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In Tanzania
with conservation colleagues
Elvis Kisimir,
Dr. Luke Dollar,
Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld, and
Charles Trout at a Living Wall.

Your Access to World-Class

Conservationists—Here in Naples

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

wenty years ago, I was sitting in a conference presentation colleague Lisa Andrews, connecting people who spend their days on
far from Florida listening to a young National Geographic different continents but share the same mission from managing invasive
Tconservationist named Dr. Luke Dollar. After the talk, I species to protecting rare cats, from African lions to Florida panthers.
introduced myself. Nothing dramatic. Just Then there’s Dr. Arnaud Desbiez, whose research on giant armadillos
a simple conversation. Yet that moment and anteaters earned one of conservation’s highest honors, the Kiessling
changed the direction of my work and, Prize for Species Conservation. I was honored to join him at the
eventually, Naples Zoo’s global reach. Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. as he received this award. Arnaud
That handshake was the bedrock that has also been to Naples many times, and despite all the international
led to us funding six of his conservation accolades, we typically find ourselves far from Fifth Avenue bistros for
staff in Madagascar who reduce destructive a poolside table at Harold’s Place for his favorite bacon cheeseburger.
fires in Ankarafantsika National Park and I’ve also ended up at his favorite pizza place in Campo Grande in Mato
sustain the longest running research on Grosso do Sul. What can I say? We’re guys on a budget.
Madagascar’s top predator. We also built two rural schools to give This season, you’ll meet these extraordinary leaders. And on one of
students alternatives to subsistence farming. And every year when those evenings, before I fly to Africa for several weeks, I’ll be presenting
Luke visits Naples to inspire 3,500 Collier County fourth graders, on our decades-long work in Madagascar. Later in the spring, I’ll share
I’m inspired by the questions and spark in their eyes — the kind updates from our collaboration in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation
that makes you wonder which one might become the next National Area, where Naples Zoo has invested nearly half a million dollars to help
Geographic scientist. rangers recover the population of critically endangered black rhinos.
While I had to fly to meet such a person, you don’t need to. The Conservation Lecture Series runs just once or twice a month
Because of relationships built over years in the field, you can meet during season, but each evening offers something rare: a chance to meet
conservationists of that caliber in Naples. These aren’t paid speakers. the people doing some of the most important conservation work on
They’re people I’ve walked alongside in places from Brazil to the planet, without leaving Naples. You’ll hear their stories, ask your
Tanzania, and right here in Big Cypress. questions, and see for yourself why long-term relationships matter.
Take Dr. Laly Lichtenfeld, a National Geographic Explorer, And for those who think about the legacy they want their giving
TED speaker, award-winning conservationist, and one of Africa’s to leave, these evenings offer a unique opportunity: direct access to the
leading voices in human-wildlife coexistence that Luke introduced people doing the work, and a clear view of how support from Naples
me to over ten years ago and we’ve all been in the field together. Laly residents travels straight into the field. And you might even see one of
now co-hosts safaris with me giving travelers experiences simply not them with me at Harold’s…
possible even on high-end private safaris. Naples Zoo funds eleven of To see the full schedule, visit NaplesZoo.org/speakers
her staff across six Tanzanian landscapes. I brought Laly out to Big Contact me at tim@napleszoo.org
Cypress to meet biologist Matthew McCollister and my longtime To learn more or support these efforts, visit NaplesZoo.org/conserve

Together, we can create a brighter, more resilient future for people and wildlife.
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrusted with educating families and caring for rare species in a century old historic garden. Since 2014, Naples
Zoo has invested over $3.5 million saving plants and animals in the wild and fully funds the annual salary of 27 field staff in 7 countries including three wildlife veterinarians.
To learn more about how you can invest in a better future for people and wildlife, email tim@napleszoo.org.
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