$3.7M Exhibit At Turtle Back Zoo Has Red Pandas, Leopards, Slow Loris

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A new exhibit at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange is home to exotic critters that include red pandas, clouded leopards and slow lorises.

Officials and zoo staff gathered for a dedication ceremony on Thursday at the “Louis LaSalle Amazing Asia Exhibit,” which is also home to knobbed hornbills and Vietnamese pond turtles.

With the exception of the turtles, the animals are mostly arboreal, meaning they spend their time in the trees. County officials said the exhibit is designed to meet the animals’ needs to climb and run: the outdoor section of the exhibit is 20 feet while the indoor section is 12 feet. The animal area will feature a waterfall, pool, a separate fresh water drinking area, climbing structures and a grassy area for the animals to wander.

The Turtle Back Zoo opened its original red panda exhibit in 2013. The facility needed to be modernized because it did not meet updated requirements from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which is currently accredited with, officials said.

According to a statement from the county:

“French and Parrello from Wall, N.J., received a professional services contract for $248,000 to design the exhibit. APS Contractors from Paterson were awarded a publicly bid contract for $3,735,725 to perform the construction work. The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored the contract to ensure delays were avoided. The exhibit was funded with grants from the NJ Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, and through the Essex County Capital Budget.”

The updated space will help Turtle Back Zoo to strengthen populations of endangered species through its participation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, officials said:

“Red Pandas are native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. The clouded leopard is a wild cat inhabiting dense forests from the foothills of the Himalayas through mainland Southeast Asia into South China. It is listed as being vulnerable by the IUCN. The Vietnamese Pond Turtle is critically endangered. Turtle Back has partnered with the Asian Turtle Program in Vietnam to support their work in rehabilitating and releasing turtles confiscated in the illegal wildlife trade. Hornbills are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia.”

The project previously saw some pushback from critics, who alleged that it is a “half-baked, pricey, taxpayer-paid plan.” Other have expressed concerns about what the new exhibit will mean for the zoo’s overall boundaries and footprint.

• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo Construction Continues, But So Does Criticism
• See related article: Critics Pan Plan For New Exhibit At Turtle Back Zoo

But supporters say the exhibit is a win for the animals – and those interested in learning more about them. They included Zoological Society of New Jersey Executive Director Adam Kerins and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo Director Jillian Fazio.

“We are all really proud of the Amazing Asia Exhibit because it highlights the importance of biodiversity not only within the environment but also connects with cultures,” Fazio said. “We hope this will inspire environmental awareness among our visitors and help us highlight our mission of promoting education, conservation and understanding.”

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said one of the main goals of the exhibit was to make sure that the zoo “provides the most supportive environment for our animals and the best learning experience for our visitors.”

“Updating the Amazing Asia Exhibit will help us meet updated guidelines from AZA, enhance animal care and provide better viewing areas for the public,” DiVincenzo said.

And that will also benefit the children, families and students visit Turtle Back Zoo, Essex County Commissioner Patricia Sebold said.

“The education component is priceless,” Sebold said.

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LOU LASALLE: ‘A PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY’

Thursday’s ribbon cutting ceremony included a dedication to the new exhibit’s namesake, Louis LaSalle.

The exhibit was named after LaSalle, the longtime president of the Essex County Parks Foundation, in recognition of his longtime advocacy for Turtle Back Zoo and the Essex County Parks System, officials said.

County officials gave the following background about LaSalle’s contributions to the community:

“Lou LaSalle was named Chairman of the Essex County Parks Centennial Committee in 1994. After the 100th Anniversary Celebration concluded, Mr. LaSalle remained in the leadership role when the organization transitioned into the Essex County Parks Foundation to provide ongoing support to the Essex County Parks System. As Chairman, he has overseen fundraising initiatives to support education, enrichment and recreation programs offered in the Essex County Parks System, revitalization of recreation facilities and preservation of open space. Professionally, LaSalle joined St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston as Vice President for External Affairs in 1990. His role and responsibilities grew as the hospital expanded and transformed into RWJBarnabas Health. He retired from RWJBarnabas in May 2021 and now holds the title of Senior Vice President Emeritus. LaSalle also volunteers his time with numerous community organizations, including the American Heart Association with which he has been affiliated for 57 years.”

DiVincenzo said that LaSalle was first pressed into service with the Essex County Parks Foundation when it was founded 27 years ago and has served as the chairman since its inception.

“Lou epitomizes community service in the numerous roles he has with the Parks Foundation, RWJBarnabas, area chambers of commerce and other local organizations,” the county executive said.

“Lou is as dedicated to the community today as he has been for the past 35 years,” RWJBarnabas Health COO Barry Ostrowsky agreed. “When we look at this tremendous investment to create this new exhibit, it is consistent with what Lou has been about his entire life and that is giving back to the community.”

“It’s fitting to name this after Lou, who has been a pillar in the community,” Essex County Commissioner Len Luciano said. “I can’t think of a better person to dedicate this new exhibit to.”

Also congratulating LaSalle on the recognition and for his lifetime of service to the community were New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz, Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stephens and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

LaSalle thanked those who spoke on his behalf, including DiVincenzo, who he first met almost 40 years ago when they both served on an advisory committee for the Essex County Parks Commission.

“This is a meaningful and tremendous honor to me,” LaSalle said.

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