Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Update: California Condor Exhibit No Longer Planned for Turtle Back Zoo


UPDATE 7/6/16: According to Essex County spokesperson Anthony Puglisi, Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange is no longer planning to bring in California condors, and Andean condors will remain.

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ORIGINAL REPORT:

West Orange, New Jersey: A new exhibit is planned for Essex County's only zoo.

The Turtle Back Zoo, located at 560 Northfield Avenue in West Orange, is planning to install a California condor exhibit. According to the West Orange Township Department of Planning and Development, the township's Planning Board will review the proposal at its next meeting on July 6th at 7:30pm.

Essex County spokesperson Anthony Puglisi told Essex County Place that design of the exhibit just began, and that construction could begin in October. The exhibit will be located between the bison exhibit and the penguin exhibit, according to Puglisi.

According to National Geographic, "the California condor is the largest flying bird in North America". 

The Turtle Back Zoo used to be home to an Andean condor named Claudia, but KTVU FOX 2 reports that it was relocated to the San Francisco Zoo earlier this year.

Zoos in San Diego, Portland, and Los Angeles currently feature California condors.

County officials announced earlier this month that a sea turtle recovery center is also coming to the Turtle Back Zoo.

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