15 Oct ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO DONATION TO SUPPORT LEMUR CONSERVATION NETWORK
Published on October 15, 2026
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that the Lemur Habitat that opened in Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in July already is making a global impact by awarding the Lemur Conservation Network with two grants to promote conservation education in Madagascar. The grants support educational materials, World Lemur Festival activities and a six-month teacher training program near Anja Community Reserve.
“My goal always has been to make Essex County Turtle Back Zoo a destination for recreation and education – a place where children can gain an appreciation for nature and animals, learn about the importance of conservation and become our next generation of environmental stewards. There has been a great deal of excitement about our new Lemur Habitat and I am glad we are able to contribute to global initiatives to protect Lemurs,” DiVincenzo said.
“Essex County Turtle Back Zoo ensures that species we represent at the zoo are also being conserved in the wild. We collaborate with zoos and other partners all over the world, to play a vital role in global conservation and species preservation initiatives. We seek to provide education and connection for our guests that will promote stewardship of the biodiversity of our planet. This is just one example of our international reach and the impact our guests support when they visit the Turtle Back Zoo or become a member of our Zoological Society of NJ,” Turtle Back Zoo Director Dr. Jilian Fazio said.
The Lemur Exhibit features three species of lemurs: ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs and brown collared lemurs. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers lemurs as the world’s most endangered mammals. Found only on the island of Madagascar, there are over 100 different species that have evolved to fit every habitat and niche. Similar to primates, most lemurs are small, with a pointed snout, large eyes and a long tail, and eat primarily fruit and leaves. Primary threats to lemurs include habitat destruction and hunting; it is estimated that up to 90 percent of all lemur species will face extinction in the wild within the next 20 to 25 years.
Another species in the exhibit are Aldabra tortoises, also known as giant tortoises. These are one of the largest species of tortoises in the world. The main population of the Aldabra tortoise inhabits the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.
Funds were raised through the Turtle Back Biodiversity Fund https://zoologicalsocietyofnj.org/biodiversity/ through partnership with the Zoological Society of New Jersey. The grants totaled $10,900.
The Lemur Conservation Network consists of over 60 conservation organizations working in Madagascar and supports lemur conservation worldwide by creating shared educational resources and empowering conservationists with grants and professional development.
Turtle Back Zoo is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for senior citizens over 62 and children ages 2 to 12, and free for children under 2. For more information, visit www.essexcountynj.org/turtlebackzoo or call 973-731-5800.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has roared back to life from the verge of closure by a previous administration. An all-time attendance record of 979,056 was set in 2023 and the zoo has operated as a self-sustaining facility with revenue collected exceeding operating expenses. In addition, Turtle Back is accredited by American Humane and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a clear indication that an institution is committed to the highest standards in animal care, ethics, conservation and education. It also has been named the Best Zoo in New Jersey by NJ Monthly magazine four times and received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.com three times.
Revitalizing Essex County Turtle Back Zoo
Since taking office in 2003, DiVincenzo has spearheaded over $100 million in upgrades to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, which have included creating a new Barry Ostrowsky Animal Welfare Building, Island Giants Exhibit featuring alligators and Komodo dragons, Amazing Asia exhibit featuring Red Pandas and Clouded Leopards, updating the Turtle Back Junction Train Station to enhance public access; developing the African Adventure with four Masai giraffes, lions and hyenas, and South African Penguins; the Drill Family Flamingo Exhibit; Leopard Exhibit; a new Educational Building; the Carousel with 33 figures of endangered animals; the Big Cat Country Exhibit with jaguars and cougars; Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve with white cheeked gibbons apes, Reeves muntjac and white naped cranes; Australian Exhibit that features kangaroos, wallabies, emus and over 500 birds in the Aviary; Reptile and Education Center, open air dining pavilion and playground, Penguin Exhibit, Otter Exhibit, Wolf Exhibit, North American Animal Exhibit, Black Bear Exhibit, Animal Hospital, Essex Farm Petting Zoo and South American Animal Exhibit; renovating the Food Pavilion for year-round use and making upgrades to the entrance as well as fencing and infrastructure to meet AZA requirements. Funding has been provided through Green Acres grants, existing capital improvement bonds, or donations from the Zoological Society, Essex County Parks Foundation, corporations or private foundations. Corporations that have provided support include Investors Bank, Prudential Financial, Inc., PNC Bank, PSE&G, Verizon, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Coca Cola, Capital One Bank, TD Bank, Aramark, Covanta Energy, Matrix Development Group, the family of Ronald Mount and OxyMagic carpet cleaning.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, six off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Turtle Back Zoo is located in Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation and was opened to the public in 1963.
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