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2008 Calendar of Events:
See what's coming up for the year!
Plan ahead for a wild year of fun times
with your family in the Zoo!
Zoo Offers Free Tickets to new Panther Friends Members on May 16, 2008
On Friday, May 16, 2008 Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge are celebrating the country’s third annual Endangered Species Day. Designated as a national celebration of America’s commitment to protecting and recovering our nation’s endangered species, the goal of Endangered Species Day is simple—to educate Americans about the importance of protecting our rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species – and, most importantly, what they can do to help. At the Zoo, guests learn about endangered animals around the planet at exhibits and shows, pick up a free Wild Choices brochure (download now 3 meg PDF) with conservation and money saving tips, as well as receive a free Seafood Watch card to make informed seafood dining decisions. The Friends will also help heighten awareness of our state animal, the endangered Florida panther.
FREE TICKET OFFER when you join the FRIENDS OF THE FLORIDA PANTHER REFUGE
To make supporting our local endangered species even easier, Naples Zoo is offering free tickets to guests who join the Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge at the Zoo on Endangered Species Day. When a Zoo guest joins at the Friends $25 individual level on Friday, the Zoo will donate an adult zoo ticket valued at $18.75 – that’s like getting a Friends membership for just $6.25. And if a family joins the Friends at the $40 level, Naples Zoo will provide an adult and child ticket valued at $29.25 – a $40 value for just $10.75! The Friends will have a booth in front of the Zoo entrance where guests can exclusively receive this offer.
Military Personnel Free with Online Coupon May 16-19.
In honor of those who serve our country, Naples Zoo is offering free admission to all active and retired military personnel with a free coupon redeemable at the Zoo’s ticket box with military identification. Plus, adult and child guests in their party receive $2 off regular Zoo admission during the weekend. Offer valid from Friday, May 16 to Monday, May 19, 2008.
Kids Free with Online Coupon May 23-26, 2008.
With an adult ticket purchase and online coupon, one child per adult purchase can enjoy a free day at Naples Zoo. This offer is only valid with online coupon and paid adult ticket from May 23 to May 26, 2008.
Monster Whose Spit Helps Diabetics
Making Appearances at Zoo
Although many people have heard the name Gila monster, come see them in person. The Gila (pronounced hee-la) monster is the largest lizard native to the United States. Along with Mexico’s beaded lizard, Gila monsters are one of only two venomous lizards known to occur in the world. Zoo guests will see these rare creatures in the hands of venomous-licensed professional presenters at the zoo’s popular Serpents: Fangs & Fiction show.
These thick-bodied lizards reach lengths of 18 to 24 inches and weigh around 3 pounds. Gilas have a black head with pink, orange, or yellow markings across the bead-like scales of their bodies. Their lifespan in the wild is believed to be around 20 years but some Gilas have lived over 30 years in zoos. But what about their spit helps diabetics? Read on.
As it turns out, Gila monster venom is not all bad. In 1992, Dr. John Eng discovered a hormone he named exendin-4 in the saliva of Gila monsters. In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration approved a drug derived from this hormone to treat people with type 2 diabetes. Marketed as exenatide or Byetta™, this twice-daily injected drug also had the added benefit of weight loss in a three year study. A once a week injection is currently under review.
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Saturday, May 10
International Migratory Bird Day
Come celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Naples Zoo. Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites throughout the Western Hemisphere. In 2008, IMBD will explore the birds that make these fantastic journeys, the habitats on which they depend, and the people who are important to the conservation of birds and their habitats along the way. This year's theme is "Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats, and People."
This annual celebration of the incredible journeys of migratory birds will be presented by area National Wildlife Refuges: J.N. “Ding” Darling, Florida Panther, and Ten Thousand Islands along with the Collier County Audubon Society, Conservancy of SW Florida and Everglades National Park.
Receive free materials (while supplies last) about the fascinating world of migratory birds as well as information on birding and great places to bird.
Sunday, May 11
Mother's Day
Mom is FREE at the Zoo on Mother’s Day with an online ticket offer with a child ticket purchase. Tickets available online a few weeks prior.
All New Leopard Rock Now Open! (July 2007)
Get just an inch away from big cats.To create the strongest feeling of no separation between guests and leopards, seven-foot-high glass panels are set within a recess of a rock textured concrete pad – no curb or edge to break the illusion.
The cats and the guests can stand nose to nose on the same even surface separated only by just over an inch of clear zoo-grade glass. Living trees and a large rockwork feature provide natural elements for the leopards to interact with.
Leopard Rock was made possible by a gift from The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit conservation organization.
See more images!
Best Place to Take Kids
The May 2007 issue of Gulfshore LifeMagazine will include the annual Best of the Gulfshore Awards. Naples Zoo has once again received the award for "Best Place to Take Kids" as judged by the editors and expert panelists.
Entertainment "Nature/Education"
Naples Daily News readers also just voted Naples Zoo the first place "Champion" winner in the Entertainment "Nature/Education" category in the Southwest Florida Choice Awards!
Thanks to everyone who voted and judged!
Discover the Wonders of MadagascarAlong the shores of Lake Victoria, rest beneath a thatch gazebo to learn about the fascinating land, wildlife, and people of Madagascar. Home to lemurs and a thousand species of orchids, Madagascar has been called the eighth continent.
At Petrof's Primate Pavilion, you'll not only learn about the extraordinary creatures now living on the island, but also some of their past creatures as well. Walk up to a life-size graphic of a gorilla-sized lemur. Touch a lifesize 3-D replica of an elephant bird egg, the largest egg ever laid on planet earth!
Then learn what Naples Zoo and other zoos are doing to preserve the wonders of this island nation through the Madagascar Fauna Group (MFG). Plus, you can help, too! The zoo is currently raising funds for a new roof for an education center in Madagascar where children come each week to learn everything from ecology to sustainable rice farming as well as lessons in math and French.
Learn more about the MFG online at www.savethelemur.org
Benefits for Collier County Residents
Following the successful vote to preserve the land under and around the zoo, Naples Zoo is now offering benefits to the residents of Collier County in thanks for their overwhelming support. To learn more, click here.