Scott Fais, Florida on a Tankful
Beyond the towering palms in the famed Caribbean Gardens, you will discover a legendary piece of Florida that is still going wild.
Where are we?
"Zoo!" exclaimed Jimmy Thomas, 4, a visitor to the Naples Zoo in Collier County.
The Naples Zoo prides its self on a heritage rooted in conservation.
"It's a quote from 'Jungle Larry,' back in the day: 'Conservation is the name of the game,'" said Jeff Carter, the zoo's animal collections manager.
First as a botanical garden, and later a zoological park developed by the famed Jungle Larry and Safari Jane Tetzloff, the Naples Zoo today prides itself on personal experiences.
"We try to create a more intimate atmosphere between our guests and see ing the animals," Carter said.
Here, you can get get up close by foot or sea.
"We would appreciate, while we transverse the islands, you will not make any gestures to the primates," the boat captain announced during the waterbound tour.
Zoo visitors can climb aboard for a cruise around Lake Victoria, where several islands are home to climbing primates.
"The boat tour is, hands down, one of the most popular things we have here at the zoo," Carter said.
The boat trip was a highlight for Jimmy, who was visiting from Bonita Springs.
When I asked Jimmy what the difference was between a monkey and an ape, Jimmy explained, "An ape doesn't have a tail, and a monkey does."
Lemurs, spider monkeys and other primates are always on display. What you won't find in these waters: Gators. They're next door.
Folks flock to watch the feeding frenzies staring Florida's favorite reptile.
Step right up; there a other reptiles to meet at Safari Canyon.
An endangered Louisiana Pine Snake, named Adam, snuggled up to Carter and me while the crowd ate up other animals.
"They wrap around it, so they can constrict it," Carter said, describing the way snakes strangle their food.
"Kind of like this?" I asked, Adam coiled in my arms.
"Yeah, you're getting close," Carter said, laughing.
The biggest attraction is still what made Jungle Larry famous: the collection of big cats.
"Lions, tigers and gorillas," Jimmy said, taking a good look at his guided map.
"Any bears?" I asked him.
"No," Jimmy replied.
Several prides of lions and tigers are on display, while you can walk right up to a leopard.
"We have the ceiling to floor glass panes. It allows people to come right up next to the animal and be inches away," Carter said. "It touches peoples hearts and minds when they can get that up-close to the animals."
"What was the lion doing?" I asked Jimmy of his encounter with a lion.
"Sleeping," Jimmy replied.
For more travel adventures with Scott Fais, go to Central Florida On Demand, Digital Cable Channel 300. Select Entertainment/Travel and then scroll over to Florida on a Tankful.
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Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
What:
Jungle Larry's Safari lives on at the Naples Zoo where you can go on Safari by foot or boat, or both!
Where:
Naples
Collier County
Hours:
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Last ticket is sold at 4:30 p.m.)
Daily Admission:
Adults (ages 13 through 64): $18.75
Seniors (ages 65 and up): $17.75
Children (ages 3 through 12): $10.50
Young Children (ages 2 and under): Free
Military: Adults with valid military ID enter at child's price of $10.50. Others in party receive $2 off standard admission.
Discount tickets can be purchased at: https://tickets.napleszoo.com/mainstore.asp.
Info Line:
(239) 262-5409
General Questions:
(239) 262-5409 ext. 124
Address:
1590 Goodlette-Frank Road
Naples Florida 34102
Longitude & Latitude to Parking Lot:
(26.16406632595637, -81.64077758789062)
Parking:
Free
Web site:
http://www.napleszoo.org/
E-mail:
info@napleszoo.org
Central Florida Directions:
Expect about a 3 hour, 45 minute drive when using downtown Orlando as a reference point.
From your part of Central Florida, jump on the famed Interstate 4 West. You'll be headed toward Tampa.
Take exit 9 and merge onto I-75 South toward Naples. Cruise for 157 miles and 2 hours 16 minutes.
Take exit 105 for CR-886. Signs will read towards "Naples/Golden Gate." Travel for 0.5 miles or 1 minute.
Turn right at CR-886 West. Also know as the Golden Gate Pkwy. Here, you'll move for 3.5 miles and drive for 7 minutes.
Turn left at Goodlette-Frank Road North. Motor for 0.5 miles or a 1 minute drive.
Woah! Make a U-turn at 14th Avenue North.
Now, pull into the parking lot at the Naples Zoo.