Naples Zoo Kicks Off Save The Panther Week
 By Tim L. Tetzlaff
Naples, FL - The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, and other conservation organizations are kicking off Save the Panther Week at Naples Zoo this Sunday, March 15. Events throughout the following week will culminate in the state’s official Save the Panther Day on Saturday, March 21 being celebrated at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.
With the growing interest in our local endangered cats, this event provides an excellent opportunity for the public to directly interact with panther experts and get a first hand look at what’s being done to save our state animal. At the zoo itself, guests have the ability to get directly involved with panther efforts by joining the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, the official support organization for the Refuge, as well as meet representatives from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, CREW Land and Water Trust, Defenders of Wildlife, Cat Fight, Inc., Picayune Strand State Forest, and US Fish and Wildlife Service representatives from Ecological Services, Florida Panther and “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuges.
Guests can also ask Larry Richardson questions during special Meet the Biologist presentations at 12 and 2 p.m. at the Zoo’s Panther Glade exhibit, an interactive exhibit created in cooperation with National Wildlife Federation®. Richardson has served as biologist at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge since it opened in 1989.
Plus enjoy opportunities to get into the wild during this special week:
March 16, Mon: Swamp Walk at the Fakahatchee with Mike Owen 10 – 1pm
Explore the "Amazon of Southwest Florida" with Mike as he shares his passion for the Fakahatchee & will open your senses to a whole new world! RSVP March 9-15 by calling 239-353-8442 x 239 or email: events@floridapanther.org.
March 17, Tues: Panther Activity Day at Naples Preserve 11am & 3:30pm
Adult presentation from 11am then enjoy lunch! From 3:30, an after-school program from ages 7 – 11 can join a special “Panther Activity Day” on the Naples Preserve. RSVP by calling 239-261-4290 or email: PreserveCaptains@aol.com
March 18, Wed: “Panthers in Peril” talk at the Conservancy with Dave Shindle 6 – 8pm
Featuring Conservancy Biologist. Discover why only 80-100 of these elusive creatures remain. Enjoy one-of-a-kind photos from field research in the Florida panthers’ territory. Free for members, $35 for non-members. Everyone must still RSVP by calling Jean at 239-403-4207.
March 19, Thurs: Hiking Deep Lake at Big Cypress National Preserve 9am – 12pm
Rangers from Big Cypress take visitors out on a nature trail that leads to Deep Lake. Learn about plants, signs that animals leave behind, & more! SOLD OUT
March 19, Thurs: "Fakahatchee, the Amazon of North America” by Mike Owen 1pm
Mike’s non-stop commentary serves both to entertain and to teach, as he shares photos and his 15 years of experience. Location: Clyde Butcher’s Everglades Gallery $25/person with 50% donated to Friends of Fakahatchee. Hosted by Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. SOLD OUT
March 20 Fri: Cycling Bear Island Grade 9am - Noon Bicycle the Big Cypress National Preserve (a 14 mile trail) & learn about Panthers from the Rangers. Maximum group size is 15 participants so make your reservation early! SOLD OUT.
March 21, Sat: Save the Panther Day at the Panther Refuge Open House 8 a.m. to Noon
Share a fun day with your family, while exploring the Panther Refuge by swamp buggy or by walking trails. Learning about birds, plants and orchids, and of course, look for the wild panther! Learn more about what YOU can do as an individual to help save the panther and its habitat. We offer tours, educational information, and fun kids activities! RSVP Starting March 9 - 20 Space is limited. Sign up by calling 239-353-8442 x 239 or email: events@floridapanther.org.
Naples Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization cooperating in conservation programs both in and outside the wild for endangered species. Daily presentations include Alligator Bay Feeding, Meet the Keeper Series, Snake Sunbathing, along with two premiere presentations: Planet Predator and Serpents: Fangs & Fiction. Both of these feature shows take place in the Safari Canyon Theater where guests see live animals from feline predators to venomous snakes along with exciting video footage. 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.
The all day pay-one-price ticket includes admission to both the nationally accredited zoo and historic garden along with all shows, tours, exhibits, and the boat ride. ($19.95 adults age 13+/ $11.95 children 3 to 12, under 3 free. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age). Annual memberships and discount tickets are also available online at www.napleszoo.org. Visitors enjoy healthy meals at the SUBWAY® Cafe and shop for wild gifts at tame prices in The ZOO Gift Shop. Naples Zoo welcomes guests daily from 9:00 to 5:00 with the last ticket sold at 4:00 and is located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road across from the Coastland Center mall in the heart of Naples. To learn more, click www.napleszoo.org or call (239) 262-5409.
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