21 Aug ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO REOPENS TAM-RING GIBBONS EXHIBIT AT ESSEX COUNTY TURTLE BACK ZOO AFTER COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION
Published on August 21, 2026
West Orange, NJ – Essex County Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced the reopening of the Tam-Ring Gibbons Exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange on Friday, August 21st. The exhibit, which originally opened in 2009, received a comprehensive facelift to its interior and exterior exhibit areas and new netting enclosure. The improvements are part of the County Executive’s ongoing initiative to revitalize Turtle Back Zoo, provide the most up-to-date accommodations for animals, and maintain the facility as an educational and recreational destination.
“It’s hard to imagine that we opened the Gibbons Exhibit 17 years ago. When it was first unveiled, it became a popular attraction immediately because of the energy and athleticism of our gibbons. It was time to update the exhibit because much of the equipment was showing signs of regular wear and tear. The upgrades will ensure the safety of our animals and provide them with the most up-to-date conditions,” DiVincenzo said.
“With Joe’s leadership, we do more projects than anywhere else because we are always trying to improve our facilities and give people the best experience,” Commissioner President Carlos Pomares said.
“The improvements made to our Gibbons Exhibit are at our core principle of promoting animal health and welfare. I want to thank Joe for always supporting the zoo with new exhibits and improvements that benefit our animals,” Turtle Back Zoo Director Dr. Jillian Fazio said.
The wire safety mesh that enclosed the exhibit was replaced because of regular wear and tear on the material. Features inside the exhibit, including the climbing tower, pergola, viewing windows, columns and gates were replaced. The interior exhibit area was enlarged and updated with new lighting and ventilation systems and climbing features.
French and Parrello Engineers from Wall was awarded a professional services contract for $168,800 to design the improvements. AB Contracting from Wharton was awarded a publicly bid contract for $1,703,456 to perform the construction work. The upgrades were funded with grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.
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, Lemur Exhibit, 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, ReWorld, 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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