Turtle Back Zoo reopens with temperature checks, reserved ticket times (PHOTOS) – NJ.com

For the hundreds of animals who’ve gotten used to lounging around Turtle Back Zoo without the gawking public, vacation is over.

The West Orange destination reopened Thursday for reserved ticket-holders, each of whom were given a strict 30-minute time frame to enter the zoo and are greeted at the gate by a staff member taking temperatures. Face coverings were required as well.

Some of the animals will need to get used to the public again, said Kate Hartwyck, Deputy Director of Essex County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

“This is the first time we’ve had a prolonged period of not having the public on grounds,” she said. “I know our staff found it very fun to see how that changed our animals’ behavior and how much more comfortable they got in some of our exhibits without the public watching them.”

The lions had found new resting spots, lazing in front of the glass while the zoo was closed.

But, even with visitors back in the zoo, the lions don’t seem to mind too much. On Thursday, as wide-eyed children wandered the zoo, the animals hadn’t moved from their newfound nap spots.

Brady, a six-year-old boy celebrating his birthday on Thursday, relished the opportunity to ride the mini-train attraction so he could “see the giraffes on it and trees shaped like animals.”

“We came today, partly because it’s Brady’s birthday, but partly because we just miss the place and we’re looking for some normalcy,” Brady’s father Mike Gesario, of Roseland, said. “This is part of our normal routine, I guess you’d say. We came here quite often before the virus and all that, so it’s nice to get back out and see the animals.”

Most guests didn’t seem to mind the entry process; a small inconvenience to be among the animals again.

“It was a very smooth process, I’d say, for everything we had to do,” said Jack Mastrangelo, a 22-year-old Caldwell resident, who made a reservation two days earlier to see the zoo with his girlfriend. “Temperature check was quick… we got in right at ticket time, and it seems, for the most part, I haven’t seen anyone without a mask, and it’s really spaced out.”

The zoo is still not fully open, and a number of attractions will remain closed until Stage 3, including the aviary, butterfly tent, pony ride, carousel, goat feet, giraffe feed, bear house and the playgrounds. Water fountains and vending machines will be unavailable and some paths will be one-way.

But the train, along with other adjacent attractions like the Treetop Adventure Course, Mini Golf Safari and the paddle boats are up and running. Some restrooms will be available, the café will serve grab-and-go and the gift shop will be open.

“Honestly, it’s felt pretty normal,” Gesario said.