Tim L. Tetzlaff
Director of Conservation | Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Tim is honored to be the son of Naples Zoo founders and educators Lawrence and Nancy Jane Tetzlaff and to carry on their conservation tradition. Growing up, Tim worked in a variety of roles with the animals including presenting and narrating shows and hosting educational talks as well as preparing animal diets and caring for animals as a keeper. He pursued two degrees at The Ohio State University before returning to work with wildlife. Today, his primary role focuses on animals in the wild. He enjoys collaborating with state and federal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations on regional Florida programs involving panthers, bears, bats, and pythons as well as a suite of international efforts including spending over a month a year in Africa each year. Tim also heads up Naples Zoo’s travel program.
Tim was elected Chair of the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group in 2018, an entity he has served since the 1990s. He sits on the Board of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation and is President of the Florida Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is also on their Conservation Committee. He is a member of the Bear Technical Advisory Group for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Tim is a former member of the Wildlife Conservation Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). He also previously served on the AZA’s Conservation Education Committee, Public Relations Committee, and other ad hoc committees winning two AZA awards for Outstanding Service. |
He and his wife were married in 1988 and their daughter has her degree in Chinese (Mandarin) from his alma mater, The Ohio State University.