Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Governor Chris Christie joined dignitaries to open Sea Lion Sound Exhibit
Calling it the "best zoo in the state," Gov. Chris Christie officially opened the newest exhibit at the Turtle Back Zoo Tuesday, featuring the largest exhibit in the zoo's history. Joined by his daughter Bridget, Christie cut the ribbon on the new Sea Lion Sound Exhibit. The large crowd included zoo visitors, numerous county and state officials, as well as 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 50th anniversary in 2013, noted Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo…
Monday, April 8, 2013
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 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. 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 at the zoo, 560 …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Nine-month-old snow leopard joins Gala at the Turtle Back Zoo.
- NEWS
-
Tuesday, February 19
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, …
Friday, January 25, 2013
With the recent cold snap, the prospect of "Essex Ed" predicting six more weeks of winter on Feb. 2 is especially daunting.
Groundhog Day is on Saturday, Feb. 2 this year, and the recent Arctic temperatures are giving the day a bit more resonance than usual. Last year, groundhog Essex Ed predicted an early spring at the annual Groundhog Day ceremony at Turtle Back Zoo. (Ed was actually the tie-breaker vote between Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil who predicted six more weeks of winter and Staten Island's Chuck who called for an early spring.) Check out the video from last year's event, attached to this article. According to the myth, if a groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if he does not, spring is around the corner. Ed's track record is pretty solid: he's predicted correctly nine out of the past 10 years. Last year, Dr. Jeremy …
Monday, January 21, 2013
Do you think the county should continue the annual hunt? Let us know by voting in our Patch poll!
Let the hunt begin. The sixth year of Essex County's deer management program will begin Tuesday, Jan. 22. The hunt will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays until Feb. 7. Hunting will take place at South Mountain Reservation today and Thursday, and Jan. 29 in the afternoon only. In addition, hunters will be allowed to track trails in the Hilltop Reservation and the old Essex County Hospital Center site in the mornings and afternoons on Jan 31, and Feb. 5 and 7. The hunt has also been scaled back this year. The program has been reduced from 24 hunting sessions in 12 days in 2012 to nine sessions in six days this year. Open/Closed During the deer hunt, the reservations and Fairview Avenue in Cedar Grove will be closed. The following …
Thursday, January 3, 2013
This "local gem" marks half a century of education and entertainment
The Turtleback Zoo turns 50 in 2013, and the people and animals who live in and love the zoo are celebrating. This year will see completion of a new playground, thanks to Investors Bank, as well as a Sea Lion building, complete with a touch-tank. When ground broke for the new building, in 2010, Essex County Joseph DiVincenzo said, “The Sea Lion Exhibit will be the largest and most ambitious attraction at Turtle Back Zoo. Opening it during the 50thanniversary celebration will be symbolic of how much the Zoo has been transformed into a premiere recreation and education destination. These will both be milestone events in the Zoo’s history,” he noted. There's no need to wait to visit the zoo, of course, as it is open year-round. Winter Zoo …
Friday, December 28, 2012
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 …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
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 …
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Admission is free to this family-friendly annual event.
- NEWS
-
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
The following information is from the Essex County Executive's Office. The Sixth Annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular is back at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. 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. The event runs at the Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex (560 Northfield Avenue) through January 1st. From now until Dec. 14, it is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. After Dec. 14, it is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is free. “Turtle Back Zoo will be turned into a Winter …
Saturday, October 27, 2012
West Orange facility open to residents, pets beginning Sunday 7 p.m.
- NEWS
-
Saturday, October 27, 2012
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…
C. Cheng
1:53 pm on Thursday, April 11, 2013
#WestOrange more ›