Turtle Back Zoo construction continues, but so do critics

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ESSEX COUNTY, NJ – A $ 3.7 million expansion project at the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County continues to move forward, much to fans’ delight. But critics of the project are not giving up their efforts either.

County officials recently unveiled plans to upgrade the Red Panda and Clouded Leopard areas at the zoo’s Asia-themed exhibit. The work is being funded by grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust, as well as the Essex County Capital Budget.

The new exhibition is slated to open in the summer of 2022.

Several officials – including zoo staff – said the latest expansion was a victory for the animals and the community.

“The update of the Amazing Asia exhibit will help us meet the updated guidelines of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, improve animal care and provide better viewing areas for the public,” said Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Essex County Director.

“All of the animals in the exhibit are endangered,” zoo director Jillian Fazio said. “The new design will help us educate customers year round and set an example for zoos that handle these animals.”

DiVincenzo shared a preview of the progress via social media on Monday (the article continues below).

But there has also been a pushback against the project, as well as an overall expansion of the zoo, which has seen more than $ 100 million in upgrades since 2003.

Critics include members of the Coalition to Save South Mountain Reservation, located next to the zoo.

On Thursday, the advocacy group sent an email with a four-word subject line: “Here we go again.

“Construction is actively taking place at the Turtle Back Zoo,” the group wrote. “This will increase the waterproof surface coverage by 60%, which almost guarantees more flooding.”

The group continued:

“Essex County’s claim that this development is ‘within the current fence line’ is questionable. The county continues to push back the fence and eat away at the forest in the reserve. From an original 15-acre footprint, the zoo now covers 52 acres, some in wetlands. In recent years, over 100 million taxpayer dollars have been spent to expand and renovate the zoo and entertainment complex. Almost nothing has been spent to maintain Reserve. ”

“It is clear that the county has no intention of restricting development,” the group said.

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