Page 26 - November2026LifeInNaples

Nine Thousand Miles

for Fifteen Minutes
"Kelsie"
Partners in wildlife medicine,

from Naples to Ngorongoro

Tim L. Tetzlaff
Director of Conservation,
Naples Zoo at CaribbeanGardens

t Southwest we use these same machines and can Naples Zoo has supported the critically
Florida run a complete blood count and get endangered black rhinos in Ngorongoro
AInternational blood chemistry in less than 15 minutes. since 2019. That relationship has
Airport, Naples Zoo But for Dr. Wambura’s team to assess already provided patrol vehicles, ranger
veterinarian Dr. Kelsie the health of any wildlife, such analysis observation outposts, binocular telescopes,
Stovall and I checked meant arranging transport, keeping vet supplies, tents and other equipment.
five bags. Two were samples cold, paying lab fees, and waiting That equipment now protecting rhinos is
ordinary: clothes and days. Understandably, it was often not only there because people gave specifically
items for colleagues. The other three held feasible. Now we stood together watching to this work, while others supported
two blood analyzers and nearly 12 liters Ngorongoro’s first in-house blood results Naples Zoo’s broader conservation efforts
of liquid reassuringly labeled “chemical print out. and gave us the flexibility to respond when
reagents.” But getting them on the plane That success meant more after what our partners identified a priority.
was just the first concern. One analyzer we saw the day before. Someone had Many of those priorities were identified
was already a replacement after the original laced a young giraffe’s carcass with in meetings arranged by Ngorongoro’s
broke in transit from Tampa to Naples. poison, likely in retaliation for lions Rhino Coordinator Deogratius Maige.
Now we were shepherding them all 9,000 killing cows earlier that week. At least He and Naples Zoo’s Country Director
miles to East Africa. one lion and many vultures died. Dr. Albert Mollel, whom I’ve known for over
Thirty-three hours later, Ngorongoro Stovall helped the veterinarians collect 15 years, are my brothers in this work. At
Conservation Area Authority veterinarian samples for toxicology testing. It was a the request of Ngorongoro leadership, I
Dr. Wambura messaged me at 1 a.m. The visceral reminder of why we work for drafted a revised formal agreement that
equipment had finally cleared Tanzania’s a future where people living alongside would create the Ngorongoro–Naples
medical-device import process. The wildlife benefit from its survival rather Zoo Rhino Conservation Council. It now
diagnostic rotors Dr. Stovall had carried than just bearing the costs. awaits national approval. On this trip, I
in cool packs were also safely refrigerated. again discussed those larger recovery goals
When we unpacked everything with the with Tanzania’s national rhino coordinator
veterinary team in their new laboratory, we as well as the coordinator for Serengeti,
all exhaled when both machines powered along with the head of research for the
on. Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute.
We soon tested them under real Back in Naples, Dr. Stovall stays in
conditions. While I was helping place a touch with Dr. Wambura and the team
tracking collar on a lioness, Dr. Stovall through WhatsApp. Equipment expands
drew a blood sample. Back at the lab, as capacity, but regular visits and ongoing
she and the team ran the sample, I thought exchange build the long-term trust that
back to June 2025. In the Crater, they first makes partnerships last. And a lioness
told me they needed machines like these. Maige named “Kelsie” is a living reminder
At Naples Zoo’s Glass Animal Hospital, of those relationships.
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