Caribbean Gardens: Safari Canyon 2000

For Immediate Release

Distributed May 2000

Zoo's Updated Animal Presentation A Worldwide Collaboration

From a new species of primate to a territorial battle between two snarling wild leopards, zoo-goers have a new assortment of fascinating video images waiting for them at the Caribbean Gardens' newly updated Safari Canyon presentation. All new range maps, a collection of new illustrative graphics, a new trivia show, and a wealth of new information add to the excitement of the new video segments collected from Australia to Zimbabwe. And of course, the presentation would never be complete without the ever expanding band of live wild animals that swim, slither, leap, and stalk through the natural rockwork theater just a few feet away from the audience.

"The worldwide cooperation represented in this year's Canyon presentation shows the commitment to conservation of all these organizations and individuals," explains Caribbean Gardens CEO Nancy Jane Tetzlaff. "From organizations with a million members like World Wildlife Fund all the way down to private photographers willing to share some of their special images, contributors want to support the conservation message in the manner that the zoo presents it. The show's hosts insure it's always lots of fun for everyone, while always presenting animals as they truly are."

The zoo's director, David Tetzlaff, explains a bit further: "Encouraging the protection of wild animals while still honestly demonstrating what these animals are can create a tension. People will almost automatically want to save tigers when we show the illegal trade that's killing them. But you have to be responsible and say these creatures aren't just beautiful 500-pound tabby cats. Animals like tigers and leopards engage in highly aggressive battles with one another and only survive by killing other beautiful animals. And they consistently take human lives every year. If you don't present both sides, citizens and lawmakers are more likely to be swayed by emotion just like the flip-flops that are happening out West to ban or not ban cougar hunting depending on the latest news story instead of long-term scientific study. That's why we show predators hunting along with habitat loss and poaching issues. These animals are inherently worthy of being preserved. It's just better to have all the facts so the people who do join into protecting the extraordinary creatures on our planet get involved with both eyes wide open. "

And the new show has a wide selection of resources to show those facts in a variety of ways. This year's list of worldwide contributors include the Wildlife Conservation Society, Duke University Primate Center, Hornocker Wildlife Institute, Conservation International, three different museums, zoos from America and England, NASA, and photographers and publishers from Botswana to India, and World Wildlife Fund. Of course, the keystone of Safari Canyon is always John Varty's stunning film segments of African wildlife. This year's presentation includes many more incredible sequences of prey animals escaping the deadly jaws of predators and several fighting back. After all, as the show's hosts explain, most wildlife hunts are unsuccessful.

The assortment of live wildlife is also growing. Guests now experience being within just a few steps of endangered animals like lemurs, Bengal tigers, and Indian leopards as well as the highly endangered clouded leopard. Guests will also see unusual animals up close like the Australian dingo, Asian kabaragoya, and African caracal along with favorites like the lions. And the Canyon's live camera gets you even closer to the excitement.

Safari Canyon: Where Multimedia Encounters Nature is presented twice daily at Caribbean Gardens: the ZOO in Naples. The 52-acre botanical and zoological garden is located in the heart of Naples at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road. The zoo ticket box is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the zoo grounds close at 5:30. Admission includes all presentations including the Primate Expedition Cruise, Meet the Keeper Series, and Alligator Bay Feeding. For full details on the zoo, call the Caribbean Gardens ZooLine at (239) 262-5409 or click on the zoo's web site at www.caribbeangardens.com.

Additional Safari Canyon Story Ideas:

Bringing Safari Canyon to Life: The Wild Technology of DVD and Computers

Balancing Man-Eaters and Mirth: Making Conservation Fun while Still Keeping It Real

The New Zoo Presentation: How You Train Natural Behaviors

Caribbean Gardens 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road Naples Florida 34102 ZooLine: 941.262.5409 www.caribbeangardens.com

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If you are a member of the media and would like to receive future releases, please e-mail Tim Tetzlaff at tim@caribbeangardens.com



For Immediate Release Distributed May 2000 Zoo's Updated Animal Presentation A Worldwide Collaboration From a new species of primate to a territorial battle between two snarling wild leopards, zoo-goers have a new assortment of fascinating video images waiting for them at the Caribbean Gardens' newly updated Safari Canyon presentation. All new range maps, a collection of new illustrative graphics, a new trivia show, and a wealth of new information add to the excitement of the new video segments collected from Australia to Zimbabwe. And of course, the presentation would never be complete without the ever expanding band of live wild animals that swim, slither, leap, and stalk through the natural rockwork theater just a few feet away from the audience. "The worldwide cooperation represented in this year's Canyon presentation shows the commitment to conservation of all these organizations and individuals," explains Caribbean Gardens CEO Nancy Jane Tetzlaff. "From organizations with a million members like World Wildlife Fund all the way down to private photographers willing to share some of their special images, contributors want to support the conservation message in the manner that the zoo presents it. The show's hosts insure it's always lots of fun for everyone, while always presenting animals as they truly are." The zoo's director, David Tetzlaff, explains a bit further: "Encouraging the protection of wild animals while still honestly demonstrating what these animals are can create a tension. People will almost automatically want to save tigers when we show the illegal trade that's killing them. But you have to be responsible and say these creatures aren't just beautiful 500-pound tabby cats. Animals like tigers and leopards engage in highly aggressive battles with one another and only survive by killing other beautiful animals. And they consistently take human lives every year. If you don't present both sides, citizens and lawmakers are more likely to be swayed by emotion just like the flip-flops that are happening out West to ban or not ban cougar hunting depending on the latest news story instead of long-term scientific study. That's why we show predators hunting along with habitat loss and poaching issues. These animals are inherently worthy of being preserved. It's just better to have all the facts so the people who do join into protecting the extraordinary creatures on our planet get involved with both eyes wide open. " And the new show has a wide selection of resources to show those facts in a variety of ways. This year's list of worldwide contributors include the Wildlife Conservation Society, Duke University Primate Center, Hornocker Wildlife Institute, Conservation International, three different museums, zoos from America and England, NASA, and photographers and publishers from Botswana to India, and World Wildlife Fund. Of course, the keystone of Safari Canyon is always John Varty's stunning film segments of African wildlife. This year's presentation includes many more incredible sequences of prey animals escaping the deadly jaws of predators and several fighting back. After all, as the show's hosts explain, most wildlife hunts are unsuccessful. The assortment of live wildlife is also growing. Guests now experience being within just a few steps of endangered animals like lemurs, Bengal tigers, and Indian leopards as well as the highly endangered clouded leopard. Guests will also see unusual animals up close like the Australian dingo, Asian kabaragoya, and African caracal along with favorites like the lions. And the Canyon's live camera gets you even closer to the excitement. Safari Canyon: Where Multimedia Encounters Nature is presented twice daily at Caribbean Gardens: the ZOO in Naples. The 52-acre botanical and zoological garden is located in the heart of Naples at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road. The zoo ticket box is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the zoo grounds close at 5:30. Admission includes all presentations including the Primate Expedition Cruise, Meet the Keeper Series, and Alligator Bay Feeding. For full details on the zoo, call the Caribbean Gardens ZooLine at (239) 262-5409 or click on the zoo's web site at www.caribbeangardens.com. Additional Safari Canyon Story Ideas: Bringing Safari Canyon to Life: The Wild Technology of DVD and Computers Balancing Man-Eaters and Mirth: Making Conservation Fun while Still Keeping It Real The New Zoo Presentation: How You Train Natural Behaviors Caribbean Gardens 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road Naples Florida 34102 ZooLine: 941.262.5409 www.caribbeangardens.com # # # # # If you are a member of the media and would like to receive future releases, please e-mail Tim Tetzlaff at tim@caribbeangardens.com