Page 28 - life-in-naples-march-2016

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by Tim L.Tetzlaff

LNaples Zoo Director of Conservation
ast summer, Naples Zoo created a permanent home for a blind panther that also
included space away from the public area to give temporary care for injured or
orphaned panthers. Already, the Zoo has taken in two more panthers. The first
arrival was a now seven-month-old female that was orphaned in October when
her mother was killed by a vehicle. The latest arrival came in January – a 2 to 3 month old
male. Naples Zoo’s carnivore team provided care for these young cats behind the scenes as part
of a collaborative effort with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). As the population of panthers and people
continue to grow, partnerships will be key to both educate Floridians and care for the state’s
wildlife.

SASSY THE SURVIVOR

FWC Panther Biologist Mark Lotz has been involved in every panther coming into Naples
Zoo including both of the new kittens. “Having a local resource like the Naples Zoo has proven
invaluable. We had no idea that we’d be relying on them so quickly and as frequently. Because we
can get panthers there fast, the cats are more relaxed and can quickly get the specialized care they
need,” Lotz said. “If we don’t sleep, the Zoo staff doesn’t sleep. We rescued the female panther
near Collier Seminole State Park at 11:30 p.m. and the Zoo’s Director of Animal Programs Liz

28 Life in Naples | March 2016