching Miss “Hen” to come for treats.
Phoebe Allentown resident Jerry Greenberg is delighted to meet “Captain Jack,” a 20- year-old ball python, held by education specialist Julz Symons, during a visit by education specialists from the Lehigh Valley Zoo April 17PRESS PHOTO BY LOU WHEELAND
Lehigh Valley Zoo education specialist Julz Symons introduces “Captain Jack,” a 20-year-old ball python to residents of Phoebe Allentown during a visit April 17. Some residents were a bit squeamish about seeing a live snake.
Lehigh Valley Zoo education intern Makayla Hernandez holds “Javier,” a pancake tortoise for Phoebe Allentown resident Phyllis Milchenski to see. residents are not permitted to touch the animals.
“Lola,” a crevecoeur chicken, steps into the limelight during a visit to Phoebe Allentown by Lehigh Valley education specialists Makayla Hernandez, Julz Symons and Cassidy Amerman.
Lehigh Valley Zoo education intern Makayla Hernandez holds “Javier,” a pancake tortoise for Phoebe Allentown residents to view.
Lehigh Valley Zoo education specialist Julz Symons describes her and her colleagues functions at the zoo during a visit to Phoebe Allentown on April 17.
