Page 28 - LIN.JANWEB

a feast

for the beasts

by Tim L. Tetzlaff
Naples Zoo Director of Conservation
N aples is known for over-the-top

fundraisers from private homes
to posh hotels – and now for
one of the best outdoor parties known as
ZOObilee: Feast with the Beasts. Mark
your calendar for Friday, February 24, 2017
from 7:00 -11:00 p.m. You’ll be part of this
deliciously wild way of gathering together
to support the award-winning nonprofit
Naples Zoo and its mission to educate
families and conserve wildlife here and
around the world.
ZOObilee breaks you out of the
ballroom to wander through the historic
botanical garden while dining on the savory
and sweet cuisines from many of Naples’
best restaurants and caterers. You’ll also
meet some of our wild friends, enjoy live
music and festive beverages, and see if you’re BABY BOYS
the winner of the raffle for the Zoo’s next
African safari! There is a little something for Naples Zoo is accredited by the prestigious Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),
everyone during this delightful evening for the organization that sets and continually raises the world’s most rigorous standards for our
guests ages 21 and over. work. We are proud to say Naples Zoo achieved its fourth accreditation in 2016. Because
And because Naples Zoo is not supported of this standing, Naples Zoo participates in Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Programs for
by tax dollars, it’s your support that enables numerous rare animals. These coordinated efforts seek to maintain healthy, genetically diverse,
our important efforts to educate the next and demographically varied populations outside the wild. Often we serve the crucial role of
generation of children and insure your caring for bachelor herds of animals like giraffe and the endangered slender horned gazelles.
favorite wildlife is around for their children Last year, the SSP recommended a pairing of red ruffed lemurs from two other accredited zoos
to appreciate. for a match to be made here in Naples. This spring, the result was the wonderful birth of two
critically endangered baby red ruffed lemurs. You can see them with mom and dad in their
newly renovated habitat next to the Malagasy fosa.
ENRICHING EDUCATION

In addition to welcoming nearly 400,000 guests a year to learn about animals through our
exhibits, daily shows, keeper talks, and cruises, Naples Zoo launched a formal education programs
for children with a modular education classroom. Excited summer campers experienced the
inaugural Camp WILD and the new ZooMobile Outreach programs expanded our mission
offsite to schools around the area. Our collaborative ZooCon Distance Learning Program with
Collier County Public Schools continues to reach more children. This program allows 4th graders
to meet the National Geographic scientist on the cover of their science text and connects 2nd
graders with a leading giraffe expert so they can ask questions live from Southwest Florida to
Namibia, Africa. Every grade from kindergarten through fifth will now have this same kind of
opportunity to learn from professional animal care staff and leading conservationists.

28 Life in Naples | January 2017