Turtle Back Zoo Construction Continues, But So Does Criticism

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A $3.7 million expansion project at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo continues to move forward, to supporters’ delight. But critics of the project aren’t giving up their efforts, either.

County officials recently unveiled plans to modernize the Red Panda and Clouded Leopard areas at the zoo's Asia-themed exhibit. The work is being 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 new exhibit is scheduled to open in the summer of 2022.

Several officials – including zoo staff – said the latest expansion is a win for both the animals and the community.

“Updating the Amazing Asia Exhibit will help us meet updated guidelines from Association of Zoos and Aquariums, enhance animal care and provide better viewing areas for the public,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“All of the animals in the exhibit are endangered,” said the zoo’s director, Jillian Fazio. “The new design will help us educate guests all year round and will set an example for zoos that handle these animals.”

DiVincenzo shared a glimpse of the progress via social media on Monday (article continues below).

But there has also been pushback against the project, as well as overall expansion at the zoo, which has seen more than $100 million in upgrades since 2003. Read More: $3.7M Expansion At Turtle Back Zoo Moves Forward, Despite Critics

Among the critics are the members of the Coalition to Save South Mountain Reservation, which is located next to the zoo.

On Thursday, the advocacy group sent out an email with a four-word subject line: “Here we go again.”

“Construction is actively taking place at the Turtle Back Zoo,” the group wrote. “It will increase impermeable surface coverage by 60 percent which all but guarantees more flooding.”

The group continued:

“Essex County’s claim that this development is ‘within the current fence line’ is questionable. The county keeps pushing the fence back and eating away at the reservation forest. From an original footprint of 15 acres, the zoo now covers 52 acres, some of it within wetlands. In recent years, more than $100 million of taxpayer dollars have been spent expanding and remodeling the zoo and entertainment complex. Almost nothing has been spent on maintaining the reservation.”

“It is clear the county has no plans to curtail development,” the group alleged.

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