Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens sits on 43 acres in Naples, Florida, blending a working zoo with a botanical garden whose roots stretch back over a century. The land was first planted in 1919 by botanist Henry Nehrling, who relocated part of his personal plant collection there after a hard freeze damaged his original central Florida garden.
After Nehrling’s death in 1929, the gardens sat neglected for more than two decades until businessman Julius Fleischmann Jr. reopened the property as Caribbean Gardens in 1954. The zoo as visitors know it today took shape on September 1, 1969, when big-cat performers Jungle Larry and Safari Jane (Larry and Jane Tetzlaff) brought their exotic animal collection to the site.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Naples, Florida
- Opened: 1969 (gardens date to 1919)
- Size: 43 acres
- Species: About 70 species
- Annual Visitors: Over 350,000
- Famous For: Malayan tigers, reticulated giraffes, and primate islands on Lake Victoria
A Garden Turned Zoo
What makes Naples Zoo distinct is how its two identities layer on top of each other. The roughly one-mile main path winds through mature botanical plantings that predate the zoo itself by half a century, so guests pass towering specimen trees and tropical foliage between animal habitats rather than through typical paved exhibit corridors.
The zoo earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2001, more than three decades after opening, and in 2004 Naples voters approved a referendum to help the nonprofit purchase the land outright, which it completed when it became a 501(c)(3) organization in 2005.
Animal Collection
Naples Zoo is home to around 70 species, including reticulated giraffes, Malayan tigers, clouded leopards, and cotton-top tamarins. Several primate species live on islands within the zoo’s Lake Victoria, a layout that lets visitors view the animals from walking paths and boat tours without traditional barriers.
The zoo has also served as a home for rescued Florida panthers, including a resident named Athena, reflecting its role in regional wildlife rehabilitation alongside its exhibit collection.
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A field guide that keeps the animal spotting going on the drive home and at home.
Zoo days are long and the shade isn't always where the animals are.
Clips to a stroller, wagon or backpack strap. Quiet enough that it won't wake a napping toddler.
Naples Zoo FAQs
How big is Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens?
The zoo covers 43 acres in Naples, Florida, combining animal habitats with a historic botanical garden.
When did Naples Zoo open?
The botanical gardens date to 1919, but the property opened as a zoo with exotic animals on September 1, 1969. It later earned AZA accreditation in 2001.
How many species live at Naples Zoo?
Naples Zoo is home to approximately 70 species, including Malayan tigers, reticulated giraffes, and clouded leopards.
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Photo: Exupery67 / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.