Animals Didn’t Escape Turtle Back Zoo In Storm, Official Says

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Things got hectic in Essex County and West Orange on Wednesday, as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida passed through New Jersey. But despite what you may have seen on social media, no, the animals didn’t escape from Turtle Back Zoo.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency across New Jersey Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Ida wreaked havoc, spawning powerful tornadoes and significant flash flooding from south to north. Read More: 1 Dead As Flooding Traps Drivers, Tornadoes Devastate New Jersey

While the storm caused damage and sowed chaos throughout the state, the animals at the zoo remained safe and sound, according to Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr.

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“The social media message stating that animals have left Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is unequivocally false,” DiVincenzo said.

“Turtle Back is an accredited facility that takes the care and welfare of our animals very seriously,” DiVincenzo continued. “In advance of Hurricane Ida, our animal care team secured all the animals indoors and staff remained on grounds to monitor the situation. There was no loss of power and all of our animals and animal areas weathered the storm well and remain safe and secure within the facility.”

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