| – West Orange, NJ Patch

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The battle over the future of the Turtle Back Zoo continues to play out in Essex County.

Recently, the county-managed zoo has seen vocal pushback – and support – for several proposed expansion projects within its borders, including an amphitheater/stage with a 150,000-gallon pool and a new bear exhibit.

The price tags aren’t cheap, with the construction estimate for the amphitheater reportedly about $8 million and the proposed bear exhibit at $16 million. Opponents have also claimed the projects are a misuse of taxpayer funds, will add to already-bad traffic in the area and may have negative environmental consequences, such as a reduced number of trees.

However, supporters of the expansion, including Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., have insisted the additions are needed to help the zoo continue its mission of education and conservation.

YES, THE ZOO NEEDS EXPANSION

An online petition started by docents at the zoo has gained more than 300 signatures in favor of building the new amphitheater.

According to the docents, the amphitheater would be a welcome addition to the zoo:

“Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has gone from almost being closed by a previous administration to being transformed into a popular and dynamic destination. We are dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of animals, educating the public about nature and the environment, and promoting conservation. Our commitment is demonstrated by the accreditations we have earned from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoological Association of America and American Humane. We are currently planning to create a new amphitheater to strengthen and expand our educational programming. It would provide a better setting for us to share the stories of our animal family and enable us to reach a larger audience than our current stage allows.”

“We are always looking for ways to improve the experience our visitors have at Turtle Back Zoo and have identified the need for a modern amphitheater,” DiVincenzo told Patch last week. “This would help enhance our educational mission by allowing us to create more dynamic presentations and provide additional seating so larger audiences can participate.”

On Monday, DiVincenzo dropped the name of well-known nature show host Jack Hanna, who also serves as director emeritus of the Columbia Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio.

DiVincenzo shared a July 1 letter from Hanna, which gives the zoo and its team a big thumbs-up for their environmental stewardship. In particular, Hanna praises the Turtle Back Zoo’s work with its three cheetahs, which came to New Jersey from their Columbus counterpart.

Hanna wrote:

“Animals in zoos are ambassadors to their cousins in native ranges — they help educate people about the importance of wildlife and the environment. After a visit to the zoo filled with immersive animal experiences, people leave with a newfound understanding and compassion for wildlife… Cheetahs truly need this understanding more than ever — they are only 7,000 left in Africa. Though this number seems grave, great work done by zoos, like Turtle Back, are helping to raise funds and bring awareness each and every day… I have seen firsthand how a cheetah can touch the hearts of both children and adults — and we appreciate your help in ensuring this wonderful connection continues in New Jersey!”

While Hanna’s letter doesn’t specifically mention the amphitheater or expansion at the zoo, DiVincenzo used it to advocate for the proposal, asking the public to “support our latest project to build a modern amphitheater which will help us strengthen our programming and reach a larger audience.”

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On Tuesday, the zoo’s African Adventure exhibit earned a “Good Neighbor” award from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, which wrote:

“Essex County’s new wildlife habitat at Turtleback Zoo is a model of creativity. The lion and hyena exhibits are elevated with visitor walkways designed to represent dirt pathways in the wild. The penguin exhibit backdrop captures the spirit of the South African coast by showing horizons of rock typically associated with that area of the globe. The thoughtful grading design compensates for the zoo’s naturally steep topography so that all walkways and viewing areas are ADA compliant. The new $5.9 million African Adventure habitat has become a major attraction and is driving increased zoo attendance.”

‘LET’S CALL IT WHAT IT IS’

Opponents of expansion at the zoo aren’t buying the claim that the amphitheater is needed for “education,” however.

Our Green West Orange posted the following message on social media Monday:

“Please join us Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m., Town Hall, 66 Main Street. We will ask our Town Council to consider writing a resolution asking the Turtle Back Zoo to cease all expansion, especially the surprise $8 million amphitheater and the $16 million Grizzly Bear exhibit, in favor of purchasing open space and remediating the flooding in South Mountain reservation. It’s $24 million for animal entertainment verses open space and climate change efforts. The zoo already has an amphitheater and a seal show. Their mantra is education, but let’s call it what it is… coercing animals to perform for an audience.”

The zoo may also face an uphill battle to compensate for $4 million in state aid frozen by Gov. Phil Murphy earlier this month, which is reportedly half of the proposed amphitheater’s funding.

“This is overspending on the zoo,” Essex County Freeholder candidate Adam Kraemer told Patch last week. “The county has not clarified as to if this will increase traffic at the zoo. We don’t know if this will mean a reduction in trees and green space. It is unclear what this will do to drainage. In a high-tax county with roads falling apart and a public safety need to address over 100 homicides a year, this is not a wise use of funds.”

In June, some community members offered fierce pushback against the plan to build a new, $16 million North American bear exhibit at the zoo. An online petition titled “No Turtle Back Zoo Expansion” garnered thousands of signatures.

“Essex County has become enamored of growing the Turtle Back Zoo, spending tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on animal exhibits while cloaking its activity in the veneer of conservation,” the League of Humane Voters of NJ stated, blasting the proposed bear exhibit.

“Tens of millions of dollars spent on the zoo are diverted from the Open Space Trust Fund,” the group continued. “Imagine the benefits to residents and wildlife if that money were to be spent acquiring habitat instead.”

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