County Open House Draws 4,000 at Turtle Back Zoo

The 11th annual event at the West Orange zoo on May 11.

Nearly 4,000 people attended the 11th Annual Essex County Open House at the Turtle Back Zoo on May 11, County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced. The family-friendly event combined games and activities to entertain participants as well as provide information to make the public aware of programs and services the county provides. The event featured carnival games, a drum demonstration, karaoke, prize wheels and trivia tests and involved every Essex County department, division and office, including county-related agencies and authorities. Each group shared information on their functions and featured directors and employees in attendance to answer questions.

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Baby Stingrays Arrive at Turtle Back, Zoo Looks for Name Suggestions

The newest bundles of animal joy were born at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange and the zoo is inviting its Facebook fans to suggest names on its Facebook page, where the new name will be announced next week.

Christie Declares Turtle Back "Best Zoo in State"

Governor Chris Christie joined dignitaries to open Sea Lion Sound Exhibit

  Governor Chris Christie and daughter Bridget officially opened the newest exhibit at the Turtle Back Zoo. Calling it "the best zoo in the state," and crediting Essex County Executive Joseph Di Vincenzo for the improvements, Chrisite cut the ribbon on the new Sea Lion Sound Exhibit.  The large crowd included zoo visitors, numerous county and state officials, and zoo employees and volunteers. This new natural habitat-themed display is the largest exhibit developed in Turtle Back’s history, and features an 82,000-gallon pool for sea lions and a 1,600-gallon touch tank for sting rays, along with space for education programs and special events.  The Turtle Back Zoo marks its fiftieth anniversary in 2013, noted DiVincenzo, whom Christie called…

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Christie, DiVincenzo Hosting Turtle Back Zoo Sea Lion Exhibit

Wednesday's grand opening of largest development in zoo history features governor, county executive.

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will join forces on Wednesday, April 10 at 11 a.m. for the grand opening of the Sea Lion Sound Exhibit in Essex County Turtle Back in West Orange, officials said Monday. The new natural habitat-themed display is the largest exhibit developed in zoo history and features an 82,000-gallon pool for sea lions and a 1,600-gallon touch tank for sting rays, county officials said in a release. The sea lion space will also allow for educational programs and special events, officials announced. In addition, for the first time in more than 20 years, the zoo will feature the return of the sea lions. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the zoo. The program will held …

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Zoo Has Pair of Snow Leopards for First Time

Nine-month-old snow leopard joins Gala at the Turtle Back Zoo.

Chameli, a nine-month-old snow leopard, made her Turtle Back Zoo debut on Valentine’s Day. The energetic animal explored her enclosure and showed her climbing skills off to the crowd awaiting her arrival Thursday morning. The snow leopard was transferred from the Cape May Zoo on a breeding loan as part of a  recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums species survival plan  two months ago. This is the first time in the zoo’s history to have a pair of snow leopards on site.  For now, Chameli and Gala, the zoo’s resident snow leopard, will rotate hours in the zoo’s Amazing Asia exhibit, but  there is a bright future ahead for these majestic animals. Once Chameli is large enough, the snow leopards will be on exhibit together, …

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Investors Bank Partners with Essex County for New Zoo Playground

Investors Bank donated $250,000 to the Turtle Back Zoo

It is a very happy holiday for the Turtle Back Zoo's mascot. The beloved turtle was on hand Friday to accept a $250,000 check from Investors Bank.  The donation, said Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, will fund a new state-of-the-art children's play area on the grounds of the zoo.  The playground, which will be completed in 2013, will be named for Investors Bank. "I extend my sincere thanks to Investors Bank and the Investors Foundation for their generous support of the Turtle Bank Zoo," said DiVincenzo, accepting the donation. Investors Bank President and CEO Kevin Cummings said that the donation is in keeping with Investors' core values. "The Turtle Back Zoo is a crown jewel of Essex County, which is home to our headquarters and …

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Holiday Lights Spectacular Returns to Turtle Back Zoo (Photos)

Admission is free to this family-friendly annual event.

The annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular has returned to the Turtle Back Zoo for a sixth year. The exhibit features 50 animal and holiday-themed figures including bears, tigers and elephants illuminated by over 100,000 lights, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes, according to a release from the office of Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.  “Turtle Back Zoo will be turned into a Winter Wonderland, with extraordinary seasonal lighting exhibits and costumed characters," DiVincenzo said in a press release. "Stroll the landscaped paths of our zoo and admire the illuminated images of everything from toy soldiers to penguins." The exhibit is open every day except …

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Codey Arena Open as Relief Center During Hurricane Sandy

West Orange facility open to residents, pets beginning Sunday 7 p.m.

Essex County Codey Arena in West Orange will open as a relief center beginning Sunday 7 p.m. for residents during Hurricane Sandy, county officials announced. Essex County and the American Red Cross will provide bedding and water those who lose power or need to reach a safe place during the storm, expected to make landfall in New Jersey late Monday. Accommodations for pets will be provided at Codey Arena. All activities at the arena have been canceled and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo will be closed on Monday and Tuesday of next week. The Essex County Parks System will close park roadways beginning Sunday at 7 p.m. as a precautionary measure to protect motorists and pedestrians from fallen trees. "Weather forecasters are predicting that New…

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County Zoo Celebrates Komodo Dragon Today

The Turtle Back Zoo and Medieval Times join together today to celebrate the zoo's Komodo Dragon.

Turtle Back Zoo is celebrating the introduction of their prized new Komodo dragon Saturday with a day of dragon-themed shows from Medieval Times, geared towards the whole family. The Lyndhurst-based troupe promises plenty of sword fighting and chivalry while they search for dragons as part of their show in one of the zoo’s fields. They will perform at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. and will give away free tickets to Medieval Times during each show. All for regular admission to the zoo. This is the second event of many the zoo will have to mark the unveiling of their new giant endangered lizard. As Turtle Back Zoo Director Dr. Jeremy Goodman said, the events this July and over the next several months are the culmination of many years of …

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Rocking At the Turtle Back Zoo

Tycoon Dog performs this Saturday

If you’re looking to enjoy the weekend outside with some rock music for everyone, head down to the Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., for a good Saturday afternoon with Tycoon Dog. “We’ve been doing free outdoor shows for kids and families so people could come out and celebrate in beautiful scenery,” Scott Bailey, singer and guitarist of the band, said. “It’s a cool thing to do with out time and money.” The band will perform in the amphitheater, in front of the reptile house near the main entrance, in the zoo from 1 to 4 p.m. The concert is free with admissions and for people of all ages. Bailey described the sound of the band as, “If you took Eagles, Bob Marley, Tom Petty and Dave Matthews and threw them in a blender.” The band, which …

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