TBZ Project - Pictures with Santa

Ho Ho Ho! Back on December 6, 2009, The SUNY Cortland Belize Zoo Project hosted a fund raising event on campus. Santa was played by none other than Tom Pasquarello, faculty advisor to the student club. All student government clubs and organizations have to hold at least one fundraising event per year, and the proceeds from this event will fund the club's activities next semester.

The event was a great success with more than 100 kids of all ages turning out for a photo. Some of those kids included local elementary school children as well as college students. Even the SUNY Cortland women's basketball team showed up for a team photo with Santa! More than $175 was raised.

Pictured above with Santa are the wonderful students who make up TBZ Project on the SUNY Cortland campus, and who organized this special event. Happy Holidays!

Panama the Harpy Eagle Celebrates His 7th Birthday!

It was a special day at The Belize Zoo! Balloons and posters decorated the area where “Panama” the Harpy Eagle calls home, and some very special visitors were on hand to sing him his Happy song!

Seven years have passed since “Panama” was hatched in the country of Panama. He was to be part of the important Harpy Eagle Restoration Program, a vital project aiming to put Harpy Eagles back into the forests of Central America.

These beautiful raptors, top predators in the tropical forests, are considered to be “nearly extinct” in Central America. And this vital program seeks to re-establish their important presence.

However, when “Panama” hatched in late 2002, it was noted that his left eye was seriously

damaged from this “exit- the- egg” action! And due to this unfortunate hatch-incident, the Harpy chick was unable to be released into the wild. So, the baby eagle was given to The Belize Zoo as an “education ambassador for his species,” and his presence at the “Best Little Zoo in the World,” has been nothing short of ultra-magnificent!

Named “Panama,” to recall his birthplace, this charismatic bird-of-prey has alerted thousands to the important role his species plays in tropical forest ecology. Children call him by name, and he readily responds! Chirping and opening his massive wings, “Panama” obviously enjoys sharing time with his many visitors.

This year, the children from the local pre-school of La Democracia, arrived to the zoo ready to sing him his birthday song. They were accompanied by Mrs. Barbara Thummalapally, the wife of the USA Ambassador to Belize, Mr. Vinai Thummalapally. Affectionately called “Miss Barbara” by the pre-schoolers, she, herself a teacher, was keen to note the important role that “Panama” plays in bringing to all a greater awareness about our Belizean environment.

“Seeing “Panama” the Harpy Eagle leads to falling in love with him!” Yes, indeed! And saving his

species in the wild means that we must protect and respect these rare raptors, and work to ensure that their forest home remains in a healthy state for years to come. Happy Birthday, “Panama”!!

It's a Howlin' Success!

At The Belize Zoo, sometimes animals are received that can be rehabilitated for a life back into the wild. For instance, a few of the species TBZ has rehabilitated and set free includes Anteaters, a Jabiru stork, and a pair of Bat Falcons.

When it comes to primates, both the Spider Monkey and the Howler Monkey, TBZ is lucky to be able to work in concert with primatologist Robin Brocket. Robin heads up the Wildlife Care Center and for well over a decade or more, she has been restoring monkeys back into the forests of our country. Many times, the monkeys have been kept illegally as pets. Government officials at the Forest Department will confiscate wildlife held illegally, and then bring the animals to facilities which can properly manage these species, or in the best situation, rehabilitate them for release back into the wild.

For confiscated monkeys, anyone “in the know “ here in Belize, realizes that Robin’s expertise is to be trusted for restoring monkeys held in captivity back into a wild environment. The process begins with Robin providing native foods for the monkeys, foods which they will later seek out as they forage along in their wild habitat. Monkeys are real “troopers’!! They live in troops with a bit of a social structure. Robin has found that the success rate of a monkey introduction is far more likely if a small group is first brought together, trained to eat their favourite available browse foods, and then, released together as a compatible troop, back into the forest.

If a Spider Monkey or a Howler Monkey proves to be lacking the “primate powers” for a sound life in the wild, then, Robin works with Zoo officials to see that a smooth introduction occurs within the established "Monkey Homes" at the zoo. It is very tricky “Monkey Business.” However, both species are positioned to have brighter futures due to the complementary work established between the Wildlife Care Center and The Belize Zoo.

A very important lesson to convey, monkeys make bad pets! It is not only illegal to keep both the Spider and Howler Monkeys as pets, but having a monkey in close proximity to us, can pose serious health problems to both monkeys AND people! Hey! Best to keep them wild in the wild!!

Give a Jaguar a High Five!

He is the King of “Meet and Greet” at The Belize Zoo, and his name is “FieldMaster.” This too-gorgeous-for-words male Jaguar, weighing in at about 130 lbs, is a former “problem jaguar” and a star graduate of the zoo’s “Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation” program.

“FieldMaster” got into trouble during the year 2005. His hunting skills turned from the usual Jaguar prey of gibnut, armadillo and peccary to dogs. Dogs! “FieldMaster” was unaware that his appetite for home-dwelling potlickers was causing high stress levels in the communities along the Western Highway.

What a bold Jaguar he was! “FieldMaster” was not shy when it came to taking prey, and on repeated occasions, was found under a stilt-raised house, obviously in search of a meal.

Finally, afraid that more dogs, and perhaps other food items like free-ranging hens, would become a meal for this large cat, The Belize Zoo was requested, through the Forest Department, to set a trap. If captured, there would be an end to this worrisome situation.

Using a dog as “bait,” this big fellow was easily trapped, and then transported to the Jaguar Rehab facility at the zoo. Every Jaguar coming through the program is thoroughly examined by a vet, and his examination pointed to why he was hunting dogs, and not the usual Jaguar prey. Close examination revealed that he had worn out and missing teeth. There were shotgun pellets lodged in his body. His eyes appeared to be “off-set.” In summary, the poor guy was unable to compete effectively for necessary food. Consequently, when he was hungry, finding and taking a dog for dinner was an easy answer to his need for filling an empty jaguar-tummy!

Zoo Director and animal-trainer Sharon Matola, began working with “FieldMaster” every day for long periods of time. At first, and as expected, he expressed aggression and an “I Hate You” profile. How long did this last? Not so long at all! “FieldMaster” quickly learned that he was admired and strongly-liked by zoo staff. He no longer had to risk being shot for his odd hunting behavior. “FieldMaster” began to look forward to being hand-fed chicken dinners, and seemed to enjoy learning “tricks for treats.”

One of the tricks taught to “FieldMaster” was "Give Me a High Five!!!"

Today, zoo visitors can meet and greet the ex-dog killer, “FieldMaster,” and do something unique and ultra-special -- give this beautiful jaguar a “High Five!” He is successful in teaching all who visit that jaguars are beautiful, rare and special. Saving them for future generations is our focus. Thanks to “FieldMaster” this important objective is expressed with gusto. Jaguars Forever!!

Two Ambassadors for Climate Change

The Belize Zoo recently received a visit from our newly appointed USA Ambassador, Mr. Vinai Thummapalay. Ambassador Thummapalay has the issue of climate change high on his agenda, and realizes that the nation of Belize will be affected by this ongoing event. Recent reports show that within the upcoming decade, the profile of Belize will change significantly due to climate change.

Keeping in pace with this concern, The Belize Zoo has noted research accomplished thus far. Important studies state that in order to reduce the negative impacts of climate change, forest habitat must be kept in good and sound condition. Keep forest standing, and there will be less bad impact from climate change.

Fitting in with this vital environmental philosophy is The Belize Zoo effort aimed towards restoring the magnificent Harpy Eagle back into our remaining forests. These large raptors require expansive tracts of forest for hunting and sustaining their species. It has been found that the Harpy Eagles released into the forests of Rio Bravo in northwestern Belize, through the Belize Harpy Eagle Restoration Program, travel great distances within the forests of our nation.

They can’t survive without bush, and lots of it! Ambassador Thummapalay was thrilled to “meet and greet” The Belize Zoo Ambassador for Climate Change: “Panama” the Harpy Eagle.

The Ambassador clearly saw that the nature of a Harpy Eagle does not match a “first impression!” This is a big, big bird who certainly looks fierce, but most definitely has a gentle demeanor. “Panama” happily accepted food from his new Ambassador friend. What fun! Also, what a special time to consider that one common goal, keeping tropical forest intact, will work to benefit both people and Harpy Eagles.

If our tropical forests remain healthy and strong, ALL species will benefit! The Belize Zoo says a happy Thank You to both Ambassador Thummapalay and Ambassador “Panama” for the good work they both do in sharing these important messages with everyone.