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Walking with

Rhinos and Rangers

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

“Want to take a walk?” I wasn’t sure if Deogratius Maige was making
a genuine offer or having fun with me. As our safari vehicles had just
followed a ranger’s pickup truck off road within sight of a black
rhino, I presumed he was making a joke, as Maige often has a smile Yet these vehicles and equipment like tents, binocular telescopes,
on his face. But I was mistaken and a few moments later the Rhino night vision scopes, and veterinary equipment are just one aspect of
Coordinator of Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority and I this support. Through building this trust, connections can be made
threaded a path through the grasses toward this very special rhino between the expertise and resources within the zoo community and
given the name Vickie. the needs of field partners on the ground. For example, breeding
programs for animals within accredited zoos are carefully managed
Vickie was born in 1975, making her one of the survivors of the for genetic integrity. Those needs are growing more important within
poaching onslaught that felled black rhino numbers by 98% in the fragmented populations of wild animals and trust becomes
last decades of the twentieth century. In her home country of paramount especially when it involves species coveted by the
Tanzania, she had been one of just fifteen left by the 1990s. multibillion-dollar illegal wildlife trade. Indeed, trusting relationships
Standing before her that day, I was grateful she didn’t are the heart of conservation efforts at Naples Zoo as we foster long-
indiscriminately hold a grudge against every member of the species term conservation partnerships – some going back nearly thirty years.
who exterminated her kind.
I realize for most of us, rhinos and their protectors remain distant. Yet
It was a gracious response, as I doubt Vickie understands that many rhinos are part of our common heritage and people like you and me
humans have diligently worked to ensure that she and other rhinos want to leave a world to our children where magnificent survivors like
survived into the new century. Not a few of those dedicated souls Vickie still roam – and a rhino named Tim can grow old on the plains
have lost their lives in that mission – up to the present day. A of Africa. So yes, that baby rhino was a boy, and Maige wasn’t joking
monument to their sacrifices rests atop the rim of the Ngorongoro that time either.
Crater. A few months later, such risks became tangible as I walked
with Maige alongside rangers to their outposts one evening, Support efforts like these by donating to the Naples Zoo
including one that’s reinforced as a fallback position in a firefight. Conservation Fund. 100% of what we receive is dedicated to field
Because of dedication to this rhino survival, Tanzania is now home efforts. Make checks payable to Naples Zoo, 1590 Goodlette Rd N,
to over two hundred black rhinos. But the threat is ever present. Yet, Naples FL 34102 and put the word “conservation” in the memo. For
so is the joy. A rhino had just been born a couple days before. “If it’s other ways to donate, see www.napleszoo.org/donate.
a boy, we may call him Tim,” Maige smiled. Again, I wasn’t sure if he
was joking.

And that’s good. Resilience and humor are critical in conservation.
It’s a hard world. It has been profoundly rewarding to spend the last
decade working with colleagues in Tanzania who have now
become trusted friends and I theirs. It all began with naturalist Albert
Mollel fourteen years ago and he has since become Naples Zoo’s
Rhino Coordinator. A couple months ago, we were all able to
celebrate together down in Ngorongoro Crater as Naples Zoo
presented two new Toyota Land Cruiser double-cab pickup trucks
special-ordered to meet the specifications of this tough work. This
effectively doubled the number of vehicles available to rangers. I am
beyond grateful to the safari travelers and other donors who made
this happen. You can see the video created by the Tanzanian
government at https://qrco.de/blackrhino and if you’d like to see
this work in person, join me on safari next year:
www.napleszoo.org/travel.