A lightning strike ignited a fire at the Sea Turtle Recovery hospital within New Jersey’s Turtle Back Zoo on Wednesday night, leading to the evacuation of its sea turtle patients. The incident, reported by both Sea Turtle Recovery and the zoo, occurred around 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
The West Orange Fire Department and emergency responders swiftly arrived on the scene to combat the blaze. Sea Turtle Recovery was alerted by zoo staff and arrived to find the facility engulfed in flames.
The turtles were exposed to heavy smoke, prompting their immediate relocation to a secure building within the zoo. Bill Deerr, co-executive director of Sea Turtle Recovery, described the turtles as showing signs of distress, though they were active and swimming more frequently than usual due to the smoke.
Among those affected was Pickles, a critically endangered Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle being treated for a respiratory infection. Emergency examinations revealed Pickles’ heart rate was critically low. Following instructions from Dr. Paluch, the organization’s veterinarian, staff administered medication and used an emergency pool to encourage deeper breathing. Pickles has since returned to normal behavior.
Other displaced sea turtles, including a Loggerhead, Green Sea Turtle, and three Kemp’s Ridleys, were stabilized and transferred to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society in Long Island, approximately four hours away.
Sea Turtle Recovery staff are currently working to set up new tanks, procure supplies, and arrange accommodations at a local hotel. The full extent of the damage, including impacts on filtration systems and tanks, remains undetermined.
As the busy fall season approaches, when 800 to 1,000 turtles typically wash up along the northeastern coastline, Sea Turtle Recovery is working to resume operations as quickly as possible. The organization, New Jersey’s only long-term care facility for sea turtles, has released 122 animals in its seven-year history.
Deerr described the situation as an emotional challenge but emphasized that the focus remains on ensuring the health and care of their patients. The Turtle Back Zoo continued its operations for the final summer hours on Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., despite the closure of the damaged Sea Turtle Recovery hospital.
To support Sea Turtle Recovery, donations can be made through their website or by texting “SEATURTLE” to 202-858-1233.