Caribbean Gardens

About

A nonprofit conservation and education organization caring for rare wildlife and connecting guests with animals from anteaters to zebras.

Story

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a nonprofit organization cooperating in conservation programs both in and outside the wild for endangered species. Much more than a walk-thru zoo, this historic tropical garden and nationally accredited zoo features a full day of wildlife experiences to delight guests with the natural world to inspire the conservation of our planet's remaining wild areas and their wondrous inhabitants.

Naples Zoo’s newest “don’t miss” activity is feeding the herd of five giraffe. This extraordinary up-close experience is offered every day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Daily presentations include the hand-feeding of giant reptiles at Alligator Bay; Meet the Keeper Series; Reptile Rendezvous presentation; and two premiere shows in the Safari Canyon theater where guests see live animals from exotic predators and other rare wildlife along with exciting video footage and live camera action. And one of the zoo’s most popular activities is the Primate Expedition Cruise where guests embark on a guided cruise through islands inhabited by monkeys, lemurs, and apes. Within the 43-acre garden, guests also enjoy seeing their favorite animals like lions, monkeys, and zebras as well as rarely seen species like Malagasy fosas and African honey badgers. At large glass walls, visitors get wildly close to carnivores like Malayan tigers, clouded leopards, black bears, and our Florida panther.

Along with all that’s new, Naples Zoo has a wonderful history beginning in 1919 when botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling founded the garden. A Fleischmann Yeast heir expanded the forgotten garden in 1954. In 1969, Lawrence and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff, a.k.a. Jungle LarryTM and Safari JaneTM, introduced the wild animals. Larry did stunt work for Johnny Weissmuller in the famous Tarzan films, milked thousands of venomous snakes during WWII, and educated millions throughout the Midwest and Florida with his wife Nancy. Since that time, the Zoo earned national accreditation and won both regional and national awards.

And the Zoo’s impact reaches far beyond its borders. Naples Zoo supports about 20 conservation projects from southwest Florida to Madagascar including planting over 25,000 trees a year. Most importantly, the message of conservation is clear throughout all our entertaining programs. The Zoo won the top “Nature/Education” and Grand Champion “Entertainment” awards from Naples Daily News and was voted “Best Place to Take Kids” by Gulfshore Life magazine.

A zoo visit is also good for you! Researchers in Japan found a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in quality of life ratings (via World Health Organization rating scale) for people who view animals at zoos. These results were significant over people who visited zoos for the same amount of time, walked the same distance, but did not watch animals.

Your visit enriches your life and improves the lives of people and wildlife around the world! Come safari with Naples Zoo for a day your family will always remember.

Mission

To inspire people of all ages to respect, value and help conserve wildlife and our natural world.