A pleasant combination of tropical gardens and animal displays, the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a county-owned property with an extended and storied previous.
Almost a mile circuit of pathways meander round giant enclosures and thru lush gardens topped with the area’s signature royal palms.
Strolling the Shoreline PathPositioned on the western shore of the Gordon River simply north of an entry level to the Gordon River Greenway, it adjoins that protected river basin.
A person-made lake and islands courting again not less than half a century supplies an expanse of waterfront the place native birds collect and feed.
It is a superb birding web siteAssets
Overview
Location: NaplesTrailhead: 26.168249,-81.790896Address: 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, NaplesFees: $27 ages 13-64; $26 ages 65 and up; $18 ages 3-12Restroom: In a number of locationsLand supervisor: Collier CountyPhone: 239-262-5409
Open 9 AM – 4:30 PM, final entry 3:30. Closes Thanksgiving and Christmas.
No pets. No smoking. Small coolers and picnic lunches permitted.
Reductions for county residents and Florida residents. Memberships out there. Guided strolling excursions out there.
Instructions
In regards to the Zoo
In 1917, botanist Henry Nehrling moved from Gotha to Naples after a freeze devastated his Palm Cottage Gardens close to Orlando.
He established his “Tropical Gardens” in 1919 at this spot, and cultivated fancy leaved caladiums on the market.
A few of his authentic plantings stayUncared for after Nehrling’s dying in 1929, the gardens lay wild till 1946.
That was when hotelier Julius Fleischmann, who took an curiosity in overhauling downtown Naples, bought the property.
A tangle of tropical plantings within the previous Nehrling GardensRestored and revitalized, it reopened as “Caribbean Gardens” in 1954, the title we bear in mind from childhood visits.
A lush paradise of tropical vegetation, it lured vacationers to Naples. Topped with a toucan, the massive signal out on US 41 caught everybody’s consideration.
The unique toucan of Caribbean GardensBy 1969, wild animals turned part of the surroundings. The park underwent a change of path beneath Larry Tetzlaff, rebranded as Jungle Larry’s Safari.
A protracted-time animal collector and a stuntman for Johnny Weissmuller, “Jungle Larry” and his spouse Nancy “Jungle Jane” produced nature documentaries within the Nineteen Sixties.
Within the 70s, they displayed many massive catsTheir path to Naples began with a small zoo inside Cedar Level, a preferred amusement park alongside the shoreline of Lake Erie in Sandusky, Ohio.
Leasing Caribbean Gardens for a year-round web site meant rigorously siting their animal enclosures so not one of the established gardens have been displaced.
Enclosures shaded by an enormous lofty figTwenty years after Larry’s passing, Fleischmann’s household needed to promote the property. Voters in Collier County authorised the county’s buy of the zoo.
The title modified once more, to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. Nancy Jane Tetzlaff and her sons helped to form what you now see.
Malaysian tiger enclosureAnimal enclosures are thematically clustered not far contained in the gates. Each native species and exotics are represented, from gopher tortoises to anteaters.
A primate expedition cruise brings guests near islands in “Lake Victoria” to see a wide range of primate species.
Lemurs on one islandA core portion of what was Caribbean Gardens sweeps in the direction of the Gordon River basin. Notable timber courting again to every period of plantings are marked.
It retains a core of Nehrling’s authentic backyard, with pathways winding between tropical timber making it a pleasant vacation spot for backyard fans.
Path by way of a palm groveDiscover Extra!
Slideshow
See our images from the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Close by Adventures
Zoo Map Official Web site
Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Good friend & John Keatley, Florida authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.
