THE DAILY WIRE · FLORIDA · 2026-09-17
Naples Zoo Learns Its Fence Works Both Ways
A wild black bear crashed a paid, ticketed event this week by breaking into Naples Zoo, forcing staff to evacuate visitors from the one Florida facility specifically engineered to contain wild animals.
Per the report, the young bear entered the zoo grounds and visitors were evacuated as a precaution while staff managed the situation, an inversion of the usual zoo-escape story that this desk has covered rather a lot this year.
Webster notes for the record that a facility built to keep animals in was, on this occasion, unable to keep one out, a distinction the zoo's insurance adjuster will presumably find fascinating.
For a local's read on the incident, Webster tracked down Doyle, a gator who frequents a pond near the property line and has opinions about wildlife management generally. His account of the bear's arrival differs from the zoo's official statement.
No animals, staff, or visitors were reported harmed, and the zoo has since reopened. Spun and done.
“Folks are acting like a bear showing up unannounced is news, meanwhile I've been sunbathing on the ninth green for six years without a single evacuation in my honor. Respect the wildlife, keep your distance, and maybe don't build a zoo in bear country.” — Doyle, backyard gator
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