Palm Beach's Wildest Night

Howard and Michele Kessler with Whitney and Jonathan Clay / Photos by: CAPEHART

02/06/2026

“We are proud to protect what is rare and irreplaceable.”

On a January night at Palm Beach Zoo, those words, spoken by event chair Michele Kessler, resonated deeply as 350 guests gathered for Palm Beach’s Wildest Night, the Zoo’s annual Tropical Safari gala. That message took shape in fur, feathers, and watchful eyes, as the animals themselves set the tone for the evening. Peter the African Cape porcupine rang the dinner bell, flamingos crossed the dance floor, and Fiona the jaguar and Amada the Brazilian rainbow boa connected with guests throughout the night.

Held on the Zoo’s lush grounds, the event raised $2.8 million in support of wildlife conservation and expert animal care. The evening brought donors face to face with the animals their generosity helps protect, from apex predators from abroad to threatened species closer to home.

The night was chaired by Michele Kessler, Chair of the Zoo’s Board of Directors, alongside Vice Chair Jonathan Clay, with Amy Baier serving as honorary chair. President and CEO Margo McKnight underscored the global reach of the Zoo’s mission, noting that support raised in Palm Beach helps protect tigers in Malaysia, jaguars in Belize, and panthers in the Everglades, while creating meaningful experiences that connect the community with wild nature.

At the heart of this year’s Tropical Safari soirée was the zoo’s commitment to big cats as essential forces in maintaining ecological balance. As the auction unfolded and music carried late into the evening, the message was clear: conservation begins with connection, and that is the work the Palm Beach Zoo carries forward every day.