Meet Our Team
The Talented Wildlife Professionals Behind ZWF
We are a team of professionals dedicated to promoting the conservation and propagation of rare and endangered species in captivity and sharing our knowledge with others. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Zoological Wildlife Foundation, please click here.
Meet Our Team
The Talented Wildlife Professionals Behind ZWFWe are a team of professionals dedicated to promoting the conservation and propagation of rare and endangered species in captivity and sharing our knowledge with others. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Zoological Wildlife Foundation, please click here.
Book Your Tour
The Talented Wildlife Professionals Behind ZWFWe are a team of professionals dedicated to promoting the conservation and propagation of rare and endangered species in captivity and sharing our knowledge with others. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Zoological Wildlife Foundation, please click here.
The man, the myth & legend Mario Tabraue has made global impact in the animal world, and he continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in the business which sees his legacy and contribution grow exponentially daily.
Co-founder and president of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation he is strongly committed to exotic animal care, nutrition, and behavior, and strives to use his knowledge and experience to inspire others.
At the Foundation, Mr. Tabraue applies his life-long passion for wildlife to create one-of-a-kind experiences with exotic animals, leading to exceptional encounters every day. His years of dedication to this endeavor have allowed him to better understand the endangered and rescued animals that call the Zoological Wildlife Foundation home. Several ZAA accredited facilities and veterinarians from around the world contact Mr. Tabraue for healthcare advice on wildlife in order to extend the survival rate of animals from birth.
Over the past 40 years, Mr. Tabraue and his team have created an environment for animals to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. The Foundation is the realization of a dream and represents his enthusiasm for wildlife around the world. By housing a wide variety of exotic animals that serve as ambassadors for their species, it fulfills the educational and conservation-oriented goals that led Mr. Tabraue to start this journey.
Mother, Boss Lady and Queen of the Jungle Maria Tabraue has entered this next chapter with a new style, same mission, and a desire to change the world through educating the public about rare and endangered animal species in captivity and in the wild.
Co-President and Director of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF), host of the popular podcast It’s a Jungle Out There and fashion star on the rise the Queen has her eyes firmly on the mission.
In 2000, Maria saw her dream come true when she became the surrogate mother to a leopard cub that she named “Gypsy.” As her bond with Gypsy grew deeper, so did her dreams to own a zoo. In 2001 she helped establish ZWF, which today cultivates a one-of-a kind experience for the foundation’s first-time visitors and loyal supporters.
Today, Maria continues to be passionate about the conservation and education of wildlife. She makes it her daily mission to help animals that are vulnerable to endangerment. For the past 15 years Maria has dedicated herself to ZWF by caring for the zoo’s near 200 animal residents and managing the day-to-day operations .
Along with her team at ZWF, she has focused on making ZWF educational, interactive, and fun for families by providing an up-close-and-personal approach with wildlife. This has established ZWF as one of the top attractions in South Florida. Maria and her team at ZWF stay involved with the community and often bring their animal ‘ambassadors’ to schools and special events to educate the community about Earth’s amazing animals.
Maria has always been the person working behind the scenes to make many of ZWF’s partnerships possible. This includes the foundation’s partnerships with the Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Live Like Bella, and the Zoological Association of America. She has also led the foundation’s participation in several conservation programs around the world, including programs in Africa and Asia.
Maria has expanded the ZWF brand to introduce Wildlife Gardens; Situated 30 minutes from South Beach, Wildlife Gardens is an iconic property in Florida resting on 5 acres of land. When you enter Wildlife Gardens, you are transported in a tropical jungle greeted by sounds of exotic birds, primates and ferocious felines.
In addition to serving as the backdrop for multiple TV shows, photoshoots and feature films, Wildlife Gardens is often visited by local and international celebrities – making it a must see and do pit-stop in Miami. Wildlife Gardens has received international and local coverage including The New York Times, CNN, CBS and Miami Herald Tribune.
The man, the myth & legend Mario Tabraue has made global impact in the animal world, and he continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in the business which sees his legacy and contribution grow exponentially daily.
Co-founder and president of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation he is strongly committed to exotic animal care, nutrition, and behavior, and strives to use his knowledge and experience to inspire others.
At the Foundation, Mr. Tabraue applies his life-long passion for wildlife to create one-of-a-kind experiences with exotic animals, leading to exceptional encounters every day. His years of dedication to this endeavor have allowed him to better understand the endangered and rescued animals that call the Zoological Wildlife Foundation home. Several ZAA accredited facilities and veterinarians from around the world contact Mr. Tabraue for healthcare advice on wildlife in order to extend the survival rate of animals from birth.
Over the past 40 years, Mr. Tabraue and his team have created an environment for animals to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. The Foundation is the realization of a dream and represents his enthusiasm for wildlife around the world. By housing a wide variety of exotic animals that serve as ambassadors for their species, it fulfills the educational and conservation-oriented goals that led Mr. Tabraue to start this journey.
Mother, Boss Lady and Queen of the Jungle Maria Tabraue has entered this next chapter with a new style, same mission, and a desire to change the world through educating the public about rare and endangered animal species in captivity and in the wild.
Co-President and Director of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF), host of the popular podcast It’s a Jungle Out There and fashion star on the rise the Queen has her eyes firmly on the mission.
In 2000, Maria saw her dream come true when she became the surrogate mother to a leopard cub that she named “Gypsy.” As her bond with Gypsy grew deeper, so did her dreams to own a zoo. In 2001 she helped establish ZWF, which today cultivates a one-of-a kind experience for the foundation’s first-time visitors and loyal supporters.
Today, Maria continues to be passionate about the conservation and education of wildlife. She makes it her daily mission to help animals that are vulnerable to endangerment. For the past 15 years Maria has dedicated herself to ZWF by caring for the zoo’s near 200 animal residents and managing the day-to-day operations .
Along with her team at ZWF, she has focused on making ZWF educational, interactive, and fun for families by providing an up-close-and-personal approach with wildlife. This has established ZWF as one of the top attractions in South Florida. Maria and her team at ZWF stay involved with the community and often bring their animal ‘ambassadors’ to schools and special events to educate the community about Earth’s amazing animals.
Maria has always been the person working behind the scenes to make many of ZWF’s partnerships possible. This includes the foundation’s partnerships with the Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Live Like Bella, and the Zoological Association of America. She has also led the foundation’s participation in several conservation programs around the world, including programs in Africa and Asia.
Maria has expanded the ZWF brand to introduce Wildlife Gardens; Situated 30 minutes from South Beach, Wildlife Gardens is an iconic property in Florida resting on 5 acres of land. When you enter Wildlife Gardens, you are transported in a tropical jungle greeted by sounds of exotic birds, primates and ferocious felines.
In addition to serving as the backdrop for multiple TV shows, photoshoots and feature films, Wildlife Gardens is often visited by local and international celebrities – making it a must see and do pit-stop in Miami. Wildlife Gardens has received international and local coverage including The New York Times, CNN, CBS and Miami Herald Tribune.
The man, the myth & legend Mario Tabraue has made global impact in the animal world, and he continues to be one of the most recognizable faces in the business which sees his legacy and contribution grow exponentially daily.
Co-founder and president of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation he is strongly committed to exotic animal care, nutrition, and behavior, and strives to use his knowledge and experience to inspire others.
At the Foundation, Mr. Tabraue applies his life-long passion for wildlife to create one-of-a-kind experiences with exotic animals, leading to exceptional encounters every day. His years of dedication to this endeavor have allowed him to better understand the endangered and rescued animals that call the Zoological Wildlife Foundation home. Several ZAA accredited facilities and veterinarians from around the world contact Mr. Tabraue for healthcare advice on wildlife in order to extend the survival rate of animals from birth.
Over the past 40 years, Mr. Tabraue and his team have created an environment for animals to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. The Foundation is the realization of a dream and represents his enthusiasm for wildlife around the world. By housing a wide variety of exotic animals that serve as ambassadors for their species, it fulfills the educational and conservation-oriented goals that led Mr. Tabraue to start this journey.
Mother, Boss Lady and Queen of the Jungle Maria Tabraue has entered this next chapter with a new style, same mission, and a desire to change the world through educating the public about rare and endangered animal species in captivity and in the wild.
Co-President and Director of the Zoological Wildlife Foundation (ZWF), host of the popular podcast It’s a Jungle Out There and fashion star on the rise the Queen has her eyes firmly on the mission.
In 2000, Maria saw her dream come true when she became the surrogate mother to a leopard cub that she named “Gypsy.” As her bond with Gypsy grew deeper, so did her dreams to own a zoo. In 2001 she helped establish ZWF, which today cultivates a one-of-a kind experience for the foundation’s first-time visitors and loyal supporters.
Today, Maria continues to be passionate about the conservation and education of wildlife. She makes it her daily mission to help animals that are vulnerable to endangerment. For the past 15 years Maria has dedicated herself to ZWF by caring for the zoo’s near 200 animal residents and managing the day-to-day operations .
Along with her team at ZWF, she has focused on making ZWF educational, interactive, and fun for families by providing an up-close-and-personal approach with wildlife. This has established ZWF as one of the top attractions in South Florida. Maria and her team at ZWF stay involved with the community and often bring their animal ‘ambassadors’ to schools and special events to educate the community about Earth’s amazing animals.
Maria has always been the person working behind the scenes to make many of ZWF’s partnerships possible. This includes the foundation’s partnerships with the Humane Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Live Like Bella, and the Zoological Association of America. She has also led the foundation’s participation in several conservation programs around the world, including programs in Africa and Asia.
Maria has expanded the ZWF brand to introduce Wildlife Gardens; Situated 30 minutes from South Beach, Wildlife Gardens is an iconic property in Florida resting on 5 acres of land. When you enter Wildlife Gardens, you are transported in a tropical jungle greeted by sounds of exotic birds, primates and ferocious felines.
In addition to serving as the backdrop for multiple TV shows, photoshoots and feature films, Wildlife Gardens is often visited by local and international celebrities – making it a must see and do pit-stop in Miami. Wildlife Gardens has received international and local coverage including The New York Times, CNN, CBS and Miami Herald Tribune.