Turtle Back Zoo Opens Marine Aquarium

Essex County's Turtle Back Zoo officially opened Tropical Currents, the zoo's $250,000, marine-only aquarium Friday afternoon.

"We're adding fish in every day and we'll be adding more in over the next few days," said Jeremy Goodman, the zoo's director. "It's just a great opportunity for the zoo, the county and the zoological society to talk about their two newest endeavors."

The zoo also opened its neighboring miniGOLF Safari Friday.

Constance Williams, president of the Zoological Society of New Jersey, said they're happy to sponsor this exhibit in partnership with the Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafood watch program.

"It's our 35th year anniversary and it's our coral anniversary," said Williams, about the construction of the aquarium.

"This is part of our master plan," said Goodman. "That's why the zoological society picked it for their 35th anniversary project."

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said the idea for an aquarium started with Goodman.

"We wanted to change this exhibit, which used to be the squirrel exhibit, and this is just another addition to Turtle Back Zoo," he said. "And we couldn't be more excited."

Sasha Altman, of Livingston, said her favorite part of the new exhibit is "the blue fishies" and the "yellow one."