Zoos in New Jersey

New Jersey packs a wide range of animal attractions into a small, densely settled state. Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, within South Mountain Reservation, has operated since 1963, covers 20 acres, and holds more than 1,400 animals as an AZA-accredited facility. Cape May County Park & Zoo, opened in 1978 in the southern tip of the state, is also AZA accredited and spreads its collection of more than 550 animals across 85 acres of exhibits. Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton dates to 1934 and is described as New Jersey's first zoo. In the north, Lakota Wolf Preserve in Columbia focuses on wolves, bobcats, foxes and lynx in the Delaware Water Gap mountains, and Space Farms Zoo and Museum has operated since 1927.