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66-536: 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,

132-613: 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,

198-505: A certain threshold, an increase in sweating and panting is also observed. Common elands use their sparse fur coats to dissipate excess heat via reradiation. The dewlap is also believed to play a role in thermoregulation. Due to its high surface area to volume ratio, it may allow for efficient thermoregulation in larger common elands with larger dewlaps. Females are sexually mature at 15 to 36 months and males at 4 to 5 years. Mating may occur anytime after reaching sexual maturity, but

264-693: 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

330-590: 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

396-561: 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

462-517: A loud clicking sound that has been subject to considerable speculation. The weight of the animal may cause the two halves of its hooves to splay apart, and the clicking is the result of the hoof snapping together when the animal raises its leg. The sound carries some distance from a herd, and may be a form of communication. Giant eland Common eland Greater kudu Mountain nyala Bongo Sitatunga Cape bushbuck Harnessed bushbuck Lowland nyala Lesser kudu The common eland

528-1553: A low density of elands exists in Africa due to poaching and human settlement. Elands prefer to live in semiarid areas that contain many shrub-like bushes, and often inhabit grasslands, woodlands, subdesert, bush, and mountaintops with altitudes of about 15,000 ft (4,600 m). Elands do, however, avoid forests, swamps and deserts. The places inhabited by elands generally contain Acacia , Combretum , Commiphora , Diospyros , Grewia , Rhus , and Ziziphus trees and shrubs; some of these also serve as their food. Eland can be found in many national parks and reserves today, including Nairobi National Park and Tsavo East National Park , Tsavo West National Park , Masai Mara National Reserve , (Kenya); Serengeti National Park , Ruaha National Park and Tarangire National Park , Ngorongoro Crater , (Tanzania); Kagera National Park (Rwanda); Nyika National Park (Malawi); Lake Mburo National Park (Uganda); Kidepo Valley National Park (Uganda); Luangwa Valley and Kafue National Park (Zambia); Hwange National Park , Matobo National Park , Tuli Safari Area and Chimanimani Eland Sanctuary (Zimbabwe); Kruger National Park , Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park , Giant's Castle and Suikerbosrand NR (South Africa). They live on home ranges that can be 200–400 km for females and juveniles and 50 km for males. Common elands are nomadic and crepuscular . They eat in

594-469: A male goat, referring to the tuft of hair that grows in the eland's ear and its resemblance to a goat's beard. Oryx is Latin and Greek ( genitive : orygos ) for pickaxe , referring to the pointed horns of North African antelopes like the common eland and scimitar-horned oryx . The name "eland" is Afrikaans for "elk" or "moose", from Dutch eland , from obsolete German Elend , probably from obsolete Lithuanian ellenis . When Dutch settlers came to

660-513: 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

726-572: A spinal crest) that are absent in the south. Apart from a rough mane, the coat is smooth. Females have a tan coat, while the coats of males are darker, with a bluish-grey tinge. Bulls may also have a series of vertical white stripes on their sides (mainly in parts of the Karoo in South Africa ). As males age, their coat becomes more grey. Males also have dense fur on their foreheads and a large dewlap on their throats. Both sexes have horns with

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792-530: A steady spiral ridge (resembling that of the bushbuck ). The horns are visible as small buds in newborns and grow rapidly during the first seven months. The horns of males are thicker and shorter than those of females (males' horns are 43–66 cm (17–26 in) long and females' are 51–69 cm (20–27 in) long), and have a tighter spiral. Males use their horns during rutting season to wrestle and butt heads with rivals, while females use their horns to protect their young from predators. The common eland

858-404: 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,

924-467: A trophy animal. Common elands have also been widely domesticated in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Russia, and Ukraine. The common eland is sometimes farmed and hunted for its meat, and in some cases can be better used than cattle because it is more suited to African climates. This has led to some Southern African farmers switching from cattle to eland. Common elands are also pictured as supporters in

990-406: 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

1056-408: 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

1122-623: 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

1188-710: 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

1254-402: 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

1320-458: Is mostly seen in the rainy season. In Zambia, young are born in July and August, while elsewhere this is the mating season. Mating begins when elands gather to feed on lush, green plains with plentiful grass, and some males and females start mating with each other in separate pairs. Males chase the females to find out if they are in estrus . They also test the female's urine. Usually, a female chooses

1386-586: Is no longer present in Burundi . While the common eland's population is decreasing, it is classified as of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature . The scientific name of the common eland is Taurotragus oryx , composed of three words: tauros , tragos , and oryx . Tauros is Greek for a bull or bullock, meaning the same as the Latin taurus . Tragos is Greek for

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1452-428: Is obtained from their food, though they drink water when available. As they quickly adjust to the surroundings due to seasonal changes and other causes, they change their feeding habits. They also use their horns to break off branches that are hard to reach. Common elands have several thermoregulatory adaptations to help them withstand the extreme temperatures of their environments. Using peripheral thermal receptors on

1518-419: 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 ,

1584-502: Is richer in milkfat than cow milk. The pleasant-tasting milk has a butterfat content of 11-17% and can be stored for up to eight months if properly prepared, versus several days for cow milk. Housing common elands is difficult due to their ability to jump over fences as high as 3 m (9.8 ft) or simply break through using their substantial mass. Sometimes, wild elands break through enclosures to mix with domesticated ones. Common elands can reproduce in captivity, but calf survival

1650-536: Is the second-largest antelope in the world, being slightly smaller on average than the giant eland . It was scientifically described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1766. Mainly a herbivore , its diet is primarily grasses and leaves. Common elands form herds of up to 500 animals, but are not territorial . The common eland prefers habitats with a wide variety of flowering plants such as savannah, woodlands , and open and montane grasslands ; it avoids dense forests . It uses loud barks, visual and postural movements, and

1716-477: Is the slowest antelope, with a peak speed of 40 km/h (25 mph) that tires them quickly. However, they can maintain a 22 km/h (14 mph) trot indefinitely. Elands are capable of jumping up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) from a standing start when startled (up to 3 m (9.8 ft) for young elands). The common eland's life expectancy is generally between 15 and 20 years; in captivity, some live up to 25 years. Eland herds are accompanied by

1782-460: 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

1848-617: 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

1914-547: 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

1980-612: 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

2046-582: The Cape of Good Hope , creating the Dutch Cape Colony , they named the animal after the large, herbivorous moose . In Dutch, the animal is called "eland antelope" to distinguish it from the moose, which is found in the northern boreal forests. Common elands are spiral-horned antelopes. They are sexually dimorphic , with females being smaller than the males. Females weigh 300–600 kg (660–1,320 lb), measure 200–280 cm (79–110 in) from

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2112-532: The Holocene in Algeria . In 2010, a genetic study was made basing on the evolutionary history of common elands. Using material from East and Southern Africa, analysis of mitochondrial DNA control-region fragments from 122 individuals revealed information concerning the phylogeography, genetic diversity, and demographic history of the species. The conclusions supported the presence of a long-standing population in

2178-580: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park . This was believed to be due to the absence of male kudus in the herd. The hybrid produced was sterile. The study confirmed the chromosome numbers of both the eland and the kudu and the strangeness of their attached Y chromosomes. Attempt matings of male elands with domestic ( Bos primigenius ) and zebu cows ( Bos indicus ) indicated the species are not able to interbreed. Female elands have acted as surrogates for bongos . The Bovidae family ancestors of

2244-595: The coat of arms of Grootfontein , Namibia. Common elands have a mild temperament and have been successfully domesticated for meat and milk production in South Africa and Russia. Their need for water is quite low because they produce urine with a high urea content, but they require a substantial grazing area, along with salt licks and large amounts of supplementary feed such as maize , sorghum , melons , and beans , which can be expensive. A female can produce up to 7 kg (15 lb) of milk per day that

2310-646: The flehmen response to communicate and warn others of danger. The common eland is used by humans for leather , and meat and has been domesticated in southern Africa. Eland milk contains more butterfat than cow's milk, and can keep longer without pasteurising . It is native to Angola , Botswana , the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Eswatini , Ethiopia , Kenya , Lesotho , Malawi , Mozambique , Namibia , Rwanda , South Africa , South Sudan , Tanzania , Uganda , Zambia , and Zimbabwe , but

2376-473: The short arm of an autosome . Both the X chromosome and Y chromosome replicate late; they do not match well and are variable. The chromosomes resemble those of the greater kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros ). Male elands and female greater kudus can produce a viable male hybrid , though whether it is sterile is unknown. An accidental crossing of an East African common eland ( T. o. pattersonianus' ) with an East African kudu ( T. s. bea ) occurred in

2442-574: 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

2508-708: 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

2574-464: 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

2640-679: 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

2706-507: 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

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2772-620: 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

2838-851: The United States Endangered Species Act, and regulated in international trade by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species . A 2016 assessment for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List estimates the number of mature individuals to be 90,000-110,000, with populations considered stable or increasing in the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania. The population is, however, gradually decreasing due to habitat loss, caused by expanding human settlements and poaching for its superior meat. As they are docile and inactive most of

2904-788: 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

2970-582: The appropriate phase of their estrous cycle, as well as to indicate their lack of fertility when harassed by males. If eland bulls find any of their predators nearby, they bark and attempt to attract the attention of others by trotting back and forth until the entire herd is conscious of the danger. Some of their main predators include lions , African wild dogs , cheetahs , and spotted hyenas . Eland calves are more vulnerable than adults to their predators. Common elands are herbivores that browse during drier winter, but have also adapted to grazing during

3036-485: The common eland arose approximately 20 million years ago in Africa; fossils are found throughout Africa and France, but the best records are in sub-Saharan Africa. The first members of the tribe Tragelaphini appear six million years ago during the late Miocene . An extinct ancestor of the common eland ( Taurotragus arkelli ) appears in the Pleistocene in northern Tanzania and the first T. oryx fossil appears in

3102-529: 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)

3168-781: The morning and evening, rest in shade when hot, and remain in sunlight when cold. They are commonly found in herds numbering up to 500, with individual members remaining in the herd from several hours to several months. Juveniles and mothers tend to form larger herds, while males may separate into smaller groups or wander individually. During estrus , mainly in the rainy season, groups tend to form more regularly. In Southern Africa, common elands will often associate with herds of zebras , roan antelopes and oryxes . Common elands communicate via gestures, vocalizations, scent cues , and display behaviors . The flehmen response also occurs, primarily in males in response to contact with female urine or genitals. Females urinate to indicate fertility during

3234-556: The most dominant and fit male to mate with. Sometimes, she runs away from males trying to mate, causing more attraction. This results in fights between males, in which their hard horns are used. A female allows a male to mount after two to four hours. Males usually keep close contact with females in the mating period. The dominant male can mate with more than one female. Females have a gestation period of nine months, and give birth to only one calf each time. Males, females, and juveniles each form separate social groups. The male groups are

3300-642: The nursery group, while the mother returns to the female group. The calves leave the nursery group when they are at least two years old and join a male or female group. Common elands are resistant to trypanosomiasis , a protozoan infection that has the tsetse fly as a vector , but not to the Rhipicephalus -transmitted disease theileriosis . The disease-causing bacterium Theileria taurotragi has caused many eland deaths. Clostridium chauvoei , another bacterium, can be harmful, as well. Elands are also hosts to several kinds of ticks . In one study, an eland

3366-447: 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,

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3432-467: 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

3498-581: The public on a predictable basis. Common eland The common eland ( Taurotragus oryx ), also known as the southern eland or eland antelope , is a large-sized savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa . An adult male is around 1.6 m (5.2 ft) tall at the shoulder and can weigh up to 942 kg (2,077 lb) with a typical range of 500–600 kg (1,100–1,300 lb). Females are around 1.4 m (4.6 ft) tall and weigh 340–445 kg (750–981 lb). It

3564-403: 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

3630-476: The rainy season when grasses are more common and nutritious. They require a high- protein diet of succulent leaves from flowering plants , but will consume lower-quality plant material if available, including forbs , trees, shrubs, grasses, seeds, and tubers. Grasses that elands eat include Setaria and Themeda and fruits from Securinega and Strychnos . Large antelope can survive on lower-quality food in times of little rain. Most of their water

3696-430: 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,

3762-501: The skin, elands can sense heat and increase or decrease evaporative cooling accordingly. On sunnier days, common elands maintain a cooler skin temperature relative to their inner body temperature. Elands achieve cooler skin temperatures by increasing cutaneous evaporation . This allows them to feel cooler, even though their internal body temperature stays relatively the same throughout the day. The eland can also conserve water by increasing its body temperature. When temperatures rise above

3828-481: The smallest; the members stay together and search for food or water sources. The female group is much larger and covers greater areas. They travel the grassy plains in wet periods and prefer bushy areas in dry periods. Females have a complex linear hierarchy . The nursery and juvenile group is naturally formed when females give birth to calves. After about 24 hours of the delivery, the mother and calf join this group. The calves start befriending each other and stay back in

3894-546: The snout to the base of the tail and stand 125–153 cm (49–60 in) at the shoulder. Bulls weigh 400–942 kg (882–2,077 lb), are 240–345 cm (94–136 in) from the snout to the base of the tail and stand 150–183 cm (59–72 in) at the shoulder. The tail is 50–90 cm (20–35 in) long. Male elands can weigh up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). Their coat differs geographically, with elands in northern part of their range having distinctive markings (torso stripes, markings on legs, dark garters and

3960-462: The southern Africa and a mosaic of Pleistocene refugia in eastern Africa. The similarity of dates obtained from other studies indicates a significant genetic event around 200 ka. Common elands live on the open plains of Southern Africa and along the foothills of the great southern African plateau. The species extends north into Ethiopia and most arid zones of South Sudan , west into eastern Angola and Namibia , and south to South Africa . However,

4026-867: The time, they can easily be killed. The species became extinct in Eswatini and Zimbabwe , but has been reintroduced. The IUCN states that about half of the estimated total population lives in protected areas and 30% on private land. Protected areas that support major populations include Omo (Ethiopia), Serengeti , Katavi, Ruaha, and Selous-Kilombero (Tanzania), Kafue and North Luangwa ( Zambia ), Nyika ( Malawi ), Etosha ( Namibia ), Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park ( Botswana / South Africa ) and Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (South Africa). Most of these populations appear to be stable. Relatively large numbers of common elands now live on private land, particularly in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, reflecting its value as

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4092-466: 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

4158-864: 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

4224-604: Was first described in 1766 by German zoologist and botanist Peter Simon Pallas . It belongs to the order Artiodactyla , family Bovidae , and subfamily Bovinae . Common elands are sometimes considered part of the genus Tragelaphus on the basis of molecular phylogenetics , but are usually categorized as Taurotragus , along with the giant eland ( T. derbianus ). Three subspecies of common elands have been recognized, though their validity has been disputed. Male elands have 31 diploid chromosomes and females have 32. The male (Y) chromosome has been translocated to

4290-568: Was found to be host to the Amblyomma species A. gemma and A. variegatum , and Rhipicephalus species R. decoloratus , R. appendiculatus , R. evertsi , R. pulchellus and R. pravus . Elands produce antibodies for Brucella bacteria, but none for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis or various types of pneumonia like contagious bovine pneumonia and contagious caprine pneumonia, normally infectious in cows or antelopes. Currently, common elands are not endangered. They are conserved by

4356-559: 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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