Cape May County Zoo Welcomes Two Snow Leopards, Hopes for Future Cubs

Issue #850

October 25, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🦁Cape May County Zoo Welcomes Two Snow Leopards, Hopes for Future Cubs

🐰ྀིLove, Laughter and a Giant Invisible Rabbit Come to Gateway Playhouse in ‘Harvey’

 🐘Lucy the Elephant Gets a Historic Honor as Her Forgotten Cape May Sister Is Remembered

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: East Lynne Theater Company’s War of the Worlds The Panic Broadcast

War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast running through November 1

Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇

 October 25

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Cape May County Zoo Welcomes Two Snow Leopards, Hopes for Future Cubs

The Cape May County Park & Zoo has welcomed two new snow leopards, bringing fresh hope for future cubs and continuing the zoo’s longstanding commitment to protecting one of the world’s most elusive big cats.

Asha, a 1-year-old female from the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Valens, a 7-year-old male from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are adjusting to their new surroundings at the popular Cape May County attraction.

The two snow leopards have been recommended as a future breeding pair through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan. The nationwide conservation program coordinates breeding among accredited zoos to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of vulnerable animals.

With fewer than 10,000 snow leopards estimated to remain in the wild, the potential pairing could play an important role in preserving the species for future generations.

The arrival of Asha and Valens marks another chapter in the Cape May County Zoo’s successful snow leopard conservation efforts.

During the early 2010s, the zoo’s breeding pair, Vijay and Himani, produced seven cubs across multiple litters. Their success made them one of the most productive snow leopard pairs in captivity at the time, earning national recognition and contributing valuable genetic diversity to the Species Survival Plan.

The zoo continued its breeding efforts with Bataar, a male snow leopard who arrived in 2015 as the first occupant of a newly constructed snow leopard habitat. Bataar later fathered cubs with his mate, Tysa, before she was transferred to another facility as part of the coordinated breeding program.

Bataar and another snow leopard, Maliha, also became favorites among zoo visitors, frequently spotted relaxing and sunbathing together.

Following the loss of its longtime snow leopard residents, the zoo worked with conservation partners to welcome Asha and Valens as the next potential breeding pair.

Zoo guests may already catch a glimpse of Asha as she explores her new habitat. Temporary barriers have been installed to provide additional privacy and allow the young female time to become comfortable in her surroundings.

Valens, meanwhile, is adjusting to his new home in an area that is not yet accessible to visitors.

Animal care staff are closely monitoring both snow leopards as they settle in. Although the pair has been recommended for breeding, there is no announced timeline for their introduction or the possibility of future cubs.

The announcement coincided with International Snow Leopard Day on October 23, an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about the threats facing the species, including habitat loss, poaching and climate change.

Often called the ghosts of the mountains because of their elusive behavior and remarkable camouflage, snow leopards inhabit rugged mountain regions across Central and South Asia.

Cape May County officials say the arrival of Asha and Valens reinforces the zoo’s commitment to wildlife conservation and builds on decades of successful animal care and breeding.

For visitors, the new arrivals offer an opportunity to see one of the planet’s most remarkable big cats while learning about efforts to protect the species.

And if the zoo’s successful breeding history is any indication, Asha and Valens could one day help welcome a new generation of snow leopard cubs to Cape May County.

Love, Laughter and a Giant Invisible Rabbit Come to Gateway Playhouse in ‘Harvey’

A beloved comedy featuring an invisible six-foot rabbit is hopping onto the stage at Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point this November, bringing with it a heartwarming story of friendship, acceptance and a real-life romance that began more than four decades ago.

Gateway Playhouse will present three performances of Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy, Harvey, from November 6 through 8 as part of its Community Spotlight series.

The classic play follows Elwood P. Dowd, a kindhearted and eccentric man whose closest companion happens to be Harvey, an invisible white rabbit standing 6 feet, 3½ inches tall.

While Elwood sees nothing unusual about his friendship, those around him struggle to understand his unconventional outlook on life. The resulting misunderstandings create a humorous and touching story about kindness, individuality and accepting people for who they are.

The play became a Hollywood classic in 1950 when it was adapted into a film starring James Stewart, whose performance as Elwood earned him an Academy Award nomination.

The upcoming production marks the directorial debut of Franklinville resident Eric Williams, a familiar face to Gateway audiences.

Williams previously appeared in the theater’s productions of Into the Woods and Little Shop of Horrors, but this time he is trading the spotlight for the director’s chair.

He selected Harvey because of its combination of comedy and meaningful life lessons, particularly its message that people should not be judged simply because they see the world differently.

Williams believes the play's themes of compassion, understanding and celebrating individuality are especially relevant today.

Helping bring his vision to the stage is Assistant Director Janelle Hawkes of Sicklerville.

The production features a combination of returning Gateway performers and newcomers. Ian Brady takes on his first leading role as Elwood P. Dowd, while Jamia Boston portrays Nurse Kelly.

Other cast members include Hillary Poetsch as Myrtle Mae and her parents, Gary Poetsch and Andrea Zakheim, who portray Dr. Chumley and Betty Chumley.

For Gary Poetsch and Andrea Zakheim, this production of Harvey is much more than another opportunity to perform.

It represents a return to the play that brought them together more than four decades ago.

The couple first met during Atlantic City High School’s 1984 production of Harvey, when Zakheim played Mrs. Chauvenet and Poetsch portrayed Dr. Chumley.

Their relationship began during that high school production, eventually leading to marriage. The couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this summer.

Now, more than 40 years after their first production together, Poetsch is returning to the same role he played as a teenager.

Their romance even has a humorous behind-the-scenes origin.

At the time of the high school production, Poetsch was dating someone else. However, a friend encouraged Zakheim to pursue him anyway. That friend still takes credit for bringing the couple together.

The families have remained in contact with the longtime friend, and Poetsch and Zakheim have arranged for two tickets to be waiting for her at the box office so she can attend their latest performance.

Adding another special family connection, the couple's daughter, Hillary, will share the Gateway stage with her parents.

The production brings together three members of the same family in a play that helped begin the parents' love story.

Beyond its comedic moments and unusual central character, Harvey explores what it means to embrace differences rather than attempt to change people who don't fit conventional expectations.

For Williams, directing the production has offered an opportunity to experience theater from an entirely different perspective.

After years of working as an actor, he has enjoyed guiding the creative process and watching the production develop from his original vision.

He also credits Hawkes' backstage experience with helping make his first directing experience a rewarding one.

Williams hopes audiences leave the theater entertained by the play's lighthearted humor while also appreciating its message about compassion and individuality.

With its combination of classic comedy, local talent and a genuine love story connected to the production, Harvey promises a memorable weekend at Gateway Playhouse.

November 6 and 7 at 7 p.m.; November 8 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $15

Since reopening in 2017, the nonprofit Gateway Playhouse has offered affordable year-round entertainment, including theatrical productions, comedy, cabaret performances and educational opportunities for local students.

Lucy the Elephant Gets a Historic Honor as Her Forgotten Cape May Sister Is Remembered

At 145 years old, Lucy the Elephant has weathered coastal storms, changing neighborhoods and the threat of demolition. Now, the iconic Margate attraction has another reason to celebrate.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the New Jersey Historical Commission and RevolutionNJ unveiled a new state historical marker at Atlantic Avenue and Lucy Plaza, officially recognizing Lucy’s architectural significance, cultural legacy and lasting contribution to New Jersey history.

The dedication comes during a milestone year for the six-story elephant, marking both her 145th birthday and the 50th anniversary of her designation as a National Historic Landmark.

For the Save Lucy Committee, which has spent decades protecting the unusual structure, the recognition represents another important chapter in a remarkable preservation story.

Richard Helfant, executive director and CEO of the committee, expressed appreciation for the state's recognition, emphasizing Lucy's importance not only to Margate and the Jersey Shore but also to New Jersey and the nation.

Lucy’s story began in 1881, when developer James V. Lafferty constructed the enormous elephant-shaped building in what was then known as South Atlantic City.

Originally called the Elephant Bazaar, the structure was designed to attract attention and encourage prospective buyers to explore nearby real estate.

Standing approximately 65 feet tall, Lucy was built with a wooden framework covered in metal. Her unusual design included interior rooms and an elevated viewing area, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding coastline.

What began as an imaginative marketing strategy gradually became one of the most recognizable attractions along the Jersey Shore.

Over the decades, Lucy welcomed countless families, vacationers and curious travelers, becoming a cherished part of South Jersey childhood memories.

But her future was not always secure.

By the late 1960s, years of deterioration had left Lucy in danger of being demolished.

Determined to preserve the landmark, residents formed the Save Lucy Committee in 1969 under the leadership of Edwin T. Carpenter.

Their efforts led to one of the most unusual moving projects in Jersey Shore history.

On July 20, 1970, the approximately 90-ton elephant was carefully lifted onto a trailer and transported about 100 yards along Atlantic Avenue to her current location near Decatur Avenue.

The move marked the beginning of an extensive preservation effort that helped secure Lucy’s future. In 1976, she received National Historic Landmark status, establishing her place among the country's most significant historic structures.

Lucy has also undergone several restoration projects, including a major $2.4 million renovation that preceded her reopening in December 2022.

One of the lesser-known chapters in Lucy's history involves another giant elephant that once stood along the South Jersey coastline.

In 1884, Lafferty built a second elephant-shaped attraction known as the Light of Asia in South Cape May. The approximately 40-foot-tall structure was intended to promote development in the area, much like Lucy.

Unlike her Margate counterpart, the Light of Asia did not survive. After struggling commercially, the structure was demolished in 1900, just 16 years after its construction. The former South Cape May area has since undergone dramatic changes, with portions of the coastline now protected as a nature preserve.

Lucy’s survival makes her an especially rare example of the imaginative roadside architecture that emerged during the late 19th century. The newly installed state marker adds to Lucy’s growing list of distinctions.

In addition to her National Historic Landmark designation, Lucy has been voted the nation's top roadside attraction by USA Today readers for two consecutive years.

Jason Tell, president of the Lucy the Elephant Board of Trustees, welcomed the state recognition and acknowledged the collaboration between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the Save Lucy Committee.

For visitors, the new marker provides another opportunity to learn about Lucy’s remarkable history, from her beginnings as a real estate promotion to her rescue by a determined community.

Today, guests can tour the elephant's interior, discover how she was constructed and enjoy elevated views of Margate and the surrounding Jersey Shore.

More than a century after she first appeared along the coastline, Lucy continues to represent the creativity, resilience and community pride that have shaped South Jersey.

And while much of the Shore has changed around her, the enormous elephant remains a familiar reminder that some landmarks are simply too special to lose.

 Answer to the October 24th Trivia Question 

What major industry, besides tourism, has historically been associated with the waters around Cape May?

A) Entertainment B) Commercial Fishing C) Birdwatching D) Textile

Answer: Commercial Fishing

The Port of Cape May/Wildwood is New Jersey's largest commercial fishing port and the second-largest industry in Cape May County, generating tens to hundreds of millions in local economic impact.

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