ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Some of the world’s most endangered animals have arrived at their new home in North Jersey.
A new lemur exhibit opened at the Turtle Back Zoo on Tuesday. The county-run zoo is located in West Orange.
The exhibit features three species of lemurs: ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs and brown collared lemurs.
According to county administrators, 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. They primarily eat 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.
“I’m excited about this exhibit because it is the first conservation focused exhibit that we have in the zoo,” Turtle Back Director Jilian Fazio said.
“This is important because lemurs are one of the most endangered species on the planet,” Fazio said.
The Turtle Back Zoo’s new lemurs have another notable neighbor in the same exhibit: Aldabra tortoises. Also known as “giant tortoises,” they are the largest of their species in the world, with the majority of their population living on the islands of the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa.
The new habitat replaces the former Sea Lion Sound exhibit. The zoo transported its last remaining sea lion to another Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility two years ago.
According to county administrators, 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. In addition, viewing areas for the public have been expanded.
The indoor touch tank with sharks and sting rays will remain.
County administrators released the following details about funding for the new exhibit:
“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.”
“Bringing lemurs to our backyard is an opportunity to raise awareness among our visitors about their vulnerability and gain an appreciation for their uniqueness,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.
Other support for this week’s exhibit unveiling came from Essex County commissioners Len Luciano and Brendan Gill.
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