Turtle Back Zoo Turtle Back Zoo News

I wanted to bring this up on this thread for a while, but it was just formally announced today (International Primate Day) on their social media (Instagram and Facebook): a brand new Lemur exhibit is coming by Spring 2026 (“Leaping Lemurs”)!

I’ve actually known about this for a while thanks to a friend who works for the Zoological Society of NJ. They are converting the former Sea Lion exhibit into the new Lemur exhibit (you can also tell this from the concept art shown in their posts). According to my friend they are planned to be mixed with Radiated Tortoises as well! They were also teasing this exhibit for the last few months on their recently updated website.

Very excited for this new development! Turtle Back could definitely use more primate representation.
 
Ebirah766 said:
Was this in the former lynx/bobcat habitat?
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KiwiBirb said:
Looks like it from the picture although I’m not certain
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The exhibit the Canadian Lynx is pictured in held Great Horned Owl and Turkey Vulture during my visit back in May 2024. It's directly across from the Bald Eagle exhibit.

I wouldn't be surprised if the enclosure in question was originally designed for cats in mind as it felt kind of low for a bird.
 
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Astrotom3000 said:
The exhibit the Canadian Lynx is pictured in held Great Horned Owl and Turkey Vulture during my visit back in May 2025. It's directly across from the Bald Eagle exhibit.

I wouldn't be surprised if the enclosure in question was originally designed for cats in mind as it felt kind of low for a bird.
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Yeah, it originally had lynx in there
 
ctfctf7 said:
Why is the zoo phasing out pinnipeds? I thought the Sea Lion Sound was a relatively new exhibit?
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It opened in 2013 and at the time was considered up to date with AZA standards. Then the AZA updated their standards and regulations in 2015, thus the exhibit was now already considered out-dated and below standards based on the new AZA standards.

That is the main reason for the conversion to a lemur exhibit according to my friend from the Zoological Society of NJ.

Doesn’t help that they were eventually down to one sea lion, who has since been transferred to another facility.
 
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Andrew Mazza said:
It opened in 2013 and at the time was considered up to date with AZA standards. Then the AZA updated their standards and regulations in 2015, thus the exhibit was now already considered out-dated and below standards based on the new AZA standards.

That is the main reason for the conversion to a lemur exhibit according to my friend from the Zoological Society of NJ.

Doesn’t help that they were eventually down to one sea lion, who has since been transferred to another facility.
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This makes sense, I guess. Still sad to see sea lions go
 
Ebirah766 said:
This makes sense, I guess. Still sad to see sea lions go
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Definitely disappointing to see sea lions go. I also feel the exhibit could have been repurposed for sea otters without changing much about the exhibit if they wanted to. Nevertheless, if it was an inadequate space for sea lions (and it honestly did seem a little small), then it’s for the best.

I’m definitely excited to see them convert the space to a lemur exhibit that should be more adequate given the amount of space. Plus, it’ll introduce some very awesome species to the collection!

Given that ring-tailed lemurs, collared brown lemurs, and radiated tortoises are confirmed to be in this exhibit, it really seems like they want to try to emulate the Bronx Zoo’s Spiny Forest exhibit in Madagascar!. I don’t think it’s a stretch to think that, since my friend from the Zoological Society of NJ has told me that TBZ is frequently compared to the Bronx by locals and others due its close proximity to the Bronx. It sounds quite unfair if you ask me, but she did also tell me it does motivate/encourage the zoo to make higher quality exhibits. Even with that motivation, I doubt that however the exhibit turns out will come close to comparing to Bronx Zoo’s exhibit (as harsh as that sounds). I hope that it will still be a quality exhibit regardless!
 
Piece of June / August 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On June 26th, the zoo announced that 3 emus (later named Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup) hatched, which are on exhibit in Australian Outback.

14K views · 417 reactions | If you needed another reason to come to the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this summer, these chicks are it. Our emu hatchlings are currently on display in the nursery of our all-new Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center! Come see these silly birds up close before they change from their fuzzy down feather stage. You may think that emus and ostriches are extremely closely related, but the closest living relatives of emus are actually cassowaries! And you certainly won't find our emus in our African Adventure with our giraffes and ostriches, because these birds are native to Australia. Eventually, you will see these three emu siblings in the Australian Outback with our mob of wallabies but catch them now before they're all grown up - you won't regret it! | Turtle Back Zoo

On August 3rd, the zoo officially announced they acquired 2 golden-headed lion tamarins named Casper and Todd, which are on display inside the Animal Wellness Center building.

Turtle Back Zoo

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On October 13th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 red kangaroos named Dundee and Jolene, which are now on display in Australian Outback.

Turtle Back Zoo

On October 15th, the zoo announced they acquired a female (0.1) keel-billed toucan named Tilly, which is now an ambassador animal.

Turtle Back Zoo
 
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