Lightning strikes NJ zoo, causing fire: officials

WEST ORANGE, N.J. (PIX11) – A group of sea turtles in West Orange are recovering after lightning struck the Turtle Back Zoo on Wednesday night, causing a fire, according to zoo officials.

Lightning hit a turtle hospital that helps treat sick turtles and return them to the wild, the zoo confirmed in a Facebook post.

One endangered turtle named Pickles needed emergency treatment because of the heavy smoke.

All the turtles were relocated to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society in New York for their safety, the zoo wrote.

Sea Turtle Recovery , a separate nonprofit inside the Turtle Back Zoo, is asking for donations to help the turtles recover. To find out more about how to donate, click here .

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018 . She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here .

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