FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Teresa Ruiz
March 3, 2004 973-621-4404
Anthony Puglisi
973-621-2542
OF NEW ANIMAL HOSPITAL AT TURTLE BACK ZOO
$1.6 Million Facility is Key Ingredient to Obtain AZA Accreditation
West Orange , NJ &endash; Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. celebrated the groundbreaking of Essex County 's new state-of-the-art Animal Hospital at Essex County 's Turtle Back Zoo. The $1.6 million facility is an important step for the zoo to gain national accreditation from the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
"We all have been waiting too long for this day to arrive. Three previous county executives promised to build an Animal Hospital at Turtle Back Zoo and failed, wasting the time and money of Essex County taxpayers," DiVincenzo said. "I am committed to having a hospital built because it will help our facility gain AZA accreditation, make us eligible for new grants and funding opportunities, and make this a premiere facility," he added.
"Our zoo is a real gem and has the potential to be a premiere educational facility for students of all ages," the County Executive said. "Many of us have childhood memories that were formed from our visits to Turtle Back Zoo. I want to re-create that type of experience for all our children from throughout Essex County who are discovering the wonders of nature and the environment," he added.
Overseeing the construction of the Animal Hospital will be Dr. Jeremy Goodman, who recently was appointed Director of Turtle Back Zoo and is the first certified zoo director in the 40-year history of the facility. Formerly theAssistant Director and Veterinarian at the Potawatomi Zoo in Indiana , Goodman oversaw the construction of a $1.1 million animal hospital.
"I share the vision that County Executive DiVincenzo has for Turtle Back Zoo," Goodman said. "Having a hospital on site will be a tremendous asset. We will be able to continue to provide the highest quality of care, expand our collection and continue to improve the zoo," he added.
Goodman added that another important requirement to qualify for AZA accreditation is support from the administration. "We also need to show there is support from the government, and in that area we will definitely pass because of our County Executive ," he noted.
The 6,000-square-foot hospital will have modern medical equipment and various rooms to examine and care for the animals. Located adjacent to the miniature train ride, the facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2004. The building was designed by Nicholas J. Netta Architects of Springfield, which received a $168,530 contract earlier this year. J.A. Alexander was awarded a $1.65 million contract to build the facility. A portion of a bond ordinance for park improvements that was approved by the previous administration is being used to pay for the project.
"No county executive prior to Joe had the commitment to make this happen," said Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold.
Tina Silvestro, President of the Docents said DiVincenzo "spells the word PUSH in capital letters. We're here today because he has pushed so hard for this project." Connie Williams, President of the Zoological Society, described the groundbreaking as "another example of the cooperation" between the County and those who volunteer at the zoo.
Construction of an animal hospital had started almost 20 years ago, but the project was abandoned because of budgetary problems. The foundation of the building was completed, but will be removed to make way for the new building.
During the past several years, Essex County , the Zoological Society of New Jersey and the Docent organization have worked cooperatively to add new animal exhibits featuring otters, Scottish highland cows, bison, elks, bobcats and cougars, and prairie dogs. A petting zoo with pony rides has been established at Turtle Back Zoo and a new entranceway to the facility recently was constructed. Essex County and the Zoological Society also have entered into agreements with Kean University in Union and Montclair State University to sponsor the cougar and red tail hawk exhibits, which are the mascots of the two schools, respectively.
Turtle Back Zoo was in danger of closing in 1995 due to budget cuts and inferior conditions. Then serving as Freeholder President, DiVincenzo worked cooperatively with the Zoological Society, Docents and other boosters to save and upgrade the facility.
Turtle Back Zoo is located at 560 Northfield Ave. in West Orange . During the winter, the zoo is open Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended spring hours begin in April.