LONG RECOVERY AHEAD FOR NAPLES ZOO AFTER WILMA

Naples Zoo has much to be grateful for, and much work to do. Overall, the animals weathered the storm safely. The large trees in the historic botanical garden did not fare as well. Up to half of the botanical collection is uprooted or damaged in some way. Tree trunks, roots, and limbs currently cover the grounds. Meanwhile, zoo staff are completing the return of many animals to their exhibits from their storm-secure buildings. The days and weeks ahead present many challenges, but with a resolve hardened by the long efforts to save the zoo’s land, Naples Zoo staff is moving forward.

Zoo staff is very thankful for the safety of the animal collection. While no animals were lost during the storm, one female Parma wallaby and a tiny joey in her pouch died of stress prior to the storm. One demoiselle crane in a secure building injured a wing while the hurricane came through. Given the potential of a storm like this, the Zoo’s hurricane plan was successful. These emergency procedures are regularly updated and reviewed during the zoo’s accreditation process by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Preparations for Hurricane Wilma started well in advance and animals were secured beginning 24 to 36 hours prior to the arrival of the storm so they would be out of their homes for the shortest time possible. Zoo staff remaining off-site had identification cards to help them get back into town following the storm, while Zoo Director David Tetzlaff and General Curator Conrad Schmitt remained on zoo grounds to care for the animals during the hurricane.

During the night and morning hours, the carnivores, birds, venomous snakes, and other small animals safely rode out the wind and rain inside concrete buildings. Most of these structures were built in the late 1960s when memories of Hurricane Donna were still fresh. The roofs are solid concrete placed by crane and all windows and doors are barred. Once animals were secure, it’s best to look in on them as little as possible to allow them rest. Tetzlaff and Schmitt made rounds at 11 p.m. Sunday night and again at 3:30 a.m. Monday morning and found the animals were mostly quiet.

Outside, two of the evacuated carnivore exhibits were severely damaged in the storm. Damage to the roof on the leopard exhibit made it unusable for these climbing cats. The current African wild dog exhibit suffered a crushed fence wall when one of the large trees that the exhibit was built around in 1969 fell against the high fence.

Following procedure, the zoo’s antelope and kangaroos remained in their exhibits because of the greater risk of stress and injury posed by placing them in a smaller area. After the storm passed, Tetzlaff and Schmitt made initial reviews of damage. Winds pushed over a large ficus tree on one of the sides of the newly expanded kangaroo exhibit. The breach allowed two kangaroos and two Reeve’s muntjac (a small 30 lb. Asian deer) to wander into the zoo. Zoo staff located the kangaroos and one muntjac and led them back to their exhibit that same afternoon. The remaining muntjac was safely returned the following morning.

By afternoon, the staff began moving debris to the side to clear paths in order to return animals to their homes as quickly as possible. Tigers and lions were back in their exhibits on Tuesday morning after a second safety review of these structures. All monkeys, lemurs, and apes were returned to their islands by mid-afternoon Tuesday. Reptiles and other animals followed suit. Because of damage to exhibits, staff worked into the night moving other animals like the leopards, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs to undamaged exhibits or temporary areas.

Even with so much accomplished so soon, Naples Zoo will likely be closed for weeks. Zoo Director David Tetzlaff indicated he hopes to be open by Thanksgiving, but Christmas may be more realistic. Arrangements are already being made for staff from other zoos including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Disney’s Animal Kingdom to assist in recovery efforts.

In addition to damages already mentioned, the off-exhibit reptile house roof was damaged, the new kangaroo observation deck was crushed, the crane and wallaby exhibit was flattened by trees, the yellow-backed duiker yard has a fence section crushed, the African Oasis exhibit has structural damage, an off-exhibit holding area was destroyed, as was the shade structure in the Safari Canyon theater, and guest safety barriers throughout the zoo were leveled by falling trees.

Because of this, the Zoo’s biggest concern is now financial. This is particularly hard for Naples Zoo as most zoos receive from 40% to 60% or more of their operating budget from public funding that can keep them going during times like this. Naples Zoo receives no public funding toward operations and must rely on its ticket, membership, and gift sales. Being closed, that kind of funding is non-existent.

With so much to rebuild with no source of revenue, the Zoo has accelerated its plans to take charitable donations. Naples Zoo was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity earlier this month. Anyone wishing to help speed the recovery efforts can make a tax deductible donation to Naples Zoo by sending or delivering a check made payable to “Naples Zoo” at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples FL 34102 or making an online donation at www.napleszoo.com.

To further address the pressing financial needs, the zoo intends to open the gift shop as soon as possible in order for guests to buy gifts and zoo memberships. All memberships sold during this time will be valid for one year from the date the zoo re-opens. The gift shop will also serve as a base of operations for a soon to be announced volunteer clean-up program.

In the meantime, the purchase to save the land under the Zoo coordinated by the Trust for Public Land is slated to be accomplished very soon. A lease between the county and Zoo is being reviewed. According to the current version of the lease, Naples Zoo’s monthly payments to the county will not be required until the Zoo re-opens its doors.

Naples Zoo is tremendously grateful for the numerous calls, e-mails, and good people stopping by offering to help. As conditions in the gardens allow, volunteer opportunities will be made available to physically help in the recovery process. Updated information will be posted at the Zoo’s website at www.napleszoo.com. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is nationally accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road in Naples across from the Coastland Center mall. To learn more, click www.napleszoo.com or call (239) 262-5409.