Limited Number Of Night Vision Tours Available At Naples Zoo

By Tim Tetzlaff

Naples, FL - There's so much new on the Night Eyes Tours! New night vision scopes, new animals, new behind-the-scenes moments! Using night vision technology, participants will be able to see the nocturnal activities of rare animals in the dark with their own night scope.

Guests will be personally guided in the darkness by Zoo Director David Tetzlaff and staff for over two hours through the tropical jungle filled with endangered species like Malayan tigers and the new fosas from Madagascar. Along the way, they will also meet animals up close (like a Gila monster!), interact with natural artifacts, engage in behind-the-scenes experiences, and cruise through islands of monkeys, lemurs, and apes.

Get a First Look at the Bears! Black Bear Hammock is scheduled to open early in 2009. The Black bears for the exhibit, however, are already here behind-the-scenes! Night guests will be some of the first to see the bears in an all new up-close experience not available to the general public.

Touch a Venomous Snake - Safely:  That's right. It may be a Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Cottonmouth moccasin, Southern copperhead, or Timber rattler and participants will be able to say they've touched one. The snake will be comfortably resting in an acrylic tube that is used during regular health monitoring. And ophidiophobes don't have to touch if they don't want to.  For those who aren't deathly afraid of snakes, it's a rare and absolutely thrilling opportunity. 

Visit www.napleszoo.org/night for more info, tour dates, and to purchase tickets. 

A limited number of Night Eyes Tours are offered each season and only 20 guests are on each tour. Guests MUST be strong walkers in good health and sign a release form. Cost per person is $84.95 for Naples Zoo members and $99.95 for non-members. Because of the nature of this experience, participants must be at least 17 and all 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.  

Book Early: Featured in The New York Times and regional publications, these tours sell out each year. 

Naples Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization cooperating in conservation programs both in and outside the wild for endangered species. Annual memberships and discount tickets are also available online at http://www.napleszoo.org/. Naples Zoo is located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road across from the Coastland Center mall. To learn more, visit the website or call (239) 262-5409.