Turtle Back Zoo

Turtle Back Zoo
Turtle Back Zoo logo
The current entrance to the Turtle Back Zoo, opened in 2019.
Map
40°46′3″N 74°16′55″W / 40.76750°N 74.28194°W / 40.76750; -74.28194
Date opened1963; 61 years ago (1963)[1]
LocationWest Orange, New Jersey, United States
No. of animalsApproximately 1,400[2]
Annual visitors979,056[3]
MembershipsAZA[4]
Major exhibitsAfrican Adventure, Amazing Asia, Big Cat Country, Essex Farm, Island Giants, Reptile Center, Sea Lion Sound, Sea Turtle Recovery, Shores of Africa, Touch Tank
Websitewww.turtlebackzoo.com

Turtle Back Zoo is a zoo in West Orange, New Jersey. Situated on 20 acres (8.1 ha) in the South Mountain Reservation,[2] it is part of the South Mountain Recreation Complex, which is managed as part of the Essex County Park System, the oldest county park system in the United States. Founded in 1963, the zoo was originally a showcase for animals indigenous to the New York metropolitan area but currently features species from every continent except Antarctica. As of 2018, it houses approximately 1400 animals, including several hundred birds in a free-flight aviary.[2] Located adjacent to the Richard J. Codey Arena, the former practice home of the New Jersey Devils, the zoo is open year-round, weather permitting.

The Turtle Back Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2006. In 2017, the zoo became an accredited member of ZAA (Zoological Association of America).[1]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference zoo_history was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference hamodia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Kiefer, Eric. "Attendance Hits Record High At Turtle Back Zoo: See How Many Visitors". Patch Media.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference aza_list was invoked but never defined (see the help page).