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NJ Zoo Gets Bomb Threat On First Day Of Early Voting For 2026 Election

An early voting station is located at the zoo complex.

The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey was evacuated on Oct. 24, 2026 after a bomb threat. No threat to public safety was found, authorities said. (Alex Mirchuk/Patch)

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A zoo in Essex County was evacuated last weekend after a bomb threat, authorities say.

The incident took place at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange on Saturday, which was also the first day of early in-person voting for the 2026 general election.

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An early voting station is located at the Bergon Family Center at the South Mountain Recreation Complex at 560 Northfield Avenue.

The zoo was closed for the rest of the day, but the polling site reopened in the early afternoon.

"No threat to public safety was uncovered after a thorough sweep by the responding officers," the zoo reported, adding that "all employees, guests and animals are safe."

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