Naples, FL (PRWEB) February 25, 2014

The nonprofit Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, and a host of other national, state, and local conservation organizations are celebrating Save the Panther Day at Naples Zoo on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. By hosting the event early on a Free Saturday for Collier County residents, this celebration of our state animal highlights the official Save the Panther Day on March 15 when visitors have rare opportunities to enjoy a host of tours, presentations, and guided walks in areas typically closed to the public at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge.

Open House Schedule: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/florida_panther/events/2014_open_house.html

With the growing population of this local endangered species, Save the Panther Day at the nonprofit Naples Zoo provides an excellent opportunity to meet the organizations working in our natural areas and hear firsthand whats being done to save our state animal as well as how to best live together. This years organizations include Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier-Seminole State Park, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Defenders of Wildlife, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

New Panther Videos

Across Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, over 60 high-speed camera traps purchased by the Naples Zoo Conservation Fund are continuing to remotely monitor our states endangered cats and other wildlife as part of a long-term study to monitor the health of the cats and their environment. While US Fish and Wildlife biologist Larry W. Richardson narrates, guests can see a few short video clips collected by these cameras during the 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. feature shows in Safari Canyon.

Each year, Naples Zoo supports local, national, and global conservation efforts including planting over 100,000 trees a year in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Along with the panthers and other Florida species, Naples Zoo also supports the conservation of many rare animals in the wild including butterflies, lemurs, cheetahs, elephants, giant anteaters, leopards, lions, mountain tapirs, giant armadillos, rhinos, Malayan tigers, giraffes, and more.

Free Saturday: Although the land was paid off years ago, Collier County residents continue to enjoy visiting Naples Zoo at no charge on the first Saturday of each month in gratitude for the 2004 vote to purchase the property. More info at http://napleszoo.org/Collier/

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization cooperating in conservation programs both in and outside the wild for endangered species. The all-day pay-one-price ticket includes admission to both the nationally accredited zoo and historic garden along with all shows, exhibits, and the boat ride. ($19.95 adults age 13+/ $12.95 children 3 to 12, under 3 free. Giraffe feeding and camel rides are available for an additional fee. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age). Naples Zoo welcomes guests daily from 9:00 to 5:00 with the last ticket sold at 4:00 and is located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road across from the Coastland Center mall in the heart of Naples. To learn more, visit http://www.napleszoo.org or call (239) 262-5409 or follow the Zoo on-line at http://www.twitter.com/NaplesZoo or http://www.facebook.com/napleszoo