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NAPLES — 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 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.

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.

With more than 1,800 species now listed as threatened or endangered around the world, awareness and education efforts are crucial. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there are about 60 species in Florida and over 40 in Collier County listed by the state or federal government as threatened, endangered, or of special concern from coral and crayfish to sturgeon and salamander as well as the better known manatees and panthers.

Help celebrate Endangered Species Day at Naples Zoo by learning about endangered species and discovering how to provide habitat for wildlife at the Zoo’s NWF certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

You can help native birds by doing everything from planting appropriate shrubs to keeping your cat indoors. (By the way, did you know it was against the law in Collier County to let your cat run loose?) Southwest Florida has extraordinary natural resources and guests can meet representatives from one of those wild areas, the Florida Panther Refuge.

Conservation with Every Ticket & Button Purchase To enhance Naples Zoo’s commitment to conservation, Naples Zoo implemented a 25 cent conservation fee on November 19, 2007. 100% of this nominal fee goes to the Naples Zoo Conservation Fund.

Naples Zoo is one of the first few accredited zoos in the nation to implement this program. In addition, Naples Zoo guests also receive a Naples Zoo Conservation Fund tiger button when they donate a dollar or more to the Fund. Nearly 1,000 buttons have been sold to date this year! The Naples Zoo Conservation Fund currently supports scientific research, wildlife management projects, habitat protection, and conservation training.

This coming year, Naples Zoo guests, zoo members, and the community will have an opportunity to vote on where these funds will be dedicated from a selection of worthy conservation projects identified by the Zoo Board’s conservation committee.

The all day pay-one-price ticket includes admission to both the nationally accredited zoo and historic garden along with all shows, tours, exhibits, and the boat ride. ($18.75 adults age 13+/ $10.50 children 3 to 12, under 3 free. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at least 18 years of age).

Annual memberships and discount tickets are also available online at www.napleszoo.org. Visitors enjoy healthy meals at the SUBWAY® Cafe and shop for wild gifts at tame prices in The ZOO Gift Shop. Naples Zoo welcomes guests daily from 9:30 to 5:30 with the last ticket sold at 4:30 and is located at 1590 Goodlette-Frank Road across from the Coastland Center mall in the heart of Naples. To learn more, click www.napleszoo.org or call (239) 262-5409.