Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation Awards $500,000 to the Naples Zoo to Support Renovation of the Former Safari Canyon Theater Stage
The Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded a $500,000 gift to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens to support the transformation and return of one of the Zoo’s most beloved attractions, the stage for the iconic Safari Canyon Theater.
The new Wilson Family Stage will become a focal point of the Naples Zoo, hosting thousands of visitors for up to three animal shows per day. Originally built in the 1990s, the entire presentation area at the center of the 43-acre zoo is being reimagined as the Pacter Family Theater, thanks to a generous naming gift from the Pacter Family, combined with the funds from Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation.
“We are delighted to be a part of this exciting community project which has been a cherished experience for generations of Zoo guests,” said George A. Wilson, Trustee of the Wilson & Johnson Private Foundation. “This project will bring the space up to modern standards, ensuring exceptional care for the Zoo’s ambassador animals and creating a dynamic, engaging environment for conservation education.”
The newly renovated Pacter Family Theater and the Wilson Family Stage are currently under construction and are anticipated to open in early 2026. The new education venue will feature upgraded animal habitats, improved educational technology, and an accessible, state-of-the-art environment designed to deepen connections between zoo guests and wildlife…