Article written & supplied by the North Fort Myers Neighbor 
By JENNIFER MOSSCROP
Jmosscrop@breezenewspapers.com

The Shell Factory nature park recently purchased a new addition to its petting zoo, a mild-tempered, 3-week old zebra named Princess.

On the day of her arrival last Wednesday, Princess allowed volunteers to pet her on the head and back. Sometimes she let out a cry, as she was getting used to her new home.
Princess is a grant zebra whose bloodline stems from Africa and should grow to be 52 inches high.

She is currently eating warm powdered milk and must be fed a quart and a half every 6 hours for the next three weeks. Soon she will be on a diet of hay, grass and alfalfa.

Her roommate is a white mule named Esmeralda, but Nancy Mitchell, CEO of The Shell Factory said Princess will be moved to the emu habitat, which was originally built for an animal like the zebra, in a month and a half.

 Mitchell said they used the Web to find a reputable breeder and came across Jeff Baird, who owns an exotic animal farm in western Kentucky.

“The Internet allows us to talk to breeders from all over and see what’s available,” said Alene Greto, Animal Care manager. “Jeff has a long history of breeding zebras.”

Mitchell explained that it is the law for nature parks to have animals that have only been bred in captivity.

“We can only get exotic animals that are bred in captivity,” Mitchell said. “You can’t just catch one in Africa and bring them back.”

As part of its expansion efforts, the Shell Factory, which is located between N. Cleveland Avenue and N. Tamiami Trail, recently purchased a female lemur named Lola, a female black swan named Pearl, and a miniature pony named Maggie for an undisclosed amount.

The nature park has over 2,500 visitors per week, according to Mitchell. In the past year and a half, $1 million has been used towards renovations to the park including landscaping and paving.

Mitchell explained that the park has 200 animals and plans on getting more. They currently have an animal wish list that includes an alpaca, male emu, silky chickens and fancy roosters.

“Animals give unconditional love,” said Greto. “Anyone who comes in contact with them gets a smile on their heart.”

“We have never been in this section of the Shell Factory and thought it would be a neat experience,” said Kelly Miloff of Cape Coral.  Miloff brought her two daughters, Baily, 11, and Olivia, 3, to see the nature park. “We love zebras, they’re pretty.” 

The petting zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (239) 995-2141.