07 Jul ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO OPENS NEW LEMUR EXHIBIT AT ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO Former Sea Lion Sound Transformed into a Jungle Habitat
Published on July 7, 2026
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. opened a new Lemur Exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange on Tuesday, July 7th. The Lemur Exhibit replaces the Sea Lion Sound, which was repurposed and reimagined from a large pool into a jungle habitat. The new exhibit continues 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.
“Turtle Back Zoo has become a destination where visitors are able to see animals from around the world. Bringing lemurs to our backyard is an opportunity to raise awareness among our visitors about their vulnerability and gain an appreciation for their uniqueness,” DiVincenzo said.
“I am proud to partner with the County Executive on projects like these. This new exhibit goes hand in hand with what we are doing here to make Turtle Back Zoo a first-class educational facility,” Commissioner Len Luciano said.
“Seeing projects like these come to completion is about helping families make memories and creating educational opportunities for children outside of the classroom. The best sound to hear are the people behind us enjoying what they are experiencing,” Commissioner Brendan Gill said.
“I am excited about this exhibit because it is the first conservation-focused exhibit that we have in the zoo. This is important because lemurs are one of the most endangered species on the planet,” Turtle Back Zoo Director Dr. Jilian Fazio said.
The 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 the largest species of tortoises in the world. The main population of the Aldabra tortoises is on the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean off the east cost of Africa.
The existing pool for sea lions was transformed with rockwork and landscaping to resemble the rocky beach to forest landscape where lemurs are naturally found. A mesh enclosure covers the exhibit and interior animal holding areas were adapted for the exhibit’s new residents. Viewing areas for the public have been expanded. The indoor 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 monitored the project to ensure delays were avoided. The project was 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.
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