Inventing a Girl

Tuesday, February 13th, 1996.

Animal magnetism spurs fight to save the Turtle Zoo

By Diane C. Walsh

(Excerpt)

When 8-year-old Lily Borenstein-Burd heard Essex Couunty might close theTurtle Back Zoo, she got upset and decided she was going to try to save it.

"I really don't think it's fair," she said. "I really want to be near a zoo."

After talking with friends, Lily's "Zillions for the Zoo", a children's campaign to keep the zoo open, was born in the Boresntein-Burds' living room in Elizabeth.

"I know they need about a million dollars, "the ambitious second grader said. "But, I don't think I'm going to be able to raise that much. I want to do a bout a thousand dollars."

To start, Lily and her little brother, Russell, 5, are collecting coins in five canisters by going door-to-door and giving other canisters to her friends.

Also planned are a bake sale and organizing a special children's day at the zoo to emphasize the facility's importance to youngsters.

"They (friends) say it's a good idea," she said

On Sundays the Borenstein-Burds often visit the zoo in West Orange for family outings. Their mother, Paula Borenstein, says the children are at "home" at the zoo.

Lily's vavourites are the wolves &endash;Zaphod, Hera and Tybor and her brother's "in love with the monkeys there."

Lily might have been inspired by her new favorite video "Dawn Saves the Trees." But she grew up in a home of activists and volunteers. her mother is the former head of the tenants' organization in Elizabeth and her grandmother is a volunteer for many civic groups. Lily is not alone i her zoo-saving efforts.

Zachary Levy, a second grader from St. cloud School in West Orange, circulated a petition around the school yesterday so country officials can understand the children's feeling. Zachary wrote the petition himself and said Turtle Back should remain open "because children like to see the fascinating animals."

Zachary's love of the zoo is shared by his family. His mother, Rena, explained that her parents have sponsored several animals and when her sister, Lori Levine, died in 1989, they provided the funds for the Golden Eagle exhibit in her memory.

Lily and Zachary's families are trying to enlist other children and parents to help their zoo-saving efforts. Many concerned parents and members of the Zoological Society of New Jersey Inc. are expected to speak at tonight's meeting of the Essex County freeholders in Livingston to try to persuade the legislative body to continue funding the zoo.