Dumping the Golf Carts and Using Bicycles at Naples Zoo

By Tim Tetzlaff 

Naples, FL - Oftentimes the reason why you do something is simply because it’s always been done that way. Until recently, one of those traditions at Naples Zoo was keepers using golf carts to transport tools and animal diets. Today, however, keepers as well as numerous outside staff move throughout the 43-acre zoo on bicycles. The change benefits cardiovascular health, the environment, and even the budget.

The impetus for change began months ago when Zoo Director David Tetzlaff brought in his bicycle from home to be able to get around the Zoo more rapidly. Seeing Tetzlaff move about on a bicycle also got other staff thinking about the idea. As part of the Zoo’s conservation efforts, switching to bicycles made perfect sense -- but keepers transport large quantities of food for the Zoo’s animals that won’t fit in the standard bicycle basket. Director of Facilities Ralph Williams and the maintenance staff made the transition possible by custom building trailers for the bikes that would meet the needs of the zoo’s animal care staff.

Although extra work for the maintenance staff on the front end, the changeover from golf carts to bicycles will save many hours of labor each year enabling the Zoo’s maintenance staff to focus on other projects that benefit animals, staff, and guests. For zoo keeper Bre Bain, it’s also a win-win. “For us, it’s really good exercise. I also like that it sets an example for others to remind them that bicycles are a great way to get around. Beyond that, it’s also a lot easier for us to move through the Zoo on a bike than with a big golf cart.”

In addition to being good for staff productivity and the environment, it’s good for the budget. Even with initial start up costs, the Zoo could save 40% or more in the first year vs. annual golf cart upkeep and replacements. Year Two will likely generate more than a 90% savings.

The bicycles are a city/comfort style model with wider wheels to handle the terrain behind-the-scenes at the Zoo and came from Naples Cyclery in The Pavilion on Vanderbilt Beach Road. Naples Cyclery participated in the Zoo’s annual Earth Day celebration, Party for the Planet, for the past two years and so the idea of working together more just came naturally. Mark Trudeau, owner of Naples Cyclery, explains, “We were eager to have the Zoo’s help in furthering the public’s knowledge about bicycles being an excellent means of transportation and sustainability. Plus as a community member, we’re happy to support the Zoo and are excited to partner with them to encourage bicycle use.”

Naples Zoo is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road across from the Coastland Center mall in the heart of Naples. In addition to innovative presentations like Serpents: Fangs & Fiction and Planet Predator, the Zoo offers a historic botanical garden and many rare animals. Guests board the Primate Expedition Cruise to glide by islands inhabited by monkeys, lemurs, and apes living in natural habitats. Admission includes all shows, botanical tour (on Sundays), and the boat ride ($19.95 adults age 13+/ $11.95 children 3 to 12, under 3 free. Twenty-five cents of each admission goes to the Naples Zoo Conservation Fund to support regional and international conservation projects.) Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age.

Visitors can also pick up a healthy lunch and snacks at the SUBWAY® Cafe and shop for wild gifts at tame prices in The ZOO Gift Shop. Pursuing its mission to delight guests with the wonders of the natural world to inspire the conservation of our planet’s remaining wild areas and their wondrous inhabitants, the Zoo welcomes guests daily from 9:00 to 5:00 with the last ticket sold at 4:00. Zoo memberships and discount tickets are available online at www.napleszoo.org.

To view Naples Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-2195-Naples_Zoo_at_Caribbean_Gardens