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Dreams of Africa

A black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater born in 1975.
A black rhino in Ngorongoro Crater born in 1975.

by Tim L. Tetzlaff, Director of Conservation,
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

That’s a different feeling. But then you find out this particular rhino
was born in 1975. You’re looking at one of the few that survived that
slaughter to still be standing today. That’s a real moment in life and
a story to tell, especially when you get to have lunch with one of the
rhino rangers that protects these animals. It’s a sobering moment as
you recall the memorial you saw the day before engraved with the
names of the rangers who have lost their lives ensuring rhinos survive
into the future – not yet updated with the ranger who you are told
was killed a few months before.
Growing up the son of Naples Zoo’s founders, my life has been
filled with sharing the wonders and realities of wildlife like these.
I loved growing up walking these historic gardens and caring for
“To witness that calm rhythm of life revives our worn souls and the animals here. Yet our conservation mission is not limited to this
recaptures a feeling of belonging to the natural world. No one can historic garden. There is something profound about setting your feet
return from the Serengeti unchanged, for tawny lions will forever in the wild places of Africa. It's also part of a pact I have with my
prowl our memory and great herds throng our imaginations." colleagues in Africa: to bring people who will be similarly inspired
~George Schaller, Pioneering Conservationist to ensure those wonders will persist for future generations. Of course,
we’ll stay at some luxurious tent camps and lodges along the way.
magine holding a small chunk of concrete in your hand. You’re If you’d like to be part of this legacy, you can join me and an
asked for words you associate with it: Rough. Gray. Building esteemed wildlife colleague co-host as we introduce you to long-term
Imaterial. Then you’re told where it came from: the Berlin conservation partners and transform a “concrete” experience into
Wall. In a moment, the ordinary becomes historic and a flood of something nearly magical. It’s the rare occasion where the reality is
emotional adjectives and memories fill your mind. Context is key better than the dream.
to real understanding. From my widest grins to quiet tears, I am awed by the gift of
Now imagine being in Africa. You see a rhino. You’re on these lands and look forward to sharing them with you.
safari, so you expect to see a rhino. That’s one of the reasons
you go. They’re magnificent creatures. Likewise, concrete is an Explore our two custom 2024 itineraries at
extraordinary building material. But that context is crucial. That www.napleszoo.org/travel
rhino you’re watching is in Tanzania. Fifty years ago, there were
over 10,000 rhinos there. By the 1990s, their population had been
poached down to a few dozen. Now in recovery, this rhino is just
one of just over two hundred in the country.

Life in Naples | December 2023 27