Naples Zoo News for Comcast Customers

Young South African Lions Cute, Cuddly, and Carnivorous!
The clip above was filmed during the standard quarantine time. See them in Lagoon Loop in their newly renovated exhibit below!

Don't Miss: Lions, Tigers, and Bears, '09!

2009 marks the 40th anniversary since the Tetzlaff family introduced the wild animals to the historic tropical garden. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz movie, Naples Zoo is celebrating with Lions, Tigers, and Bears, ‘09! (Oh Nine! Oh My! Cute, huh? Not as cute as the lion cubs though.)

	Now Open: Young South African Lions Just ten months old, these South African lions (Panther leo krugeri) are as adorable as they are rare. Accredited zoos have the responsibility to provide safe havens for purebred animals that represent their relatives in the wild. The genetics of these young cats can be directly traced to southern African populations. In order to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population outside the wild for at least 100 years, these South African lions participate in a Species Survival Plan® coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In a few years, we’ll exchange one of these lions with another accredited zoo to breed this rare subspecies.

	Memorial Day to Labor Day: White Tigers People have always been fascinated by rarities in the natural world. White tigers (Panthera tigris tigris), one of the most stunning of the planet’s variations, stepped out of the jungles of India in the 1950s and into the world’s imagination. And their popularity has only grown over the last half century. This natural variation on the coat color occurs only in the Bengal tiger subspecies. They are neither Siberian tigers nor are they albinos. This summer, Naples Zoo welcomes one of these stunning cats to the lush Tiger Forest exhibit where he will be seen stalking past giant bamboo or splashing in the naturalistic rockwork pool.

	May 23: Black Bear Hammock To educate guests about living safely with wild bears (Ursus americanus) in and around Naples, the Zoo is creating Black Bear Hammock, the largest black bear exhibit in an accredited zoo east of the Mississippi. In the "Natural Habitat" section the bears will be able to lounge on a railroad trestle or splash in the water. The shade on the porch of an old style Florida shack welcomes the bears while guests safely look on through 2” thick glass. The "Backyard Habitat" section also features glass viewing through a lanai overlooking a simulated suburban Florida backyard. Visitors will both have the opportunity to learn basic safety tips as well as gain a deeper appreciation of the bears’ crucial role in the local environment.
Why black bears? Although some American black bear populations are stable in the nation, Florida’s bears have been designated as a threatened species. As one of just over 200 zoos in the United States that has achieved the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ high accreditation standards, Naples Zoo plays a global role in visitor education and conservation. By focusing on Florida Black Bears, Naples Zoo continues its commitment to educating visitors about the world’s threatened species including those found here at home.

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Naples Zoo at  Caribbean Gardens     1590 Goodlette-Frank Road     Naples Florida 34102
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