Turtle Back Zoo
BARRY H. OSTROWSKY ANIMAL WELLNESS CENTER
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo has been an integral part of the community since its founding in 1963, becoming a nationally recognized cultural attraction. As the modern world provides innumerable indoor distractions, our nearly 30-acre Zoo has become an important means to rekindle a love and respect for wildlife and inspire partnership in protecting our natural world.
The time is now to grow and expand animal healthcare services at YOUR ZOO!
Under the leadership of Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., the Zoological Society of New Jersey and Essex County Turtle Back Zoo are embarking on a campaign to take our dedication to animal wellness to the next level. The generosity of individuals, businesses, corporations, foundations, and community organizations is sought in making Turtle Back Zoo a beacon for animal care and wellness. With your help, we will significantly expand our care to meet the growing needs of our animal population.
WHAT’S THE PLAN?
With the construction of the new Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center, the Zoo plans to further enhance the already high level of quality care and disease management to all of our resident animals, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. Implementing the five pillars of animal welfare: health, nutrition, behavior, environment, and mental state will create our holistic approach that provides a specialized environment for our animals to thrive.
Windows Into Animal Healthcare
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- You will have front row seats to the treatment room and the lab – and if you prefer a more cuddly viewing opportunity, in our new nursery you will be able to witness baby animals that need a little extra zookeeper TLC to start their lives out right.
- You will be able to watch healthcare in action as it occurs, viewing animals undergoing wellness exams and medical procedures through one of three observation windows – an opportunity available at fewer than a dozen zoos in the U.S.!
Research and Animal Conservation
Essential as animal healthcare and welfare is at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, the new Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center is more than just an improved facility for maintaining wellness in our animal population – it will also enhance our impact by increasing opportunities for education and scientific research, all aimed at fulfilling our mission to conserve wildlife. We will also continue to focus on promoting the One Health approach, an integrated approach which unites disciplines from multiple sectors to detect zoonotic diseases (spread between animals and humans) before they become pandemics.
- The treatment room in the Wellness Center will be expanded to accommodate up-to-date and specialized equipment
- The Wellness Center will attract academic talent, scientists, and researchers who can collaborate alongside our veterinary staff in order to expand their knowledge right here at Turtle Back Zoo
- We will expand existing partnerships with collegiate and high school students
What Now for the Original Building?
Once our new Animal Wellness Center has been completed and is operational, the previous facility will be converted into conservation and breeding facilities.
- The original facility will be used as dedicated space that can be modified to accommodate a variety of animals and serve as safe space to house animals in the case of endemic risks (such as avian influenza) or natural disasters.
- The current building will expand our ability to accommodate those animals participating in the Species Survival Plan (SSP). The function of the SSP is to protect natural diversity and create sustainable populations through breeding of genetically-valuable individuals.
- Additional space will allow us to participate in reintroduction programs for species that require specialized rearing conditions prior to introduction to the wild.
