Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a Delightful Animal Habitat

The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, an accredited zoo, had its beginnings as a tropical plant sanctuary in 1919. The garden was founded by Dr. Henry Nehrling, a botanist, who established it in order to preserve the tropical plants he noticed where quickly disappearing from southwest Florida. Nehrling, a leading naturalist of the time, encouraged others like him to visit his Naples-area garden and together they continued the quest to preserve the flora and fauna of the region.

Nehrling died in 1929, and it would be nearly 40 years before his plant sanctuary was turned into something more than just a garden. First, in the 1950s, Julius Fleischmann, of the Fleischmann Yeast empire, took it upon himself to restore Nehrling's gardens, which had been neglected after his death. The entrepreneur added an array of tropical birds to the newly-renovated gardens and gave it a new name - Caribbean Gardens.

In 1967, television personalities and animal aficionados, Lawrence and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff, aka Jungle Larry and Safari Jane, arrived at the Caribbean Gardens with their unique collection of rare animals, who quickly made their home there. More animals were added, and by 1969, Naples Zoo was a full-fledged zoological garden.

Today's 52-acre Naples Zoo features hundreds of animals representing dozens of species, all nestled in a pristine tropical setting amidst habitats not unlike their natural homes. Exhibits along the zoo's 1-mile natural walkway include Tiger Forest, Leopard Rock, Backyard Habitat, Petrof's Primate Pavilion, Africa's Lions, African Wild Dogs, Panther Glade, Alligator Bay, and African Oasis.

Aside from enjoying self-guided tours of the zoo's many exhibits, zoo staff also offer several shows a day to entertain guests. Many of the shows give zoo visitors the opportunity to have a closer look at the animals while others focus on the jobs of zoo staff and what it takes to be an animal handler or other zoo professional.

Visitors may also take a botanical tour of the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. As this site existed for 50 years as a garden, it still boasts a rich botanical history and many of the plants and trees inside the zoo are quite old and historic. This guided tour, led by a master gardener, gives guests a closer look at the zoo's garden. These tropical plant treks are usually offered once each week and are included at no additional fee.

Zoo staff members also lead a Primate Expedition Cruise, an enjoyable and informative boat ride past islands full of playful primates, including Siamang apes, spider monkeys, Madagascar lemurs, and several other species. The 20-30 minute tour aboard a catamaran is included with admission and can be enjoyed numerous times during a visit, if desired, and the cruise offers exceptional photo opportunities for amateur and professional photographers.