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67-530: The Turtle Back Zoo has been an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2006. In 2017, the zoo became an accredited member of ZAA (Zoological Association of America). Turtle Back Zoo, which took its name from a nearby rock formation, opened in 1963 with a collection of 140 animals representing 40 species. It was originally opened seasonally and had a Hans Christian Andersen " storybook theme," with such exhibits as "a giant piggy bank,

134-667: A Species Survival Plan participant and in 2006 added the Bongo Restoration to Mount Kenya Project to its list of the Top Ten Wildlife Conservation Success Stories of the year. However, in 2013, it seems, these successes have been compromised by reports of possibly only 100 mountain bongos left in the wild due to logging and poaching . Giant eland Common eland Greater kudu Balbok Bongo Sitatunga Cape bushbuck Harnessed bushbuck Nyala Lesser kudu The scientific name of

201-587: A beautiful classic carousel house with mosaic floors and stained glass windows. Riders are seated on one of 30 endangered species, which includes pandas, alligators, and tigers. On September 25, 2010, the Turtle Back Zoo opened the Essex County Safari MiniGolf course. Designed by French & Parrello Associates, P.A., the miniature golf course replicates three African regions: the Sahara Desert,

268-527: A coat even more vibrant than that of T. e. eurycerus . The mountain bongo is only found in the wild in a few mountain regions of central Kenya. This bongo is classified by the IUCN Antelope Specialist Group as Critically Endangered , with fewer individuals in the wild than in captivity (where it breeds readily). In 2000, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in the USA (AZA) upgraded the bongo to

335-525: A complex social interaction and are found in African dense forest mosaics. They are the third-largest antelope in the world. The western or lowland bongo , T. e. eurycerus , faces an ongoing population decline, and the IUCN Antelope Specialist Group considers it to be Near Threatened on the conservation status scale. The eastern or mountain bongo , T. e. isaaci , of Kenya , has

402-668: A conference in September, one of the largest zoo and aquarium professionals' events in the US. AZA also manages the citizen science program FrogWatch USA . In the United States, any public animal exhibit must be licensed and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture , United States Environmental Protection Agency , Drug Enforcement Administration , Occupational Safety and Health Administration , and others. Depending on

469-581: A full surgery suite, in addition to x-ray and ultrasound facilities. In May 2022, it was renamed as the “Essex County Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center”, in honor of the president and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health . Construction of a second hospital, which will share the same name as the first hospital, began in October 2023 and is expected to be completed in Fall 2024. Association of Zoos and Aquariums The Association of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA ), originally

536-544: A handful in eleven other countries. In October 1924 the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums was formed as an affiliate of the American Institute of Park Executives. In 1966, the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums became a professional branch affiliate of the newly formed National Recreation and Park Association , which absorbed the American Institute of Park Executives. In

603-529: A healthy captive population of this subspecies offers the potential for its reintroduction. In 2004, Dr. Jake Veasey, the head of the Department of Animal Management and Conservation at Woburn Safari Park and a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums Population Management Advisory Group, with the assistance of Lindsay Banks, took over responsibility for the management and coordination of

670-442: A large animal, the bongo requires an ample amount of food, and is restricted to areas with abundant year-round growth of herbs and low shrubs. Few estimates of population density are available. Assuming average population densities of 0.25 animals per km in regions where it is known to be common or abundant, and 0.02 per km elsewhere, and with a total area of occupancy of 327,000 km , a total population estimate of around 28,000

737-505: A pair of Abyssinian ground hornbills , White-faced whistling ducks , ostriches , and bonteboks . As of spring 2017, this ancient exhibit includes lions and a pack of spotted hyenas . Shores of Africa forms part of the African Adventure and features a penguin enclosure that's home to Pink-backed pelicans and is full of African penguins that swim in an indoor pool. Guests are able to experience underwater viewing while watching

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804-536: A ritualised manner and it is rare for serious fights to take place. However, such fights are usually discouraged by visual displays, in which the males bulge their necks, roll their eyes, and hold their horns in a vertical position while slowly pacing back and forth in front of the other male. They seek out females only during mating time. When they are with a herd of females, males do not coerce them or try to restrict their movements as do some other antelopes. Although mostly nocturnal , they are occasionally active during

871-420: A storm, as a rich source of salt and minerals. This behavior is believed to be a means of getting salts and minerals into their diets. This behavior has also been reported in the okapi . Another similarity to the okapi, though the bongo is unrelated, is that the bongo has a long prehensile tongue which it uses to grasp grasses and leaves. Suitable habitats for bongos must have permanent water available. As

938-522: A substantial amount of genetic material is lost each generation. Whilst the population remains small, the impact of transfers will be greater, so the establishment of a "metapopulation management plan" occurs concurrently with conservation initiatives to enhance in situ population growth, and this initiative is both urgent and fundamental to the future survival of mountain bongo in the wild. The western/lowland bongo faces an ongoing population decline as habitat destruction and hunting pressures increase with

1005-483: A tail of 45–65 cm (18–26 in). Females weigh around 150–235 kg (331–518 lb), while males weigh about 220–405 kg (485–893 lb). Its large size puts it as the third-largest in the Bovidae tribe of Strepsicerotini, behind both the common and greater eland by about 300 kg (660 lb), and above the greater kudu by about 40 kg (88 lb). Both sexes have heavy spiral horns; those of

1072-404: A token collection and, under the direction of a professional staff, provides its collection with appropriate care and exhibits them in an aesthetic manner to the public on a regularly scheduled basis. They shall further be defined as having as their primary business the exhibition, conservation and preservation of the earth's fauna in an educational and scientific manner." To achieve accreditation,

1139-406: A waterfall and indigenous Southwest plantings. Viewing areas resemble a southwest mine or cave and stamped concrete pathways for visitors resemble a southwest trail. The big cat area has an indoor winter refuge area for the animals and secure holding areas. It also is being used as a breeding facility. This $ 3 million exhibit was opened in 2011. In the summer of 2018, the zoo opened a new exhibit for

1206-408: A zoo must pass an application and inspection process and meet or exceed AZA's standards for animal health and welfare, fundraising, zoo staffing, and involvement in global conservation efforts. Inspection is performed by three experts (typically one veterinarian, one expert in animal care, and one expert in zoo management and operations) and then reviewed by a panel of twelve experts before accreditation

1273-633: Is 250 animals. Through the efforts of zoos in North America, a reintroduction to the population in Kenya is being developed. At least one collaborative effort for reintroduction between North American wildlife facilities has already been carried out. In 2004, 18 eastern bongos born in North American zoos gathered at White Oak Conservation in Yulee, Florida for release in Kenya. White Oak staff members traveled with

1340-607: Is a new sub-attractional exhibit which opened in September 2023. It is the new home for the Komodo dragon and American alligator , the former which was previously housed inside the Reptile Center. Three Malayan gharials , which also previously lived at the Reptile Center, are located in an indoor exhibit located next to the American alligator. Island Giants also serves as the new home for the three Aldabra tortoises . This regional exhibit

1407-545: Is about 285 days (9.5 months), with one young per birth, and weaning occurs at six months. Sexual maturity is reached at 24–27 months. The preferred habitat of this species is so dense and difficult to operate in, that few Europeans or Americans observed this species until the 1960s. As young males mature and leave their maternal groups, they most often remain solitary, although rarely they join an older male. Adult males of similar size/age tend to avoid one another. Occasionally, they meet and spar with their horns in

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1474-710: Is awarded. This accreditation process is repeated once every five years. AZA estimates that there are approximately 2,800 animal exhibits operating under USDA license as of 2019; fewer than 10% are accredited. Certification is possible for facilities that hold animals, but are not regularly open to the public. AZA's Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program prioritizes collaboration between zoos and aquariums to support highly vulnerable species. SAFE builds on existing recovery plans to implement strategic conservation and public engagement activities. In 2017, AZA member zoos and aquariums invested $ 15.6 million towards SAFE program species. The SAFE program signature species include

1541-409: Is darker in color than the western and this is especially pronounced in older males which tend to be chestnut brown, especially on the forepart of their bodies. The smooth coat is marked with 10–15 vertical white-yellow stripes, spread along the back from the base of the neck to the rump. The number of stripes on each side is rarely the same. It also has a short, bristly, brown ridge of dorsal hair from

1608-402: Is home to white-cheeked gibbons , red pandas , clouded leopards , a pygmy slow loris , knobbed hornbill and an amur and snow leopard exhibit. The gibbon habitat, a $ 1.8 million exhibit that opened in 2009 as the first exhibit for Amazing Asia, contains an 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m) outdoor mesh tent habitat that is home to the zoo's five white-cheeked gibbons . The leopard exhibit

1675-419: Is one of the latest exhibits, opening in 2018. After Amazing Asia was renovated in September 2022, the exhibit allowed the zoo's red pandas and clouded leopards to have more room to roam. In May 2016, the zoo opened their three-acre African Adventure attraction. The $ 7 million addition is designed to mimic an African Savannah and contains four Masai giraffes . In addition the exhibit contains elands , bongos ,

1742-437: Is required. They have been observed to live up to 19 years. Bongos are one of the largest of the forest antelopes. In addition to the deep chestnut colour of their coats, they have bright white stripes on their sides to help with camouflage . Adults of both sexes are similar in size. Adult height is about 1.1 to 1.3 m (3.6 to 4.3 ft) at the shoulder and length is 2.15 to 3.15 m (7.1 to 10.3 ft), including

1809-506: Is suggested. Only about 60% are in protected areas, suggesting the actual numbers of the lowland subspecies may only be in the low tens of thousands. In Kenya, their numbers have declined significantly and on Mount Kenya , they were extirpated within the last decade due to illegal hunting with dogs. Although information on their status in the wild is lacking, lowland bongos are not presently considered endangered. Bongos are susceptible to diseases such as rinderpest , which almost exterminated

1876-466: Is very popular in zoos and private collections. In North America, over 400 individuals are thought to be held, a population that probably exceeds that of the mountain bongo in the wild. In 2000, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) upgraded the bongo to a Species Survival Plan participant, which works to improve the genetic diversity of managed animal populations. The target population for participating zoos and private collections in North America

1943-455: The African lion , African species of vultures , Asian elephant , Atlantic Acropora coral, black-footed ferret , black rhinoceros , cheetah , eastern indigo snake , giraffe , gorilla , sea turtles , orangutan , radiated tortoise , red wolf , sharks , and sting rays , vaquita , western pond turtle , and whooping crane . There were more than 20 species or taxonomic groups included in

2010-599: The American and Chilean flamingo mixed flock. The current flamingo habitat was the zoo's old penguin exhibit, which got demolished and replaced by a home for new tropical birds. There are several attractions at the zoo, including a train ride, carousel, and playground. All the zoo's attractions are part of the South Mountain Recreation Complex . The Turtle Back Zoo Railroad is a 2 ft ( 610 mm ) narrow gauge railroad attraction that opened with

2077-531: The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums , is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation , education, science, and recreation. AZA is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland , and accredits zoos. There were 238 accredited facilities as of 2019, primarily in the US, and also

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2144-597: The COVID-19 pandemic , the amphitheater was put on hold in 2020. Exhibits include an American black bear exhibit; the Essex Farm, which holds common farm animals and includes a petting zoo ; and the African Adventure's first enclosure which exhibits Masai giraffes, Eland, Ostriches, White-faced whistling ducks and Bontebok. The $ 4.6 million reptile house and education center, the zoo's first indoor exhibit, opened in June 2006. When

2211-563: The Kele language of Gabon . The first known use of the name "bongo" in English dates to 1861. Bongos are further classified into two subspecies : T. e. eurycerus , the lowland or western bongo, and the far rarer T. e. isaaci , the mountain or eastern bongo, restricted to the mountains of Kenya only. The eastern bongo is larger and heavier than the western bongo. Two other subspecies are described from West and Central Africa, but taxonomic clarification

2278-1330: The Republic of the Congo , the Democratic Republic of Congo , the Ivory Coast , Equatorial Guinea , Gabon , Ghana , Guinea , Liberia , Sierra Leone , South Sudan . Historically, bongos are found in three disjunct parts of Africa: East, Central, and West. Today, all three populations' ranges have shrunk in size due to habitat loss for agriculture and uncontrolled timber cutting, as well as hunting for meat. Bongos favour disturbed forest mosaics that provide fresh, low-level green vegetation. Such habitats may be promoted by heavy browsing by elephants, fires, flooding, tree-felling (natural or by logging), and fallowing . Mass bamboo die-off provides ideal habitat in East Africa. They can live in bamboo forests. Like many forest ungulates , bongos are herbivorous browsers and feed on leaves, bushes, vines , bark (bark and pith of rotting trees, grasses/herbs, roots, cereals , and fruits. Bongos require salt in their diets, and are known to regularly visit natural salt licks. Bongos are also known to eat burnt wood after

2345-560: The 4,000-square-foot (370 m) reptile center opened, it contained a pair of nine-foot-long "black dragons ", a species of monitor lizard which was discovered in Malaysia in 2005 and has yet to receive a scientific name. The Reptile House contains amphibians like the Eastern hellbender , some birds, and other reptiles including the Caiman lizard and a rare African dwarf crocodile . Island Giants

2412-691: The ABC house, [and] the pirates’ ship". By 1973 the zoo was home to 850 animals representing 275 species. In 1975, the Zoological Society of New Jersey was established to help promote the zoo and provide funding. Despite this, Turtle Back Zoo fell into disrepair, and was almost shut down in 1995. In 2000, the zoo created a master plan to improve the zoo enough to receive accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Between 2003 and 2006, Turtle Back received approximately $ 20 million in funding, which

2479-461: The AZA community's research. To be a member, a facility must either be accredited or certified. Accredited facilities maintain a professional staff and appropriate animal care, and are open to the public on a predictable basis. The following list is from 2013. Pier 39 Pier 3, Inner Harbor Pier 59 Certified facilities maintain a professional staff and appropriate animal care, but are not open to

2546-577: The Aberdare Forests using camera traps, and, by analyzing DNA extracted from dung , have confirmed the presence of bongo in Mount Kenya, Eburru , and Mau forests . The programme estimate as few as 140 animals left in the wild – spread across four isolated populations. Whilst captive breeding programmes can be viewed as having been successful in ensuring survival of this species in Europe and North America,

2613-706: The African Grasslands, and the Congo located to the center is Mount Kilimanjaro. The miniature golf course consists of 19 holes and contains various animal sculptures, such as a camel, an elephant, a gorilla, a lion and more. In the following years, the zoo opened several more facilities, including the Treetop Adventure Ropes Course in September 2011, an education center in July 2014, and a new 15,000 square foot, $ 2 million, sea turtle recovery center in 2016. A $ 2 million on-site veterinary hospital includes

2680-497: The Endangered Species Act. In 2017, member institutions reported participating in field conservation projects benefiting over 860 species in 128 countries. AZA zoos and aquariums spent $ 25 million on research and published 170 books, book chapters, journal articles, conference proceeding papers, posters and theses or dissertations. Animal care, health and welfare, followed by species and habitat conservation, describe 68% of

2747-612: The US and eleven other countries: Canada , Mexico , Bermuda , The Bahamas , the Dominican Republic , Colombia , Argentina , Spain , Hong Kong , Singapore , and South Korea . Approximately 800,000 animals representing 6,000 species are in the care of AZA-accredited facilities, including 1,000 threatened or endangered species. The association also facilitates both species survival plans and population management plans, which serve to sustainably manage genetically diverse captive populations of various animal species. AZA holds

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2814-454: The animal can quickly flee. When in distress, the bongo emits a bleat . It uses a limited number of vocalisations, mostly grunts and snorts; females have a weak mooing contact-call for their young. Females prefer to use traditional calving grounds restricted to certain areas, while newborn calves lie in hiding for a week or more, receiving short visits by the mother to suckle . The calves grow rapidly and can soon accompany their mothers in

2881-696: The animals they exhibit, the activities of zoos are regulated by laws including the Endangered Species Act , the Animal Welfare Act , the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and others. Additionally, zoos in North America may choose to pursue accreditation by AZA. The American association has developed a definition for zoological gardens and aquariums as part of its accreditation standards: "A permanent cultural institution which owns and maintains captive wild animals that represent more than

2948-469: The bongo is Tragelaphus eurycerus , and it belongs to the genus Tragelaphus and family Bovidae . It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1837. The generic name Tragelaphus is composed of two Greek words: trag- , meaning a goat; and elaphos , meaning deer. The specific name eurycerus originated from the fusion of eurus (broad, widespread) and keras (an animal's horn). The common name "bongo" originated probably from

3015-571: The bongos to a Mount Kenya holding facility, where they stayed until being reintroduced. In the last few decades, a rapid decline in the numbers of wild mountain bongo has occurred due to poaching and human pressure on their habitat, with local extinctions reported in Cherangani and Chepalungu hills, Kenya. The Bongo Surveillance Programme, working alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service , have recorded photos of bongos at remote salt licks in

3082-448: The bongos' habitat believed that if they ate or touched bongo, they would have spasms similar to epileptic seizures . Because of this superstition , bongos were less harmed in their native ranges than expected. However, these taboos are said no longer to exist, which may account for increased hunting by humans in recent times. An international studbook is maintained to help manage animals held in captivity. Because of its bright colour, it

3149-620: The core of a bongo's horn is hollow and the outer layer of the horn is made of keratin , the same material that makes up human fingernails, toenails, and hair. The bongo runs gracefully and at full speed through even the thickest tangles of lianas , laying its heavy spiralled horns on its back so the brush cannot impede its flight. Bongos are hunted for their horns by humans. Like other forest ungulates , bongos are seldom seen in large groups. Males, called bulls, tend to be solitary, while females with young live in groups of six to eight. Bongos have seldom been seen in herds of more than 20. Gestation

3216-426: The day. However, like deer, bongos may exhibit crepuscular behaviour. Bongos are both timid and easily frightened; after a scare, a bongo moves away at considerable speed, even through dense undergrowth. Once they find cover, they stay alert and face away from the disturbance, but peek every now and then to check the situation. The bongo's hindquarters are less conspicuous than the forequarters, and from this position

3283-515: The fall of 1971, the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums membership voted to become an independent association. On January 19, 1972, it was chartered as the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums with its executive office located in Wheeling, West Virginia , within the Oglebay Park Good Zoo . In 1994, the shorter name American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA)

3350-440: The horns range between 75 and 99 cm (29.5 and 39 in). The horns of bongos are spiraled, and share this trait with those of the related antelope species of nyalas , sitatungas , bushbucks , kudus , and elands . The horns of bongos twist once. Unlike deer , which have branched antlers shed annually, bongos and other antelopes have unbranched horns they keep throughout their lives. Like all other horns of antelopes,

3417-468: The male are longer and more massive. All bongos in captivity are from the isolated Aberdare Mountains of central Kenya . The bongo sports a bright auburn or chestnut coat, with the neck, chest, and legs generally darker than the rest of the body, especially in males. Coats of male bongos become darker as they age until they reach a dark mahogany -brown colour. Coats of female bongos are usually more brightly coloured than those of males. The eastern bongo

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3484-575: The nursery herds. Their horns grow rapidly and begin to show in 3.5 months. They are weaned after six months and reach sexual maturity at about 20 months. Bongos are found in tropical jungles with dense undergrowth up to an altitude of 4,000 m (13,000 ft) in Central Africa, with isolated populations in Kenya , and these West African countries: Cameroon , the Central African Republic ,

3551-447: The penguins. This small dark exhibit is also home to a Lesser bushbaby . This exhibit features an 82,000-gallon pool for California sea lions and a 1,600-gallon touch tank for sting rays and small sharks, along with space for education programs and special events. This $ 5.5 million exhibit was opened in 2013. The exhibit features cougars and jaguars and has a Southwest United States theme. The animals’ area has rock outcroppings,

3618-422: The preservation of larger areas of bongo habitat than national parks, especially in remote regions of Central Africa, where possibilities for commercially successful tourism are very limited. The eastern/mountain bongo's survival in the wild is dependent on more effective protection of the surviving remnant populations in Kenya. If this does not occur, it will eventually become extinct in the wild. The existence of

3685-472: The primary natural predators ( lions are seldom encountered due to differing habitat preferences); pythons sometimes eat bongo calves. Humans prey on them for their pelts , horns, and meat, with the species being a common local source for "bush meat". Bongo populations have been greatly reduced by hunting, poaching , and animal trapping , although some bongo refuges exist. Although bongos are quite easy for humans to catch using snares, many people native to

3752-460: The program as of 2019. The association has a computerized database called the Annual Report on Conservation and Science . This helps track AZA research projects worldwide. AZA member zoos and aquariums contribute $ 220 million to conservation projects each year. They participate in 115 reintroduction programs, including more than 40 programs for species listed as threatened or endangered under

3819-416: The public on a predictable basis. Mountain bongo The bongo ( Tragelaphus eurycerus ) is a large, mostly nocturnal , forest -dwelling antelope , native to sub-Saharan Africa . Bongos are characterised by a striking reddish-brown coat, black and white markings, white-yellow stripes, and long slightly spiralled horns. It is the only tragelaphid in which both sexes have horns. Bongos have

3886-403: The railroad was renovated to make room for a third parking deck, including a realignment of a portion of the route, a renovated platform, and a new train maintenance building. In 2020, Investors Bank (now merged with Citizens Bank, N.A. ) became the official sponsor of the railroad. The Endangered Species Carousel, a custom carousel built by Chance Rides and opened in 2008, is located inside

3953-425: The relentless expansion of human settlement. Its long-term survival will only be assured in areas which receive active protection and management. At present, such areas comprise about 30,000 km , and several are in countries where political stability is fragile. So, a realistic possibility exists whereby its status could decline to Threatened in the near future. As the largest and most spectacular forest antelope,

4020-430: The rest of the zoo in 1963. The railroad originally operated two S-24 Iron Horse trains manufactured by Allan Herschell . These were replaced in 1984 and 1999 by two C. P. Huntington trains manufactured by Chance Rides . In April 2015, the railroad received a third C. P. Huntington locomotive from a Livingston resident as part of a program to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's death. From 2019 to 2020,

4087-592: The shoulder to the rump; the white stripes run into this ridge. A white chevron appears between the eyes, with two large white spots on each cheek. Another white chevron occurs where the neck meets the chest. Bongos have no special secretion glands, so rely likely less on scent to find one another than do other similar antelopes. The lips of a bongo are white, topped with a black muzzle. Bongos have two heavy and slightly spiralled horns that slope over their backs. Bongo males have larger backswept horns, while females have smaller, thinner, and more parallel horns. The size of

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4154-496: The situation in the wild has been less promising. Evidence exists of bongo surviving in Kenya. However, these populations are believed to be small, fragmented, and vulnerable to extinction. Animal populations with impoverished genetic diversity are inherently less able to adapt to changes in their environments (such as climate change, disease outbreaks, habitat change, etc.). The isolation of the four remaining small bongo populations, which themselves would appear to be in decline, means

4221-407: The species during the 1890s. Tragelaphus eurycerus may suffer from goitre . Over the course of the disease, the thyroid glands greatly enlarge (up to 10 x 20 cm) and may become polycystic . Pathogenesis of goiter in the bongo may reflect a mixture of genetic predisposition coupled with environmental factors, including a period of exposure to a goitrogen . Leopards and spotted hyenas are

4288-414: The western/lowland bongo is both an important flagship species for protected areas such as national parks, and a major trophy species which has been taken in increasing numbers in Central Africa by sport hunters during the 1990s. Both of these factors are strong incentives to provide effective protection and management of populations. Trophy hunting has the potential to provide economic justification for

4355-460: The zoo to cease, citing traffic congestion and disruption of the surrounding South Mountain Reservation. In July 2019, Essex County officials announced the construction of a proposed amphitheater, grizzly bear exhibit, and overnight camping. Essex County officials reported in September 2019 that as a result of the backlash, the amphitheater was scaled back, though no exact details were released. Due to

4422-852: Was adopted. In early 2018, AZA acquired the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance to help grow public awareness about the purchase and sale of illegal wildlife products in the United States. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums reported 195 million visitors to its 236 accredited member facilities in 2017. The organization is active in institution accreditation , animal care initiatives, education and conservation programs, collaborative research and advocacy. AZA serves as an accrediting body for zoos and aquariums and ensures accredited facilities meet higher standards of animal care than required by law. Institutions are evaluated every five years in order to ensure standards are met and to maintain accreditation. As of 2019 AZA had 238 accredited facilities in

4489-547: Was used to improve the facilities, and in 2006 the zoo received its first accreditation. New facilities included the Essex County Animal Hospital on zoo grounds, and a new 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m) entrance/administrative complex with a 4,000-square-foot (370 m) reptile center, classrooms, and an auditorium. In 2023, zoo attendance reached almost a million visitors for the first time in its history. Residents of Essex County have lobbied for expansion of

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