Turtle Back Zoo, nestled within the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, New Jersey, is an AZA-accredited zoological park managed by the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. It offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages, showcasing a diverse collection of animals from around the world. The zoo is committed to wildlife conservation, education, and providing a fun, family-friendly environment. Popular attractions include the African Adventure, Big Cat Country, a Reptile Center, the Essex Farm, and the Sea Turtle Recovery center, alongside amenities like a miniature train, carousel, and treetop adventure course.
The facility serves as the central hub for all zoo operations, including animal exhibition and care, guest services, educational programming, conservation initiatives, veterinary services, and administrative management.
Expansive animal habitats (e.g., African Adventure, Big Cat Country, Australian Exhibit), Sea Turtle Recovery Center, Treetop Adventure Course, miniature train, carousel, education center, on-site veterinary hospital.
A mission-driven environment focused on animal welfare, conservation, education, and public engagement. Staff includes zoologists, veterinarians, educators, and guest service professionals dedicated to the zoo's mission. It's a hands-on, often outdoor, collaborative setting.
A major cultural, educational, and recreational landmark in Essex County and Northern New Jersey, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It plays a crucial role in local tourism, community education, and global conservation efforts.
While Turtle Back Zoo's physical operations are based in West Orange, NJ, its global presence is primarily through participation in international conservation programs and partnerships. This includes involvement in AZA Species Survival Plans (SSPs) which manage and conserve threatened and endangered species populations globally, collaboration with international conservation organizations, and supporting field conservation projects around the world. The zoo also contributes to global wildlife education by sharing knowledge and best practices.
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange
NJ
USA
Address: Administrative offices within 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
All functions are centralized at the main zoo location to support its operations and mission within Essex County and the broader region it serves.
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As of April 2025, Turtle Back Zoo' leadership includes:
Turtle Back Zoo has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:
As a county-operated facility, high-level executive changes directly tied to the Zoo Director or Parks Director roles are infrequent and usually part of broader county administrative shifts. No major, publicly announced executive hires or exits specific to the top zoo leadership have been noted in the last 12 months. Key leadership roles demonstrate stability.
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For general inquiries, Turtle Back Zoo typically uses a main contact email address. Staff members, being Essex County employees, likely have email addresses following a county-wide format, often incorporating their name and the county's domain or a parks-specific subdomain.
General: info@turtlebackzoo.com. County Staff: [firstinitial][lastname]@parks.essexcountynj.org or [firstname].[lastname]@essexcountynj.org (common county patterns)
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info@turtlebackzoo.com
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Essex County, NJ Official Website • April 2, 2024
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that the new 'Shores of Africa' penguin exhibit at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo is slated to open in spring 2024. This exhibit will feature African Penguins and enhance the zoo's commitment to species conservation and visitor education....more
TAPinto West Orange • November 17, 2023
The popular Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo returned for its 17th season, offering a festive experience with dazzling light displays throughout the zoo. The event also served as a collection site for non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats for local charities....more
Patch.com • May 10, 2023
Sea Turtle Recovery, located at the Turtle Back Zoo, successfully rehabilitated and released a Kemp's Ridley sea turtle named 'Peachy Keen'. The turtle was treated for injuries sustained from a vessel strike and returned to the ocean, highlighting the zoo's conservation efforts....more
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