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TRAVELING EIGHTH

ACROSS THE
CONTINENT

by Tim Tetzlaff
Naples Zoo’s Director of Conservation
I solated off the coast of Africa for eons, Madagascar’s conservation research that charts this dual course to benefit

both wildlife and people.
unique biodiversity is so extravagant that it has been
called the eighth continent. Four of every five of its
Because of this island’s significance, Naples Zoo has
plants and animals live nowhere else on earth. But
superlatives both bless and curse Madagascar. The island’s supported conservation efforts in Madagascar for the last
two decades. Naples Zoo is a Managing Member of the
biological abundance is cruelly matched only by the extreme Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) that works in
lack endured by the Malagasy people. Thus the survival of its eastern Madagascar. I serve on the executive committee and
lemurs and numerous other endangered species and habitats as an advisor. To protect critically endangered species like
is forever entwined in the well-being of the people who ruffed lemurs and indri, the zoo increased our commitment
share the land. Recently, Naples Zoo’s Director of Animal to help fund operational costs protecting some of the last
Programs Liz Harmon and I traveled to this extraordinary remaining eastern lowland rainforest in the Betampona
island to participate in conservation meetings and assist in Natural Reserve. In addition, the Zoo helped raise $18,000

28 Life in Naples | November 2017