JEFFERSON TWP. — The founder of a farm and zoo in North Pocono plans to add more educational opportunities as it opens to the public for the season for the first time as a nonprofit entity.
Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary will open to the public Saturday, depending on weather. Although it has been in operation since 2017, this will be the first year it will be open as a nonprofit. The Internal Revenue Service granted the farm and zoo the designation earlier this year.
Founder Lynn Closterman, a lifelong animal lover, started the farm and zoo in the township, with a small portion in Salem Twp., Wayne County, in July 2017 after she got divorced in 2016. She said it was initially a way for her to make money after the divorce while being with the animals she had. She acquired her first animals, which included a horse named Max that still resides at the farm and zoo, in 2004.
As the facility grew, adding more animals, Closterman, 54, who resides on site, increased the public hours and added educational programs and camps two years later. Closterman said the idea of becoming a nonprofit initially came to her when she began offering education. She said doing the educational programs also made her realize that there is not a lot of funding for schools to put on programs like the ones she does.
“I started doing the programs at schools here and there, nothing steady, and I found that I really liked it,” Closterman said in an interview at the farm and zoo Monday afternoon. “The best way for me to help animals is through education.”
A Bactrian camel named Sage prepares to lay down at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A zebra named Zippy looks out of the fence at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A red kangaroo named Skeeter rests while being pet by farm owner Lynn Closterman at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Zoo manager Leigh Ann Marhelski brushes a horse named Max while a camel named Mojo watches at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Farm owner Lynn Closterman and zoo manager Leigh Ann Marhelski talk about the farm near a kangaroo at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Farm owner Lynn Closterman pets a Backtrian camel named Sage at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Farm owner Lynn Closterman talks about the animals at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Farm owner Lynn Closterman opens up the gate to visit her red kangaroos at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Zoo manager Leigh Ann Marhelski brushes a camel named Mojo as the farm’s only horse Max looks on over her shoulder at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A male peacock named Azul spreads his wings at Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary in Lake Ariel Monday, May 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
She hopes to put on fundraisers for educational programs and field trips, particularly for schools or other entities that can’t afford them, and apply for grants. Closterman also hopes to add an animal therapy program, and add an Australian walkabout — an expansion of the area where the six red kangaroos are, with wallabies and emus being added later this year.
She is working on getting the zoo and farm accredited with the Zoological Association of America.
The farm and zoo has about 55 animals, all of which it took in or bought from licensed breeders. In addition to the kangaroos — the youngest of which make frequent appearances in the community — the animals include Arabian and Bactrian camels, zebras, zonkeys (a combination of a zebra and donkey), African crested porcupines, Patagonian maras, birds, donkeys, reptiles and insects.
The farm and zoo will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through mid-June, with educational programs and private tours in between. Admission is $15 and free to children 2 years and under. The four employees on site devote the rest of the year to educational programs and private tours.
Closterman said every aspect of the Safari Farm Petting Zoo and Sanctuary has an educational component, even when it’s open to the public. Doing this helps people understand and learn more about animals.
“We want people to embrace animals,” she said. “We want people to have hands-on experience. If they can’t touch it and interact, how do they care about it?”