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As a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), we are part of their work to make sure zoo populations are healthy and balanced. Essex County Turtle Back Zoo participates in Species Survival Plans (SSP) to manage and match zoo animals based off of genetic health and diversity, and the lemurs at Turtle

Radiated tortoises (Geochelone radiata) are a tortoise species living in the southern forests of Madagascar. They have a distinct look, featuring a dark shell or “carapace”, with sharp yellow lines on each plate or “scute”. They can live for up to 50 years and are herbivores, feeding primarily on the grasses which comprise 90% of

Located off the Southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, the island of Madagascar is one of the most unique ecosystems on earth. It split from the African continent around 160 millions years ago, and over 80% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on earth. Unlike New Jersey’s four seasons, Madagascar has only

Ring Tailed Lemurs Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are a species of lemur found in the forests of southwestern Madagascar. They are known for the 13 black and white bands on their tail. Unlike most lemurs who are completely arboreal and live in the trees, ring-tailed lemurs are also terrestrial, spending 40% of their time walking

What are African Penguins? African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are a small species of penguin found in the waters off of southern Africa. They are known for their streamlined bodies, and for flippers which allow them to navigate smoothly in the water. African penguins are found only on the south-western coast of Africa, from Namibia to

Join us on May 14 at 7:00 PM for a member’s exclusive talk with Dr. Cortni Borgerson on her work in Madagascar working with local communities to protect lemurs.   About Dr. Borgerson: Dr. Borgerson works directly in local Madagascar communities to not only preserve the environment but to learn from these communities and bring

Our Membership in Action conservation focus for 2026 is the lemur. Read on to learn about lemurs! Kingdom:  Animalia Phylum:  Chordata Subphylum:  Vertebrata Class:  Aves Order:  Sphenisciformes Family:  Spheniscidae Genus:  Spheniscus Species:  S. demersus   Lemurs (Suborder Strepsirrhini) are primates that are found only on the island of Madagascar and the nearby Comoro Islands. There

In 2024, Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and the Zoological Society of New Jersey created an initiative to bring membership dollars into conservation. Each year, a portion of membership sales is awarded to a conservation organization to help that organization with its conservation efforts in the wild.   In the program’s first year, Essex County

What are pollinators? Pollinators are animals that carry pollen from one plant to another and allow for growth of new plants. There are many different species of pollinators including bees, bats, small mammals, and some species of birds. Monarch butterflies are common pollinators native to North America. Every year, monarchs migrate from areas such as

Team Birdin’ with Glorious Purpose (see the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Loki for reference – our nerddom covers many genera) 2024 comprised of Tedor Whitman (CHA), Wendi Mulvey (CHA), and Jenna Zimmerman (Turtle Back Zoo). We’re a Level 1 Team competing in the Limited Geographic Area (LGA) category. We bird in Essex County, acknowledged to be