Revitalizing Nature’s Wonders: Naples Zoo’s Pioneering Journey in Southwest Florida

For over 100 years, this 43-acre zoo, garden and arboretum has been a dynamic and evolving resource for the Southwest Florida community and visitors to the area. Naples Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually.

The Zoo is constantly adapting and improving, seeking innovative ways to connect people of all ages with animals and nature and to inspire them to help conserve and protect.

The Southwest Florida community is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation and Naples Zoo’s forward-thinking master plan was designed to meet the needs of this expanding community, allowing the Zoo to offer an exceptional guest experience while meeting the Zoo’s mission to inspire people of all ages to respect, value, and help conserve wildlife and our natural world.

For the first time in Naples Zoo’s 50-year history, the Zoo welcomed a family of Bornean orangutans from ZooTampa. The Zoo also opened new South American habitats introducing visitors to several new species of animals, including tapir, capybara, toucan, and screamers. These beautiful new spaces are quickly becoming visitor favorites.

Thanks to the community’s generous past support, the Zoo was able to break ground on a $14 million new entrance and visitor complex last year, featuring the Jeanne Guglielmi Welcome Center, the Hoffmann Family of Companies Courtyards, and the Hamill Family Education Center that will transform the guest entry experience.

Construction has also commenced on the Ann and Senator Rick Scott flamingo and roseate spoonbill exhibit and a major upgrade of the Zoo’s iconic Alligator Bay, made possible in-part by the LeBouef family and Paul Pacter.

Due to increased construction costs experienced by most organizations in Southwest Florida, the Zoo’s 25-million-dollar capital campaign has grown and is nearing completion. The completion of this capital campaign will help the Zoo dramatically improve and transform its commitment to animal care and welfare, educational programming, conservation, and the guest experience.

Unlike the vast majority of zoos and non-profit organizations, Naples Zoo’s operating budget is fully funded from earned revenues. Therefore, 100% of charitable gifts, contributions, and pledges are dedicated to capital improvements and making the Zoo an even better experience and an even greater resource for our community for generations to come.

For more information, please visit www.napleszoo.org/capitalcampaign.