The Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange has broken ground on a nearly $7.9 million project to build a new hoof-stock barn that will expand its African Adventure exhibit and strengthen efforts to conserve one of Africa’s most threatened antelopes.
Expansion to support breeding and exhibit diversity
Construction on the hoof-stock barn began in July and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2027, county officials said. The new facility is designed to provide indoor space for zebras and additional bongos, enabling the zoo to diversify its live collection and meet animal care standards that support breeding.
The project will allow Turtle Back Zoo to formally participate in a Species Survival Plan coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a cooperative program aimed at managing and conserving threatened and endangered species across accredited institutions.
“Our African Adventure with our lions, giraffes, penguins and hyenas is one of our most popular exhibits,” Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. said in a statement. “The addition of zebras and more bongos will increase the diversity in the Savanna-themed exhibit and create an even more dynamic display to capture the attention of our visitors.”
Why bongos matter
Bongos are large, forest-dwelling antelopes native to sub-Saharan Africa, notable for their reddish-brown coats, contrasting black-and-white markings and long slightly spiraled horns. The species faces severe threats in the wild; the zoo said only about 100 bongos remain in natural habitats. Turtle Back currently houses two bongos and aims to increase the population through managed breeding in compliance with AZA guidelines.
Expanding the zoo’s capacity for hoof-stock is intended both to enhance in-person visitor experience and to contribute to broader conservation efforts that require space, specialized care and coordinated animal transfers among accredited institutions.
Contracts, timeline and funding
Work on the barn is a publicly bid project. Tsivicos Enterprises of Neptune won the construction contract for $7,881,723. Professional services to design the facility were awarded to French and Parrello of Wall for $671,250, and Legacy Construction Management, also of Wall, received $316,110 to monitor the project.
| Firm | Role | Contract amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tsivicos Enterprises (Neptune) | Construction | $7,881,723 |
| French and Parrello (Wall) | Design services | $671,250 |
| Legacy Construction Management (Wall) | Project monitoring | $316,110 |
The barn is being paid for through a combination of grants from the New Jersey Green Acres program and the Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund, county officials said.
What visitors will see
The African Adventure exhibit already includes a mix of species visitors expect to see on a savanna-themed walk-through: lions, giraffes, penguins and hyenas. The new hoof-stock barn will enable zebras and additional bongos to be exhibited alongside the giraffes and other species where appropriate.
- Construction: began July; completion expected spring 2027.
- Primary contractor: Tsivicos Enterprises, Neptune.
- Funding: New Jersey Green Acres grants and Essex County Recreation and Open Space Trust Fund.
Local and conservation implications
For Essex County residents, the project represents an investment in local tourism and education. Zoo officials say larger and more diverse exhibits can lead to higher attendance and enhanced learning opportunities for school groups and families. From a conservation standpoint, the barn positions Turtle Back Zoo to take an active role in a coordinated effort to stabilize and rebuild bongo populations through managed breeding and exchanges with other accredited zoos.
Construction and contract awards reflect a mix of county oversight and private contractors from across the state. The timeline sets expectations for when visitors will notice visible changes to the African Adventure experience; until then, existing exhibits remain open to the public under current operating policies.
As work proceeds this fall and winter, the public can expect periodic updates from Essex County and Turtle Back Zoo on construction milestones and new arrivals once animal transfers are scheduled in accordance with AZA governance and animal welfare practices.
Contact and visitation details: Turtle Back Zoo is located in West Orange; the county and zoo will announce when new inhabitants will be introduced to the public following completion of the hoof-stock barn.
