Naples Zoo

Overview
The Naples Zoo (or more formally, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens) was opened in September 1969 in Naples, Florida, in what was once the gardens for botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling's collection of plants. The gardens were neglected after Nehrling's death, but reopened in 1954 by Julius Fleischmann. Animals were added by Larry and Jane Tetzlaff in 1969, and the gardens were reopened as a zoo.

The zoo has about 70 species, though not all of these are on display at any given time. The main path is about a mile long, and winds past the main animal exhibits through a tropical garden first planted in 1919.Primates in the zoo are housed on islands in a man made lake, and can be viewed from catamarans when visitors take the Primate Expedition Cruise.

Exhibits

 * Alligator Bay provides a home to the zoo's Alligators. This lake is also home to many native species including an annual rookery of herons.
 * African Oasis is on the South side of the path opposite Alligator Bay. This area houses many African animals including Red River Hogs, Crested Porcupines, Dorcas Gazelles, Greater Kudus, and Impalas, African Gray Parrots, and Leopard Tortoises. The Giraffe Preview Exhibit showcases a herd of reticulated giraffes, where guests can hand-feed them for a fee.
 * Leopard Rock is home to both spotted and black leopards. It features a naturalistic kopje on which the leopards can climb, separated from viewers only by glass.
 * Lake Victoria contains several islands that are home to the zoo's primates. Visitors can see these islands can be viewed up close by taking the 15 to 20 minute Primate Expedition Cruise around the lake on one of the zoo's catamarans. The majority of the species on these islands are endangered in the wild.
 * Lion's Lair is a large mesh fenced area that is home to the zoo's lions.
 * Panther Glade provides a home to the zoo's Florida Panthers, as well as educational displays for visitors. Visitors and panthers are separated only by glass.
 * Black Bear Hammock is home to black bears, and consists of two separate habitats: one that simulates a natural environment and one that simulates a back yard. Viewing for both areas is from behind glass.
 * Tiger Forest provides a naturalistic bamboo forest habitat for the zoo's Malayan tigers. The Naples Zoo is a participating member of the AZA Species Survival Plan for this species.
 * Backyard Habitat is a section of the gardens set aside and certified by the National Wildlife Federation in their Backyard Wildlife Habitat (BWH) program. It includes a pool where visitors can feed the fish.