Essex County taxpayers are footing a $3.9 million bill for a new lemur habitat at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, replacing the former Sea Lion Sound pool with what zoo officials call the facility's first conservation-focused exhibit.
The exhibit opened Tuesday, July 7, 2026, after roughly 10 months of construction that transformed the old sea lion pool into a landscaped enclosure with rockwork mimicking Madagascar's rocky beach-to-forest terrain. Three lemur species now occupy the space: ring-tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, and brown collared lemurs, alongside Aldabra giant tortoises.
"I am excited about this exhibit because it is the first conservation focused exhibit that we have in the zoo," Turtle Back Zoo Director Jillian Fazio said. "This is important because lemurs are one of the most endangered species on the planet."
The project's $3.9 million price tag breaks down into two public contracts. AB Contracting of Wharton won a publicly bid construction contract for $3,707,974. French and Parrello of Wall received a $199,500 professional services contract to design the exhibit.
Funding came from two county sources: $1 million from the Essex County Capital Budget and a $2.7 million grant from the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board. Both draw on county tax revenue.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. said at the opening that the exhibit gives visitors a chance to learn about lemurs' vulnerability and appreciate their uniqueness. Essex County Commissioners Brendan Gill and Len Luciano also attended the July 7 ribbon cutting.
The zoo's single remaining sea lion was transferred to another AZA-accredited facility in summer 2024 after officials determined the existing pool no longer met the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' welfare standards for marine mammals. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday, September 5, 2025.
The former pool area now sits under a mesh enclosure. Interior animal holding areas were adapted for the new residents, and public viewing areas have been expanded. The indoor touch tank with sharks and stingrays remains in place.
The Essex County Department of Public Works monitored construction to keep the project on schedule.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies lemurs as the world's most endangered mammals. Found only on Madagascar, more than 100 species exist, and researchers estimate up to 90% face extinction in the wild within 20 to 25 years due to habitat destruction and hunting.
The exhibit ties into the AZA's Species Survival Plan, a network of nearly 300 programs that coordinate breeding across accredited zoos to maintain genetically diverse populations of endangered species.
Turtle Back Zoo is at 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange. Admission is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and children ages 2 to 12. The zoo is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with extended hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays in July and August, with last admission at 7 p.m.
