Repair Work Possibly Coming For Eagle Exhibit At Turtle Back Zoo

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A virtual meeting will be held Thursday to discuss potential repair work on the eagle exhibit at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, county officials said.

According to a public notice, the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board will conduct a virtual meeting at 3 p.m. on July 16.

“Although the agenda is subject to change, the advisory board will be discussing and taking action on the Turtle Back Zoo eagle exhibit repairs,” the notice states.

The advisory reads:

“Members of the public who wish to comment should email their comments/questions to jzaitz@parks.essexcountynj.org no later than July 15 at 3 p.m. These comments/questions will be read during the July 16 meeting. Please provide your name and mailing address so that the advisory board can respond in writing to questions you may have. Written responses can take up to three weeks from the date of the meeting.”

A county spokesperson provided the following additional information to Patch:

“As per the public notice, the public can provide their questions to the board, they will be read during the meeting and placed on the record, and then a response will be provided in writing. This is the same procedure that was followed when the board met last month.”

“The eagle exhibit was damaged in a storm a few years ago, the spokesperson continued. “This is to rebuild the exhibit and ensure it meets current Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) guidelines.”

Additional information about the potential work, including the nature of the repairs and the estimated cost, wasn’t immediately available.

• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo, Other Essex County Attractions Reawaken

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