Turtle Back Zoo Unveils Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center with Public Transparency

The Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, New Jersey, officially inaugurated the Barry H. Ostrowsky Animal Wellness Center on April 8, 2025, marking a significant upgrade to the facility’s operational core within the South Mountain Reservation.

This new 10,000-square-foot center is designed to elevate animal care standards, driven by the increasing diversity of the zoo's collection and the evolving requirements set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the USDA. The facility, designed by Comito Associates of Newark under a $445,000 professional services contract, was constructed by Dobco Inc. of Wayne via a $17,045,000 public bid contract. The building replaces the former Wolf Woods Exhibit, which was closed following the passing of three wolves due to age-related health issues.

A key feature of the center is its integration of operational transparency with visitor experience. Public viewing windows allow guests to observe routine medical procedures, such as the examination of a sulcata tortoise involving X-rays and microchip implantation. Furthermore, surgery suites are equipped with cameras broadcasting procedures live to designated viewing areas, positioning the Turtle Back Zoo among a select group of U.S. zoos offering this level of public insight into veterinary care.

The design explicitly aims to educate the public on the zoo’s commitment to high-level care standards and foster community trust. The center includes dedicated wings for quarantined and hospitalized animals, a critical measure for enhancing biosecurity across the animal population. This new infrastructure also improves diagnostic capabilities, reducing the previous reliance on external partnerships for procedures like CT scans.

The facility is named in honor of Barry H. Ostrowsky, the former President and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health; the zoo’s prior animal hospital, opened in 2005, was also named for him in 2022 before the name was transferred to this new center. Beyond clinical spaces, the center features an atrium serving as a lobby, exhibition area, and seminar room, complete with educational displays highlighting the five-domain model of animal welfare.

As an AZA-accredited member since 2006, the Turtle Back Zoo reinforces its role in recreation, education, and conservation through this modern medical complex. The facility underscores Essex County’s dedication to providing contemporary accommodations for its animal residents while offering the public a distinct view into its commitment to animal well-being.