Gratitude for Rhinos in a Changing World By Tim L. Tetzlaff, Naples Zoo's Director of Conservation
Growing up reading books about Africa printed in the early 1900s, I felt like I held the yellow pages of history itself. But those authors saw only a slice of time. Later I learned their tales of an unpeopled Serengeti were skewed observations caused by a disease accidentally unleashed in 1887 that drove a famine that killed an estimated two-thirds of the Maasai people in Tanzania alone – what has “always been” may be a recent anomaly.
Above: Tetzlaff's first black rhino sighting in Ngorongoro Crater.
Naples Zoo
at Caribbean Gardens
Naples Zoo
Member Newsletter
Spring 2021
www.napleszoo.org
1590 Goodlette-Frank Road Naples, FL 34102
When Serengeti’s first people left footprints in the fossil record, a volcano rivaling the famed Mount Kilimanjaro dominated the landscape. But that giant vanished from Tanzania’s horizon as it erupted and collapsed in on itself some 2.5 million years ago. What remained was Earth’s largest unbroken, unflooded caldera that we now call Ngorongoro Crater. Over the eons, the 100-square-mile crater attracted a wealth of wildlife residing within its 2,000-foothigh walls.
It was in our charmed era of Ngorongoro’s history that I first saw its wonders in the 1972 photos and films of my late father, Lawrence “Jungle Larry” Tetzlaff. Growing up marveling at the abundance of its wildlife, what happened over the 20 following years is still hard to fathom. With relentless poaching fueled by high prices for rhino horn to concoct useless medicines, Tanzania’s 22,000 black rhinos suffered a terrifying free fall – stopped short with just 25 surviving by 1990.
New at Naples Zoo: Babies & More One of the many perks of being a Naples Zoo Member is being able to visit as much as you'd like. You're able to see updates the Zoo makes as they happen, as well as watch baby animals grow up.
As we’ve learned this last year especially, things can change dramatically. A none too subtle reminder to appreciate what we have today. Kilimanjaro has not always towered over the plains, but we live in the age where we can witness the paradox of snow on the equator. Africa’s rhinos nearly went extinct in our lifetime - nearly. In 2019, I met with the rangers who allow us to still say “nearly.” It’s sobering to meet with them. About 1,000 of the world’s park rangers have been killed in the line of duty over the past 10 years. As we discussed their needs, the first answer was easy: tents so rangers could camp in the bush and keep close tabs on the rhinos. And at less than $10,000 that seemed possible for the Zoo’s conservation fund. The second need did not. The Crater stretches over 10 miles across. To monitor the rhinos, rangers need high-powered, tripod-mounted binoculars. They only had a couple. The quote for equipment and import taxes could reach over a quarter million dollars which exceeded their resources – and ours. But having successfully negotiated for equipment before, I told them I’d look into it. No promises. Upon my return to the States, I eventually sourced a manufacturer who could provide the specifications needed at a greatly reduced price. Arrangements through the Tanzanian government relieved the tax situation. As most of the Zoo’s core conservation budget is committed to our ten field staff and existing long-term commitments, the majority of funding for these two projects was generously donated by travelers who had been to Ngorongoro Crater on a Naples Zoo safari – at a combined cost of less than $30,000. The tents are already in use and a sample telescope has been successfully field tested. The rangers eagerly await the full order of telescopes by this summer. I look forward to gazing through one on my next visit – and pausing to reflect that I am blessed to live in a moment Above: A ranger in Ngorongoro Crater finds a curious black rhino very close. when Africa’s rhinos still wander her light-soaked The telescope will be able to identify individuals from miles away. plains. You are, too.
We Need YOU to be a Zoo Guardian! Zoo Guardians are important friends who support Naples Zoo with a monthly gift of any size. This ongoing support is incredibly important – it helps the zoo plan and prepare for the unexpected (like a pandemic!). It can also make giving less stressful for you, too! For example, giving a smaller amount like $10 a month can be a lot easier on your budget than giving one gift of $120. And, once you set up your recurring gift with a credit card, it happens automatically each month for as long as you choose. You set it and forget it! Plus, you will receive special messages from our animal friends by email from time to time. In just one year or less, your monthly gift of: $5 can feed Athena the Florida panther for a week. $20 can fund a ZOOMobile visit. $50 can help keep our hospital stocked with supplies. $100 can feed all the giraffes for two weeks.
Zoo Babies: 2021 has already been an exciting year. On January 17, our first female mountain bongo calf was born. She was named Amali, which is Swahili for “hope”. It's also a perfect complement to her mom's name - Amara. On March 8, we celebrated the birth of a male slender-horned gazelle calf (pictured above) to first time mother Evita. He was named Mac-n-Cheese, but is affectionately called "Mac" by his keepers. Since his half-brother's name is Colby-Jack, the keepers wanted to make sure this little one also had a cheese name. Amali and Mac are on exhibit for guests to see. They share the exhibit across from our tortoises and next to our cotton-top tamarins. Primate Moves: Next time you take a ride on the Primate Expedition Cruise, you may notice some new residents! Red-ruffed lemur boys Chip, Pico, and Jalapeno, who were born May 2019, have moved out of the exhibit next to the fosa and onto their very own island. Ring-tailed lemurs Nick and PJ have moved into the old red-ruffed lemur exhibit. PJ recently came to Naples Zoo from the Duke Lemur Center to be paired with Nick as part of the AZA Species Survival Plan ®.
Also, remember that for this tax year 2021, even folks that do not itemize will be able to take an “above the line” deduction of up to $300 for an individual or $600 for a joint return. Your monthly gifts can count toward that deduction! If you have any questions, contact Savannah Perry at (239) 262-5409 ext 145 or at sperry@napleszoo.org. Savannah manages the Zoo Guardian program and would love to speak with you. If you are ready to become a Zoo Guardian, you can contact Savannah or set up your recurring gift online at napleszoo.org/donate.
Copyright © Brick Live Group Limited. All rights reserved. Brick Live Group Limited is an independent producer of BRICKLIVE and is not associated with The Lego Group. LEGO® is a trademark of Lego Juris A/S.