Turtle Back Zoo closes bird exhibits to protect animals from avian flu

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. announced April 1 that all outdoor exhibits featuring birds at Turtle Back Zoo will close due to the emergence of the newly discovered highly pathogenic avian influenza. The exhibits are being closed as a precautionary measure to protect the birds from exposure to the influenza and to help stop the spread of the disease.

The virus was first detected in a noncommercial backyard flock of birds in Michigan. There have been no cases of the virus reported at Turtle Back Zoo; however, cases have recently been detected in wild bird populations in surrounding areas.

“As an accredited facility, the health and welfare of our animals is of paramount concern. Turtle Back Zoo is located along migratory routes for birds so it is important that we do all we can to prevent the birds in our care from getting infected. All of our birds that are featured in outdoor exhibits are being temporarily moved indoors out of an abundance of caution to protect them from harm,” DiVincenzo said. “Our dedicated staff is taking extreme measures to ensure all of our birds are well cared for while they are placed in quarantine.”

“We pride ourselves on providing the highest level of care for these vulnerable species and that includes having contingency plans in place that allow us to be proactive during disease outbreaks and prevent any loss of the animals we and our guests value so dearly,” Turtle Back Zoo director Jilian Fazio said.

Exhibits affected include those featuring the flamingos, bald eagles, condors and hawks. The opening of the seasonal aviary display in the Outback Adventure Exhibit will be delayed until further notice. The peacocks that are allowed to roam freely in the zoo’s grounds also will be relocated to indoor accommodations. Birds in the Reptile House and the penguins in the Shores of Africa Exhibit will remain available for our guests to see because they are kept in enclosed exhibits and the birds are not exposed to outdoor conditions.

  County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., Turtle Back Zoo