Thursday, June 23, 2022
Naples Zoo is excited to share the launch of the Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) Committee to create positive change and build a more inclusive culture at the Zoo and in our community! DEAI initiative was set forth by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in 2020 as a fifth promise to their strategic plan. We believe that these qualities foster valuable talents, perspectives, and personality traits that make our Zoo a stronger, more welcoming...
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at Thursday, June 23, 2022
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Naples Zoo Welcomes Critically Endangered Malayan Tiger
The return of a tiger animal ambassador to Naples Zoo is very important to the Zoo and their conservation efforts. The goal of having a tiger at the Zoo is to inspire guests to learn more about tigers and how they can help them in the wild. Malayan tigers are critically endangered, with a breeding population below 200 tigers in the wild. Their biggest conservation threats are habitat loss and poaching. There are easy ways to help...
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at Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Thursday, October 7, 2021
By Lee Ann Rottman, Naples Zoo's Director of Animal Programs
I recently got the opportunity to travel to West Africa to assist the Tacagama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone. The sanctuary is home to 105 chimpanzees that were confiscated from poachers or people who held them illegally as pets. Most come in as tiny babies and have suffered the trauma of losing their mothers and their chimpanzee families. They take time to rehabilitate, but getting them back with other...
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Courtney Jolly
at
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Friday, June 18, 2021
By Tim Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation
Big Cypress National Preserve began a scout snake tracking program in 2017. After veterinarians surgically implant transmitters, biologists track them to gain useful information to reduce the population of these invasive species over time. More immediately, however, these few “double agent” snakes connect with many more pythons, who are removed to reduce the overall impact on native wildlife.
One of these scout snakes...
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at Friday, June 18, 2021
Friday, April 9, 2021
By Maggie Woosley, Director of Education
Today is the start of the 50th anniversary celebration of Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). While it’s Naples Zoo’s mission to inspire all ages to respect, value, and help conserve wildlife and our natural world, we’re particularly passionate about educating young children and inspiring them to be environmental stewards.
We want to...
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at Friday, April 9, 2021
Friday, September 4, 2020
By Kirsti Mahon, Naples Zoo Show Keeper
Though my animal training career began almost 10 years ago working with dolphins, my heart landed working with land mammals and birds. Never did I imagine that one of my favorites would be vultures. Our resident black vulture, Omen, has not only taught me so much in regard to training, but he has also inspired me to be an advocate for vultures all over the world.
Unfortunately, due to negative media and a deep misunderstanding, vultures get a...
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at Friday, September 4, 2020
Monday, June 22, 2020
By Danielle L. Green, Director of Gardens & Grounds
Zoo horticulture is a unique blend of specialties that work with plants but often include skills in arboriculture. A “zoo arborist” shares many skills and tree care goals with municipal arborist but perform under a unique set of circumstances not often encountered in a municipal setting.
The life of a tree in the zoo environment can be tough. Thankfully, many tools and techniques exist that can improve...
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at Monday, June 22, 2020
Friday, June 12, 2020
By Tim Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation
I wanted to share some thoughts on giraffe as World Giraffe Day is coming up (June 21). Giraffes are already top of mind for me as we’re currently creating a new elevated giraffe viewing area here at the zoo. It got me reflecting on these giants and for some reason firsts stick in my mind and so I’m sharing the photos that go with them. Oddly enough, my first giraffe memories are life-size fiberglass giraffes in the Cedar Point theme park...
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at Friday, June 12, 2020
Monday, February 24, 2020
By Vittoria Vaturi, Naples Zoo Reptile Keeper
Growing up, my love for nature and wildlife started with amphibians. I have early memories of being in my backyard watching frogs jumping into a pond and living their natural lives. It was at that moment I knew I wanted a career with wildlife. I made that dream a reality when I became a reptile keeper here at Naples Zoo. My dreams came true again this year when I traveled to El Valle, Panama to help with Project Golden Frog.
...
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at Monday, February 24, 2020
Monday, February 3, 2020
By Kelsey Burr, Digital Marketing Manager
If you’ve visited Naples Zoo lately, you may have noticed two new adorable faces in the bongo and gazelle yards. A male Eastern bongo calf was born December 30, 2019 to parents Amara and Sebastian, and a male slender-horned gazelle was born January 22, 2020 to parents Clyde and Clover.
The gazelle calf is named Colby-Jack, a special name for a few reasons. First, since his parents are named Clyde and Clover, his keepers wanted a...
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at Monday, February 3, 2020