Sat May 13: Drink Beer. Help Panthers.
Craft brewery and zoo collaborating to help wild panthers
To offer the community a fun way to help our state’s panthers, Riptide Brewing Company and Naples Zoo are collaborating again for “Brew for the Zoo.” At the event, attendees can enjoy limited-time brews of Uno Ale and Athena Ale, named for panthers associated with Naples Zoo. Riptide will donate $2 from each pint sold. A limited number of 4-pack cans with custom art and commemorative t-shirts will also be available with a portion of each sale supporting panthers. The event takes place all day at Riptide’s Naples brewery located at 987 3rd Avenue North in Naples on Saturday, May 13. Riptide opens at noon and food trucks will be there from 2 pm to 10 pm with live music from 6 pm to 10 pm. Naples Zoo staff will be at Riptide from 3 pm to 7 pm providing Panther Crossing vehicle decals to all who commit to driving posted speeds in wildlife crossing zones.
All proceeds benefit panthers in the wild.
“Riptide has been a key partner in raising needed funding for panther conservation through our ongoing partnership in this annual event since 2016,” explains Naples Zoo President and CEO. “Cheers to Riptide and the commitment of this family-owned business!” Kim West, Riptide Brewing Company’s CEO states, “100 percent of the funds raised from Brew for the Zoo go directly towards panther survival through the zoo as well as their state and Federal partners. We are both proud and honored to be a part of this ongoing tradition.”
Athena the Florida panther herself is getting involved creating custom art for auction by adding her painted paw print stylings to canvas and for the first time ever she will paint on art prints of Big Cypress National Preserve where she was born along with a canvas photo of herself. A custom behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo’s facilities where they provide care for injured or orphaned panthers is also up for bid. Bids can be made at the event or online and 100% of proceeds benefit efforts for Florida panthers in the wild through the Naples Zoo Conservation Fund.
Beyond support for panthers in the wild which these funds are dedicated to, Naples Zoo also operates a temporary rehabilitation facility. In addition, their on-site Glass Animal Hospital and full-time veterinary team provides diagnostic and treatment facilities for injured and orphaned panthers to receive emergency aid followed by ongoing support from a few days to a few months by the zoo’s professional animal care staff. These efforts are supported by zoo operations made possible by visits by daily guests and zoo members.
Since 2014, the nonprofit Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens has invested over 3 million dollars in saving plants and animals in the wild and fully funds the annual salaries of 16 field staff including two wildlife veterinarians in seven countries.