Happy Holidays from The Belize Zoo!

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A Magnificent Celebration on International Disability Day

News from Jamal and Sharon...

Joy and excitement rang through the air recently at The Belize Zoo, as we held a special celebration to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities.   

BAPDA at The Belize Zoo

The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities, BAPDA,  had inquired about celebrating this important day at the Zoo.  BAPDA manager, Eva Middleton, organized the early December visit.  She had been following the Zoo’s progress over the past year, as we have diligently been working to see that this superb facility become accessible to all Belizeans.  Rose-coloured pathways, which are wheelchair and stroller friendly, wind their way past jaguars and tapirs, toucans and monkeys.  The Best Little Zoo in the World can be enjoyed by everyone now in Belizean society.

Ms. Middleton said that the Zoo was perfectly aligned with the theme for 2013:  “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all”   It had been over twenty-five years since Eva Middleton last passed through the zoo.  She was joyfully astounded.  “Before I lost my leg, I could go into the rain forest.  Today, I felt like I was back in the forest again.” 

A group of about fifty guests from BAPDA and Stella Maris School joined educators Jamal Andrewin and Johanna Pacheco on an exciting Zoo highlights tour. “Lucky Boy” the black jaguar and jaguar ambassador “Junior Buddy” seemed to know that this was a special day.  They wasted no time coming up to greet their guests, and their guests were visibly thrilled.  Everyone had the opportunity to enjoy close up meetings with our national animal, the Central American tapir, and our beautiful national bird, the keel-billed toucan!

BAPDA Guests Meeting Rose the Croc

The excitement did not end with a zoo tour.  As the group gathered at the front of the Zoo for refreshments, Zoo Director Sharon Matola joined Jamal Andrewin to make a special presentation for the group.  A new colouring book, THE ABC’S OF WILD AND WONDERFUL BELIZE, was given to all of our special guests.  Having received support from the State University of New York  at Cortland (SUNY Cortland), SUNY Cortland’s, Inclusive Recreation Resource Center, this activity oriented colouring book, dedicated to children with disabilities, is the Zoo’s newest and proud resource.  Students and professors from SUNY Cortland will be assisting the Zoo in raising much-needed funds to fully finish the accessible walkway.  We are currently 80 percent complete, and look forward to seeing the entire Zoo accessible!

Being so special, the colouring book deserved a special intro! Providing that moment of exciting introduction was a job for a zoo ambassador.  “Rose” the crocodile took on the task with reptilian delight.  As the books were passed out, “Rose” assisted with photo and petting opportunities, adding an element of learning and surprise which was unexpected by all.

Past president of BAPDA, Jerome Flores, who was the Zoo’s expert consultant on the accessible walkway, joined current BAPDA president, Marshall Nunez and manager Eva Middleton, as kind and heartfelt thanks were given.  No one wanted to leave!  The Belize Zoo looks forward to more visits from BAPDA folks, Stella Maris children, and to all with disabilities.  Transforming our beautiful animal sanctuary into an accessible destination, has added a big and shining star to the profile of The Best Little Zoo in the World. 

Lucky Boy Featured on Romantic Travel Belize Site

Romantic Travel Belize has done a special feature on one of our favorite big cats, TBZ's Lucky Boy! Check it out at the following line: Lucky Boy's Story.

It is a terrific feature chronicling an amazing journey and arrival at a place Lucky Boy now calls home.

GOODBYE TO A BELIZEAN HERO: APRIL THE TAPIR

From Sharon . . .

A very important member of The Belize Zoo family passed away very late on Halloween night. April the tapir, who was the oldest living female tapir in captivity, died peacefully in her sleep.  And while all at the zoo mourn her loss, we are focusing our attention on celebrating her life and what she meant to Belize, and to many people living outside our borders.

April arrived to the original zoo, one mile from the present location, in April 1983.  A hunter found her lying in the Sibun River, unable to move.  He brought her to the little beginning zoo.   The small backyard menagerie was just three months old, and so was the young mountain cow.  Christened “April” by the self-appointed zoo director, Sharon Matola, a hard task was at hand.  “April” was in critical condition due to being heavily infested by the notorious screw worm parasite.  Now eradicated from Belize, screw worm was known to kill species of wildlife as well as livestock.  “April” was yet another victim. 

Intensive tender-loving care was provided.  Sharon and “April” became roommates.  Receiving medication and nourishing banana milkshakes infused with vitamins, the baby tapir slowly progressed and improved.  She would live!  Word got out that a young tapir was at the little zoo.  People would wander in to see her.  Back then, what made an impression on “April’s” adopted mom, Sharon, was the lack of understanding which prevailed about the National Animal of Belize.  Constantly, she would hear people say that tapirs were dangerous animals. “They can skin you alive with their flexible nose”.  Sharon and “April” began working together to change the misunderstandings about these special, gentle, plant-eating mammals.  Our National Animal!

Sharon was committed to turning “April” into a star ambassador for her species, which is an Endangered species, too.  Her first birthday party happened when she was two years old.  Six children attended.  Every year, this effort continued, and every year the party got bigger, and bigger….posters were created applauding our National Animal.  School children began visiting more regularly, “April” became a major attraction at the zoo.  A mountain cow you can pet!  And feeding “April” bananas was so very exciting to countless kids. 

Years passed, her popularity grew.  And when “April” turned sweet sixteen, her birthday party was covered on CNN news!   She met royalty and movie stars, and she herself starred in documentary wildlife films produced by Richard and Carol Foster.  She was famous both in Belize and beyond our borders. 

Today in Belize, people no longer attach false myths to our country’s tapirs.  These rare animals are viewed as beloved Belizeans.  The important role they play in maintaining healthy forest ecosystems, is understood throughout the nation.  One animal, “April” the tapir, provided the springboard for a vital environmental awareness.  Her seven tapir “buds” currently living at the zoo will continue to see that the messages she brought into light, thirty years ago, will continue on with zest.  We will miss you, “April”.  Thank you for all you did on behalf of one of the most special animals on earth:  the Central American tapir.  

TBZ CONTINUES TO WORK FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES

From Sharon and Jamal . . .

While our accessible pathway is not yet complete, the attractive pink avenue which presently winds around a good portion of the Zoo, has provided a wonderful recreation area for those who are challenged by disabilities.   Over a year ago, our staff all agreed that it just was not fair to have some of the most stunning wildlife in the world, only viewable by those who can walk easily around the Zoo.   How about our Belizean adults and children who spend each and everyday in a wheelchair?   Or the elderly who would adore sharing the animals of Belize with their grandchildren, but just could not consider a fun day out simply due to the challenges of walking the zoo pathways?  All of these Belizean folks should be able to scratch the nose of a mountain cow, or get mere inches away from Lucky Boy, our gorgeous black jaguar.

In order to make The Belize Zoo accessible, a major development scheme had to be put into place.  Fortunately, our zoo has had the strong support and encouragement from the State University of New York, (SUNY) Cortland, to assist with our efforts.  There are academic formal programs, based at SUNY Cortland’s Inclusive Recreation Resource Center (IRRC), which focus upon the resource needs for those challenged by various disabilities.  Students from these programs, led by their expert instructors in the art of accessibility, have spent time at the Zoo and assisted in seeing that we are a friendly destination for those folks with physical disabilities.

The dream is not yet complete. Our pink pathway must be in place around the entire Zoo, and while funding has stalled the progress, the plans are still “on the boards”.   We plan to have an accessible picnic area outside of the zoo, and of course, with a suitable restroom facility, too.  A pathway there will go from this area-of-chill-out, directly into The Belize Zoo.

Our superb colleagues based in SUNY Cortland, joined by TBZ Environmental Educator, Jamal Andrewin, will be aggressively working together to secure funds which will work to see that the dream of The Belize Zoo becoming completely accessible to all is realized.  This coming December, we will be hosting a day at the zoo for members of B.A.P.D.A, the Belize Assembly for People with Diverse Abilities.  And all Belizeans with physical challenges facing them in their world, will be invited to join in on what promises to be, a most memorable day of fun.

The Best Little Zoo in the World, thanks to our Zoo Friends both here and abroad, is simply becoming better and better.

    

Big Paws UP to Belize Zoo Staff!

From Sharon . . . 

Paws UP to Belize Zoo Staff!!!

After working long and hard on the day of our 32^ndBelizean Independence, Zoo staff Tony Garel, Francesco Chock and George Choc were headed home.  The zoo was closed for visits on the 21^st of September.  However, our special animals are unaware of these important celebrations.   They still need fresh water and dinner, no matter what the day.   You can bet that  jaguar Junior Buddy, Panama the harpy eagle and Brutus the crocodile, are totally clueless about national holidays!

Driving west on the George Price Highway in the vicinity of Cotton Tree, the zoo crew saw a red pick up truck which had run off the road.  It was full of young students.  For a moment, they all thought a minor vehicle problem caused the road detour.  But stopping to check, they saw that the girls in the back of the truck were crying.  Tony Garel, who is the Animal Supervisor at the zoo, noted that no other vehicle stopped to investigate.  To his surprise, one vehicle which did stop, chose not to render assistance. 

And assistance was urgently needed.  Two of the young students were unconscious.  Immediate medical attention was required.   Fortunately, Tony Garel has a firm background in first aid.   With his guidance and firm advice, George and Francisco kept the girls as calm as possible.   Close friends and family members were given a ride along with the girls in need of medical care.   Off they went to the hospital in Belmopan.  The emergency team there reported that their symptoms reflected heat stroke.  Indeed, earlier that day, the entire student squad had been marching in the sun in Belmopan as part of our September Independence celebrations.  How serious is heat stroke?   A medical professional was consulted.  She reported that heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, causes a dangerous lowering of blood pressure, which can lead to systemic shock and organ failure.  In some cases, people affected with heat stroke die. 

Fortunately for the students, the competent and heroic attention given by the staff at The Belize Zoo, and further assistance received from the medical staff at the Belmopan hospital, saw that their Independence Day had a happy ending.  They were kept in the hospital for three hours, and then  discharged.   The incident reflects the caring and responsible principles which are part of the everyday working agenda at The Best Little Zoo in the World.  We care about the animals of Belize.  And that includes our two- legged Belizean species, as well!

Black Jaguar “Lucky Boy” joins the entire zoo staff in giving a well-deserved bigger-than-big PAWS UP to Tony, Francisco and George.  They are true heroes for providing important assistance to the students in need of urgent help on our 32^ndanniversary of Belizean Independence.

BELIZE ZOO GETS APPLAUSE FROM TRIP ADVISOR

From Sharon . . . 

Our entire staff was all smiles when we recently learned that The Belize Zoo received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for the year 2013.  TripAdvisor, known throughout the world, is often called the “guru of trip advice”.   We charted a 4 ½ star rating out of a possible 5 star award!  TripAdvisor interpretation of this puts The Belize Zoo among the top ten percent of attractions worldwide.

 

Proud?  Sure we are.  And we are committed to living up to this superb designation.   Our noted accomplishments include becoming an accessible destination in Belize.   Belizeans with disabilities now have the opportunity to visit “The Best Little Zoo in the World”, as our upgraded pathways are very “wheelchair and walker friendly”.  Moms with strollers appreciate our easy-access walkways, too.  By Christmas, we are expecting to see the entire zoo accessible. 

Sometimes, the upgrades and changes at the zoo are not readily noticed by our visitors.  We are currently working on an exciting  “mountain cow strategy”,  which will see a new addition to popular “Tapir Town”……Watch out for the soon-to-be-on-zoo grounds, the one and only “Fuego the tapir”.    “Fuego”  was rescued in the height of the dry season, when horrific fires were burning throughout the west of the country.   Arriving as a baby to The Belize Zoo, he has been cared for and coddled by our zoo staff over the months.    When “Fuego” makes his debut to “Tapir Town”, his people-loving nature will bring many smiles to all. 

For the past few weeks, zoo staff have been working  on the introduction of our beautiful ornate hawk eagles.   They have lived side-by-side, but not together, for over three years.   Animal introductions should be done gradually, allowing them to accept each other into their home territories.   And are they now a happy hawk-eagle couple?    Delightfully so!  Seeing these beautiful large raptors side-by-side,  is a joy.

And who can leave the zoo not feeling happy after spending time viewing famous and gorgeous “Lucky Boy , our black jaguar?  Once shy and reserved, “Lucky Boy” now seems to enjoy the admiring looks from his visitors, and thrills all with his “stalking behavior”.

“Brutus” our 12 foot American crocodile, never fails to bring about a gasp from his visitors.  “Brutus” has a kind nature, but his massive profile doesn’t usually lead to visitors feeling warm and cuddly towards the fellow.   So!  We are fortunate to have “Rose” the American croc, ready to meet and greet people at the front of the zoo.  Holding her and understanding the special profile of this species of reptile is a memorable experience.  “Rose” the croc is an excellent Ambassador for her fellow American crocodiles out there in the Belizean wild.

All of these exciting “critter-happenings”, and more,  stand behind our latest honoured designation from TripAdvisor.   All at the zoo are so very proud and happy,  and we look forward to continuing on as “The Best Little Zoo in the World”.