Naples Zoo Naples Zoo News

Article about safety/upgrades to tiger exhibit:

Tiger attack: Man gets inside enclosure at Wooten's in Collier County

 

From their Facebook page: Sad news to share friends, our beloved fossa, Duffie, passed away unexpectedly under anesthesia during her annual preventative health exam. She was 10 years old and was born here at Naples Zoo.
https://fb.watch/caZi9RVTn-/

 

3.0 African lions are being transferred to Brevard Zoo:

3 young lions will leave Naples Zoo in April and head to Brevard Zoo

In 2013, first time mom, Shani and her mate, Masamba, were genetically matched for breeding by the Species Survival Plan.

Then Shani successfully gave birth to the three cubs on May 14, 2019.

The last day to see Karoo, Ruaha, and Chobe, who in 2019 were the first lion cubs to be born at Naples Zoo in more than 30 years — is Tuesday, April 26.

 

Other 2021 News:

On February 8th, the zoo announced that they have transferred (3.0) red-ruffed lemurs named Chip, Pico, and Jalapeño onto one of the primate islands.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1837809529711237

On February 11th, the zoo announced that the (0.1) eastern bongo that was born in January is named Amali.

Baby bongo Amali decided... - Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

On April 14th, the zoo announced that their ring-tailed lemurs have moved into the old red-ruffed lemur exhibit.

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On May 6th, the zoo announced they have hired a new veterinarian, Dr. Kensie Stovall. She previously worked at Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.

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On May 11th, the zoo announced that (1.1) red-ruffed lemurs named Indy and Ruby (renamed to Hazo and Aviavy respectively) were transferred to the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Myakka City, Florida.

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On May 24th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (1.0) brown-nosed coati named Poncho and is now on exhibit near the sloth and birds.

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On July 12th, the zoo announced that they have released a (0.1) red-shouldered hawk back into the wild, after being rehabilitated by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=378570913838272

On August 19th, the zoo announced that their (0.1) cheetah named Pia has passed away after a steep decline in health.

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On October 7th, the zoo announced that they have planted 15 new species of palm trees in their parking lot to replace some declining foxtail palms.

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On November 2nd, the zoo announced they are opening a new seasonal exhibit called BRICKLIVE Supersized Creatures, which runs from November 20th to April 17th.

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On December 4th, the zoo announced they have acquired (2.0) cheetahs named Wesley and Winslow from the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=422435129547847

On December 9th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) American alligator named Bubba has passed away.

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On December 17th, the zoo announced that their (0.1) Florida black bear named Anna is back on exhibit after said exhibit was under renovations.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1328982734205314

 

New Malayan tiger "One" is out on exhibit:
Join us in welcoming... - Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

 

This news article mentions the tiger arrived from the Virginia Zoo, so he's originally named either Osceola or Stubbley.

https://www.fox4now.com/collier-county/naples-zoo-announces-arrival-of-new-malayan-tiger

 

Visited last week and just have a few brief observations:

• A Jamaican Boa is now on display in the entrance building/gift shop (along with poison dart frog, pancake tortoise, giant African millipedes, and eastern indigo snake.
• A Six-banded armadillo is now on display in the show animal exhibits.
• The zoo has broke ground on a project on the former duiker/muntjac/leopard tortoise exhibit. The yellow-backed duiker and leopard tortoise are now in the former sitatunga exhibit. The muntjac was nowhere to be seen though. The plan in recent years had been a South American exhibit on this site for tapir, giant anteater, and other species but we will see what happens.
• As a result of construction the adjacent lemur exhibit the lemurs have been moved to the fossa exhibit. Meaning the fossa are currently off display.

 

On August 5th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) reticulated giraffe named Timber passed away. He was 13 years old.

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The zoo posted a brief update on their website to address the impact of Hurricane Ian on the zoo:

"Naples Zoo will be closed until further notice. Thank you to everyone for reaching out. All of our animals are safe and secure. As most of the downtown Naples area, the Zoo did experience some storm surge and several areas of the Zoo are flooded. Our teams are on-site prioritizing animal welfare and property cleanup."

 

On October 10th, the zoo announced that they will reopen the facility to the public on October 14th.

We are so excited to share that we will reopen to the public this Friday, October 14th! The Zoo will have been closed for a total of 17 days. We are... | By Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens | Facebook

On November 8th, the zoo announced that they are one of 10 zoological and wildlife rescue organizations that received an emergency grant from the SeaWorld Conservation Fund.

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On November 11th, it was announced that the zoo will acquire (2.0) white-faced sakis from the Los Angeles Zoo in California.

https://s36593.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/11.2022-Animal-Transactions.pdf

 

Former ambassador ocelot Taz has passed away at age 22.

Taz the ocelot, long-time Naples Zoo ambassador, passes away at 22

 

Naples Zoo has awarded a contract for its new entrance and education center complex.

https://www.fox4now.com/collier-cou...-project-awarded-to-southwest-florida-builder

 

The South American Trail they mention should be home to tapir and capybara, among other species. Here is a rendering of the exhibit plans from a few years back. They may have changed but this will be built on the current yellow-backed duiker exhibit and an unoccupied section of the zoo. The renderings also showed the giant anteater in this new complex.

The current entrance will replace the current South American section so it makes sense they want to move those species elsewhere on the site.

Another only other major exhibits in the expansion site are the gazelle/bongo exhibit and the encounter animal displays. I wonder if the gazelle/bongo will be moved over to the old sitatunga exhibit?


Projects — Felis Consulting

 

Piece of 2022 News Not Mentioned:

On March 3rd, it was announced that they acquired a (1.0) mongoose lemur named Bimbini from the Lemur Conservation Foundation in Florida.

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On December 17th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) striped skunk named Lily passed away at age 11 due to age-related health concerns.

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On January 2nd, 2023, the zoo announced that their bongos and duikers now share the same exhibit.

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Visited the zoo this week and have lots of news to share:

• Site clearing has begun for the new entrance and education complex. The complex is slated to open in 2024 including an American flamingo aviary and a renovated alligator exhibit. The former macaw exhibit and most of the gazelle/bongo exhibit has been demolished so far.
• As was previously noted the bongo have moved in with the duikers and black-crowned crane in the former sitatunga exhibit. The zoo now only has a single rhim gazelle on display and given the shipping crate in it's exhibit, it likely will be leaving the zoo.
• The zoo currently does not have giant anteaters or red-rumped agouti on display. There former exhibit now holds Aldabra giant tortoises (likely temporary as these exhibits will also be demolished).
• The new South American exhibit is well underway with expected completion this year. It will look nothing like the plans though, as it is using the current pathway instead of building a new boardwalk. On the site of the former duiker exhibit, construction is ongoing on two buildings, one for large species and the other for small. Construction has also started on a new giant anteater exhibit nearby on a previously unoccupied area next to the coyotes. The species list for the exhibit was posted on a wall and is as follows: coati, red-footed tortoise, giant anteater, tamarin, capybara, tapir, agouti, prehensile-tailed porcupine and parrots.
• In between these two construction sites is the former fossa and lemur building. The exhibits now currently hold a two-toed sloth and southern ground hornbill. These are both education animals so this could just be a temporary arrangement.
• The biggest news of the day though is the zoo has a banner announcing they will acquire orangutan in late 2023. No other details are provided and I do not know where they will go but this is most definitely interesting news.

 

The Naples Zoo announced that there coyotes have been moved to a new exhibit. I believe this to be the northern half of the black bear exhibit.

The zoo is teasing a new species (with an emoji) to replace them soon.

This is likely the orangutans but the coyote exhibit will need some renovation definitely.

 

The new Bairds Tapir has been announced on Facebook:

 

The Naples Zoo has announced on there facebook that they are getting orangutan officially. They are currently constructing the netted habitat on the site of the former coyote exhibit. The exhibit will be 55 feet tall as well.

In the comments the zoo has also confirmed the orangutans will be coming from Zoo Tampa. Given the pictures they may be be getting a youngster alongside adults.

 

That's cool, not too far of a ride. IMO this is a good choice as I feel the Tampa habitat was getting a bit crowded, I think they have/had 10 right now?