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other’s company. After the langur cleared the standard quarantine, our keepers
COOPERATIVE
CONSERVATION
by Tim L.Tetzlaff
ANaples Zoo Director of Conservation
s you stroll through the gardens at Naples Zoo,
I’m willing to guess your first thought isn’t how
all these animals got here. And that’s good.
Better to stand in awe at the wonders of the
natural world while gazing into a tiger’s eyes. Yet that visceral 45 mph for a three-mile-long panther zone only adds one minute of driving
experience wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of
an enormous number of people across the nation’s accredited
zoos, conservation organizations, and wildlife agencies. As
you see what’s new at the Zoo below, reflect on the number
of different parties involved. Collectively, these represent
thousands of keepers, scientists, veterinarians, researchers,
rangers, and conservationists who do everything from daily
care to assessing the risks these animals face in the wild.
Passionate people who dedicate their lives to the animals we
all love – very literally with their blood, sweat, and tears. And
they wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope you enjoy reading
what we’ve been up to lately.
LANGUR AND SIAMANG
ENJOYING ISLAND LIFE TOGETHER
Just recently, we welcomed a female Hanuman langur
from the Chattanooga Zoo. Named after Hanuman, the
Hindu monkey god, this Asian primate can often be seen
around temples in India. Like our female siamang, she was
temporarily housed by herself. As neither was recommended
for breeding, we thought these two ladies might enjoy each
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moved our siamang from the island into an area where zoo staff could readily
monitor the introduction. Everything went as hoped for and you can now see
them on the Primate Expedition Cruise as they hang out together on their
own private island.
MALAGASY MOVES
As part of the Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for fosas, our older female
fosa received a breeding recommendation which requires a move to another
accredited zoo. During her time in Naples, she gave birth to four fosa cubs.
These fascinating carnivores are vulnerable to extinction on the island of
Madagascar. Taking her place are two red-ruffed lemurs that are now listed
as critically endangered. Their range is limited to the Masoala peninsula in
northeast Madagascar – a region that experienced devastating illegal logging
following a political coup in 2009. Our male arrived from the Bronx Zoo and
the female came from Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas. Per the SSP, this city boy
and country girl are recommended for breeding. And don’t worry fosa fans,
you can still see two of the cubs that were born here right next to the new
lemurs.
ORPHAN PANTHER KITTEN
GETS SECOND CHANCE
This past summer, we opened up an exhibit for Uno, the Florida panther
that survived two shotgun blasts but was left blinded. As part of this new
exhibit, the Zoo also created an area behind the scenes where Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists could bring panthers that
needed short term care. Just a few months later, our facility received its first
feline visitor: a kitten orphaned after her mother was killed in a car accident.
This adorable kitten is a powerful reminder to slow down in the posted
panther zones. Please remind your friends that slowing down from 60 mph to
time to the trip, but could give panthers a lifetime.
WATER-LOVING CRANES AND ANTELOPE
Last year, we welcomed a pair of black crowned cranes from San Diego
Safari Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These elegant birds are found in
Life in Naples | January 2016