UPDATES!
Read the press release about the reopening
Previous release from 11/10/05
Previous release from 10/28/05

Zoo Director David Tetzlaff surveys damage from falling trees.

OVERVIEW: Naples Zoo is very grateful for the overall safety of the animals as Naples Zoo suffered significant damage from Hurricane Wilma. A large percentage of trees throughout the historic botanical garden are down. This has led to the ReNEW the ZOO campaign.

Some of these falling trees crushed exhibits including the leopard exhibit and current African wild dog exhibit. All carnivores safely weathered the storm inside secure concrete buildings.

An antelope exhibit and kangaroo exhibit also had damage. Two kangaroos and two muntjac (small 30lb. Asian deer) were safely returned to their exhibit in the hours following the storm. A Parma wallaby mother died due to pre-storm stress. A Demoiselle crane suffered a wing injury while in a protected building during the storm.

Black and white colobus monkey that weathered the storm in a secure building is returned with others to its island home.

As the zoo was closed for a month, the most pressing need is funding. The zoo receives no public dollars for operations. It relies on visitor revenue to pay for all expenses including animal food, water, electricity, and staff salaries. If you would like to help defray these critical expenses, please consider donating online or writing a check to:

Naples Zoo
1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd
Naples FL 34102

Please check back for more updates as progress is known. Thank you for your concern.

Naples Zoo is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations are tax deductible to the limit of the law. Please consult your tax advisor.