05 Sep ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR NEW LEMUR EXHIBIT AT ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO Former Sea Lion Sound will be Transformed into a Jungle Habitat
Published on September 5, 2025
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced on Friday, September 5th that work has started to repurpose the former Sea Lion Sound Exhibit into an island habitat for Lemurs at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. The new exhibit will continue Essex County’s commitment to working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to advance their Species Survival Program and providing our community with an opportunity to learn about animals and their habitats.
“While we were disappointed to close the Sea Lion Sound, we do believe the Lemurs will become the new dynamic centerpiece at Turtle Back Zoo and are sure to captivate our visitors’ attention,” DiVincenzo said. “We’ve made Turtle Back Zoo into a place where children and people of all ages can see animals from around the world. This exhibit will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the uniqueness of lemurs and the pressures being made on their habitats and survival,” he added.
“This is a true testament to Joe D., who is a leader who has vision and the ability to execute his ideas. Turtle Back Zoo is a crown jewel of Esse County, and this will be a great addition,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said. “Joe’s leadership is second to none, and this project is another example that what we are doing will enhance quality of life and promote economic development,” Commissioner Len Luciano said.
“As an AZA accredited zoo, preserving the biodiversity of our natural world is one of our primary missions. This new habitat will provide an opportunity to highlight partnerships we have created over the past several years to support efforts to save these species and prevent their extinction in the wild. We hope to connect, educate and inspire our guests to join us in these efforts to conserve some of the most precious species on the planet,” Jillian Fazio, Director of Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, said.
“I am happy to see the County’s continued investment in Turtle Back Zoo. This will showcase our commitment to wild species around the globe and to our promoting conservation locally,” Zoological Society Executive Director Adam Kerins said.
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.
The existing pool will be transformed with rockwork and landscaping to resemble the rocky beach to forest landscape where lemurs are naturally found. A mesh enclosure will cover the exhibit and interior animal holding areas will be adapted for the exhibit’s new residents. Viewing areas for the public will be expanded.
After working closely with the AZA Species Survival Program, TBZ successfully transported its single remaining sea lion to another AZA facility last summer. With ever increasing standards and guidelines for animal welfare of marine mammals, it was determined the existing sea lion habitat was no longer adequate to meet the needs of this species. This was a difficult decision to make, but as an AZA facility Turtle Back has an extensive network of experts and other zoos and aquariums to help ensure we are providing the best care for all animals. We feel strongly that we must exceed the needs of each species in our care, so each individual animal can live their best life. The renovation will meet this goal for several lemur and tortoise species and allow us to support multiple AZA SSP’s in our collaborative breeding efforts to maintain population sustainability. The existing touch tank with sharks and sting rays will remain.
French and Parrello from Wall received a professional services contract for $199,500 to design the new exhibit. AB Contracting from Wharton was awarded a publicly bid contract for $3,707,974 to perform the construction. The Essex County Department of Public Works will monitor the project to ensure delays are avoided. The project is being funded with $1 million from the Essex County Capital Budget and a $2.7 million grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board.
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.