Kids Helping Kids With Cancer

Kids Helping Kids (Sharon, Salima, and her mom, Kim)

Back on December 23rd, a very special fund raiser was held at The Belize Zoo! The Belize Zoo joined with Miss Salima Barrow, daughter of Belize's Prime Minister, Dean Barrow and put forward an effort to raise funds on behalf of children afflicted with cancer. The big event happened at the zoo, with contributions going to the Belize Cancer Center in Dangriga. Those who took part received a signed copy of the new children's book WORDS OF WISDOM FROM HAPPY THE OWL as well as the opportunity to give beautiful black jaguar Lucky Boy a "high Five." Lots of children will benefit from Hopefully, many if not all of these kids will be able to visit the zoo in the New Year. This effort was initially kick started by Miss Salima Barrow. The Zoo was touched by her efforts and carried it forward. Kids Helping Kids With Cancer was a hit, and continues until the 31st of December.

Salima meets Lucky Boy Close-Up!

For a great interview and to hear about the project from Salima herself, play the following news feature recently appearing on Belize News Channel 7:

THIRTY YEARS OLD AND SOARING

On 12/12/12 (at 12 noon, of course) The Belize Zoo celebrated its 30^thanniversary in grand style. The festivities started with a delicious lunch followed by a brief history of the zoo presented by Founding Director Sharon Matola, a delightful performance of Lucky Boy’s song by the La Democracia Pre-School Gibnuts (featuring lead guitarist Sharon “Keef” Matola), and some thrilling singing, dancing, and drumming by a talented group of Garifuna performers.  

After this rousing start, U.S. Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally and area representative, Dolores Balderamos, cut the ribbon to the newly-rejuvenated Gerald Durrell Visitor’s Centre. The Durrell Center now includes “Uppie’s Classroom”, which will be the site of fun-filled educational activities for many of the schoolchildren who visit the zoo. 

The Zoo also used this historic occasion to highlight a progressive education effort, the promotion of a book entitled, PAT THE GREAT CAT.  Written by students from Belize and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the book features a jaguar named Pat who is a graduate of the zoo’s Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation Program.  Once a cattle killer, Pat now lives happily in the Milwaukee Zoo with his mate, Stella.   On the 13th of November, Pat and Stella became the proud parents of two jaguar cubs.

The crowd moved outside to watch as Jerome Flores and his 91-year-old friend who represented the Belize Council for the Aging, cut the ribbon to the stunning new SHED (Stroller-Handicap- Elderly, Disabled) friendly pathways. Several wheelchair users participated in the celebration and it was great to see the huge smiles on their faces as they happily cruised around the zoo throughout the afternoon.

 

Finally the guests excitedly headed to see the one and only Lucky Boy.  This special day was the first time Lucky Boy could be seen by the many fans that had followed the story of his rescue from death’s door, and the now handsome and robust Lucky Boy did not disappoint the crowd in the least.   After Hon. Minister Lisel Alamilla and Wildlife Officer Jazmin Ramos cut the ribbon leading to Lucky Boy’s exhibit, he happily trundled over to greet the crowd!

All in all it was amazing day that perfectly illustrated how the “Best Little Zoo in the World” just keeps getting better!

WONDERFUL WILDLIFE WORKSHOP

...from Sharon:

Led by Dr George Kolias, the lead veterinarian at Cornell Vet School in New York, this informative workshop was enthusiastically attended by many and received strong and positive review.  Veterinarians from Belize and Guatemala joined Forest Department officials and zoo staff, UB students and their instructor “Jaguar-Man” Dr. Bart Harmson,  Birds Without Borders researchers, and noted jaguar researcher, Omar Figueroa,  for two days of wildlife discussions and practical examinations.

Key focus for the discussion part of the workshop was the theme “know your animal prior to any medication strategy or anesthesia regime”.  There have been cases where animals have died during an operating procedure, due to their not being in sufficient health to have toxic “knock down drugs” in their bodies.  This was a major concern about our tranquilizing Lucky Boy for a necessary thorough examination.  So, we waited over three months post-Lucky Boy-rescue.  As he put on weight and became noticeably stronger and more spirited, the wildlife workshop was carefully planned.  All were then confident that his physical condition could accept the heavy drugs, scheduled to be darted into his beautiful jaguar body.

Due to receiving a steady regime of enrichment training, Lucky Boy was not in “super-stress mode” when the vet team approached to give him the drug-dart.   Our boy is very used to human contact, receiving quite a few “high fives” from  zoo visitors.  He also hears a fair amount of guitar strumming (and seems to even enjoy the “Lucky Boy song”),  licks “blood ideals”, and even gets his favourite log sprayed with Obsession cologne!  The cologne acts like a “jaguar cat-nip”, and Lucky Boy responds by rolling on his log, and caressing it.

Dr. George Kolias is conservative about the useage of tranquilizing drugs.  After a successful “knock out”, Lucky Boy was quickly moved to the exam table. Various procedures were efficiently put into place.  Everyone took a guess at his weight.  And everyone was wrong!   The highest weight guess was 150lbs.  Ready for this?  Even though Lucky Boy still needs to put on additional weight, he currently weighs in at a whopping 175 lbs!  And our black jaguar is no small fry.  Measuring him from the tip of his tail to his nose, this big black cat is 6’8”!

Blood was drawn, which will later reveal to Dr. Kolias and our staff, many particular elements of his physical condition.  A mouth exam was next.  And an overall inspection of his physical state occurred before he was gently carried back, still in jaguar-dreamville,  to his management pen.

Important follow up then took place.  Someone stayed with Lucky Boy until he woke up from his drug-induced sleep.  In the event that something would go upside-down and backwards, having him monitored was viewed as an essential “must-do” procedure.

The Lucky Boy exam indeed had a happy ending.  Friendships formed, medical  information about our rescued jaguar we previously did not know was gained, and recommendations due to the veterinarian findings, are now being discussed, which will ensure an even happier life for this superb black jaguar. 

Lucky Boy meets his Belize public for the first time, on grounds at the zoo, December 12^th!  

Sharon and Lucky Boy - October 26, 2012

from Sharon!

Lucky Boy is looking so good, isn't he? Just a little more than three months post-rescue, and look at that beautiful jaguar!

Jerome Gives SHED a Try!!!!

From Sharon. . .

Jerome Flores, our consultant for SHED, Stroller-Handicap-Elderly-Disabled, new walkway (still under construction), paid a visit to the zoo to give the remarkable path a try out. Joined by Berto Wohlers and Tony Garel, who oversee the progress of SHED, the trio had an enjoyable “wheel around” the zoo.

The contrast between the loose-gravel pathway and the SHED upgrade, is truly something to applaud. No longer will guests who are not as mobile as some of us, be left out from a fun zoo visit. There is still much to do, but even with our recent rainy spells, good progress is being made. At this time, the SHED pathway skirts around the jaguar area of the zoo. This is because work is currently going on there to provide Black Jaguar Lucky Boy with his new home.

Jerome also got an initial view of the new SHED deck in front of Jaguar Junior Buddy. The gentle slope will be ever-so-welcoming to any wheelchair, cane, or slow-moving zoo guest. Jerome gave it a HUGE Paws Up! Junior even sauntered over to greet the trio, and would like to see the SHED deck finished as soon as possible. That “Panthera-Prima-Donna” is truly missing attention!

Fundraising in order to see this vital work come to a successful completion is still going on. And PLEASE! If you enjoy good food and good beer and fine company, come out to Flagstaff Mess on Sunday the 28th of October….start up is 2pm! A PIGGIE ROAST with all the trimmings and special guest, Bal Boa, for photo ops with the kids. The price is a mere 20.00, and kids are half of that. Sponsored by BATSUB, this PIGGIE Feast will be a memorable afternoon for all (except for the Piggie…).

Jerome will be doing The Belize Zoo a great honour on the 12th of December. He will be cutting the ribbon to the new SHED pathway, and the day promises to be a very exciting, happy, and fulfilling event.

Meanwhile, we were all happy to see the smile on Jerome’s face as he sampled the SHED pathway. Thank you, Jerome, you are the SHED Inspiration!

CALEDONIA TURNS ON TO JAGUARS!

"Justicia" the Jaguar (aka Celeshia Guy, of TBZ)

[The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center recently shared this article pertaining to the preceding post. Enjoy!]

Just a few weeks ago, a sad event occurred in the Corozal District town of Caledonia. A healthy male jaguar was shot and then skinned. Horrifically, it was shown on the news and many people voiced harsh objection to this unfortunate and unnecessary action.

However, recently, Belize Zoo Education Officers, Jamal Andrewin and Celeshia Guy, created a different “Jumpin Jaguar” atmosphere in this placid northern village. Warmly welcomed by principal Augusto Olivarez, they met and gave fun presentations to over 300 students.

Principal Olivarez kindly invited parents and teachers and the “standing room only” audience was keen to learn all they could about the greatest cat in the Americas: our jaguar. Besides discussing jaguars in Belize, our charming “Junior Buddy” got much review, as did the Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation program, and of course, beloved black jaguar “Lucky Boy”.

No need to kill a jaguar who wanders through one’s lands. These big felines are “roamers”, and it has been documented that a jaguar will easily travel 100 miles in a day in search of a juicy gibnut, deer or peccary. The Belize Zoo has successfully maintained its Problem Jaguar Rehab program. “Junior Buddy”, our star, is residing at the zoo as a result of this program. And happily, a young male jaguar, named “Lucha” was born at the Phildadelphia Zoo over a year ago. His dad was a problem jaguar, named “Frankie”, who was a gift to the Philadelphia Zoo from Belize. All were pleased to learn this.

Of course! The vital Central Belize Wildlife Corridor was spoken about with pride. As time passes, these forested lands will play an even more important role in maintaining our remaining jaguar populations. Lots of applause from the crowd on this issue!

A stark display came about when the skin of a jaguar was brought out for all to see. While the dull and unattractive skin was viewed, there was a large photo of gorgeous “Junior Buddy” gleaming in the background. That message was very clear. What is more appealing? The decayed and sad-looking jaguar skin held for all to inspect, or the glowing look at our incredible natural heritage, the nothing-short-of-being-too-beautiful for words, “Junior Buddy” himself!

Justice and Justicia the jaguar mascots handed out posters and poems to all and it was a terrific day for everyone. Sure would be nice to have a visit to The Best Little Zoo in the World from the kind and charming people of Caledonia - quite a few happy jaguars would enjoy giving a “high five” to these special kids and their teachers!

TBZ and Jaguar Education in the News

Hunting jaguars is against the law in Belize. Despite this fact, several weeks ago, an adult jaguar was killed in the Corozal District village of Caledonia. The Belize Zoo responded to this incident with an education campaign, aimed at children, to teach them not to view jaguars as a threat or to fear them.

Kudos to The Belize Zoo! The full story can be read on Belize's 7 News Channel web site, HERE.

" .  . . the objective was to turn it into something positive to involve this community that have these jaguars and other wildlife very near their community and interact with them probably on a daily basis and the whole concept is simply education and awareness making them have a sense of pride and respect for these animals that they live in close contact with every single day and for them to understand our value in the conservation of our forest and in all the industries that its connected to."  "We were very well received today and so we felt the objective was met."

Conservation Without Borders: TBZ and SUNY Cortland

Please enjoy this special guest post by Belize Zoo Environmental Educator, Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, who recently traveled from Belize and his work at the zoo to SUNY Cortland, to participate in its Field Biology course at SUNY Cortland's Outdoor Education Center at Raquette Lake:

As TBZ approaches its 30^th year, it continues to grow as a superb wildlife conservation facility. The Zoo itself being greatly improved, and its relationships and connections are being expanded and strengthened locally and internationally. 

And, what better proof of this than the Zoo’s recent involvement with SUNY Cortland’s Field Biology course in New York? The Zoo has a very special bond with the wonderful people and institutions of upstate New York, from the continuous animal adoptions by Tully Junior High’s International Club, to the great working relationship with Cornell University’s Vet School, to the fervent and undying support of SUNY Cortland, which even has a Margay adopted in honour of the great university.  The Margay, called “Cortland,” is a star! How so? The smaller cat pictured on the wonderful wildlife corridor billboard at Mile 40 on the Western Highway is the one and only Cortland!

Professor Tom Pasquarello has been the great link between TBZ and SUNY Cortland.  He decided many moons ago that the Zoo had a great deal to offer SUNY’s students, through involvement in their annual summer field course.

Plans were set in motion, and in no time at all, TBZ’s Environmental Educator, Jamal Andrewin-Bohn was off to SUNY’s Outdoor Education Center in the vast forest reserve of the Adirondacks.  There, he took part in their Field Biology Course, under the talented direction of SUNY Cortland Professors Steven Broyles and Larry Klotz, who were well versed in both temperate and tropical biology. As Mr. Jamal joined his SUNY peers in studying everything from Forest and Mountain Ecology, to Limnology, the professors wasted no time in asking him to compare and draw parallels to the ecosystems in Belize.  This gave all the students a valuable insight into the workings of the Tropics.

After the first exciting week of the course, Mr. Jamal was invited to give a guest lecture on Conservation efforts in Belize, showcasing the fantastic work the Zoo and its partners have done on behalf of our country’s invaluable natural resources. Talks on environmental education and the Central Wildlife Corridor impressed students and professors alike. The super cool documentary about Harpy Eagles in Belize, “Hope for Climate Change” was shared, giving a Tropical perspective to the issue of global climate change. The story of the rescue and survival of “Lucky Boy” the black jaguar struck a strong chord with the audience, and was met with thunderous applause. Mr. Jamal was bombarded with questions about internships and research opportunities in Belize through the Zoo by eager students, promising even more collaboration between TBZ and SUNY Cortland. Additional presentations and fundraising opportunities are already on the horizon, as the Zoo gears up for another visit to New York, sharing its latest projects with even bigger audiences!

TBZ greatly values this extraordinary learning experience, and the knowledge gained most definitely benefits the important education objectives and programs of “the best little zoo in the world.”

Paws Up for the Central Belize Wildlife Corridor!

From Sharon . . . 

The photo says it all!   Do we need our wildlife corridor which stretches to the north and south along portions of the Western Highway?   This recent photograph underscores the importance of these remaining wildlands in Belize.    The young jaguar crossing the highway somewhere near mile 40, was following mother jaguar.   She had already crossed.  Luckily, a camera-toting visitor to Belize, took the shot of her youngster, who was following in steady pursuit.

The Belize Forest Department has been actively promoting the Wildlife Corridor.  Working with local scientists, a billboard was erected by St. Matthew’s village, which beautifully advertises these special wildlands.   In addition, Forest Department official Mr. Jazmin Ramos and his fellow officers, have seen that signs are interspersed along the Western Highway announcing the presence of the Wildlife Corridor.

The Belize Zoo environmental education team, Jamal Andrewin and Celesha Guy, have visited schools and communities located nearby or within the Wildlife Corridor territory.   Often dressed as jaguars, they continue to bring into classrooms valuable and fun lessons about these magnificent cats,  who call Belize their home.  It is vital that all are aware of the lands and resources necessary in order to keep  jaguars alive and well in our country. 

What is needed?  A jaguar requires an expansive territory in which to hunt and find mates.   It has been documented that a jaguar will easily travel 100 miles in one day in search of food.  Deer, peccary, armadillo and reptiles will make a jaguar a happy cat when it comes time to dine.  Maintaining our remaining forests in some state of integrity is the key to keeping jaguars in Belize for future generations.

Belize is unique in Central America.  Rare and endangered species of wildlife still, as beautifully shown by the above photo, roam wild and free.  Keeping a healthy amount of our nation forested will serve to provide a strong natural resources profile, and contribute to our important nature-based tourism economy.

Bad development brings environmental degradation as well as a loss of valuable wildlife.  No better example of this exists than the Challilo Dam.  Insufficient energy output.  Pushing our remaining scarlet macaw populations into a future clearly marked by extirpation.  Contamination of the Macal river and the fish in that river.  Sorry, folks.  You can’t safely bathe in the Macal river, eat the fish from the Macal river, or drink the water from the Macal river, as you could just ten years ago.   This is an unsound development scheme.  The Challilo Dam is anything but a balance between conservation and development.  And that necessary balance strategy is what must be put into place in order to ensure that our jaguars will be crossing the Western Highway for years to come.

Lucky Boy, Two Months Post-Rescue!

The Belize Zoo Facebook page had a great post -- a then and now, two months post-rescue, of "Lucky Boy":

"It has been two months since Lucky Boy the black jaguar started his new life at the Zoo. The horror of his condition was made public on July 16th, and two days later, he was heroically rescued and immediately began receiving the vital care he needed. Two months into his road to recovery, this amazing cat has gained back much of his former beauty and strength, and has never failed to meet keepers a

nd visitors alike with a calm, majestic manner, despite his condition. TBZ once again thanks all the wonderful people who have supported Lucky Boy, through donating to his cause, spreading his story, and coming to see him in person. Your continued support with help us make his story of survival a magnificent one!"

Happy Update on Lucky Boy

Lucky Boy, 11 days post-rescue

Those of you who follow TBZ know that in July, a dramatic jaguar rescue took place in Punta Gorda, Belize, after the Belize Wildlife Conservation Network (BWCN) was alerted that a jaguar in captivity was in distress and appeared to be starving to death. You can read the initial news release, and see the frightening photo of Lucky Boy at the time of his rescue, HERE. 

As the TBZ Facebook page shared, "TBZ officials, working in concert with the Forest Department, successfully rescued the emaciated and sickly black jaguar from an abandoned resort southern Belize. Far too weak to withstand anaesthesia as a strategy to aid in his being transferred to the Zoo, a crate was constructed at TBZ, and taken to the jaguar's home the following day on July 19. Then, with much patience and some good beef liver, the thin and sickly cat was gently convinced to enter the crate. Once inside, the door was slowly lowered, and "Lucky Boy" (his new name) began the long journey to his new quarters. "Lucky Boy" quickly settled in and again was fed some nice beef liver and cooked eggs. It will take a bit of time to get "Lucky Boy" fit and beautiful, and we look forward to his being a proud on-site Belize Zoo black jaguar for all to admire!"

Sharon Matola recently sent this encouraging update on Lucky Boy:

Lucky Boy, our recently rescued black jaguar, has settled well in his new home off exhibit at The Belize Zoo. Always eager for his dinner, the guy is clueless about how happy he is making all of his zoo caretakers with such an enthusiastic appetite.  Not that we expected Lucky Boy to turn up his big nose at beef liver, but our consulting vet made a point in stating that some large cats are less-than-happy about eating the critical care canned feline food,  which was brought in special for our Lucky Boy.  Well, Lucky Boy simply loves the gooey mixture, and happily gives a jaguar “high five” whenever it comes his way.

And while his bones are still too prominently seen through his black fur, Lucky Boy has definitely put on some  much-needed healthy weight. The lesions on part of his sleek profile are fading, and his overall behavior and attitude shows us that he is a contented cat. We so look forward to sharing Lucky Boy with our zoo visitors. When will he be introduced to the zoo? More medical attention is on the horizon. Necessary and thorough examinations can only be done if Lucky Boy is completely anesthetized. And anesthetizing  any ill or weak animal is a risky and dangerous procedure. First, we will get him in very good shape, and then follow through with the much-needed and expected revealing examinations.

Lucky Boy’s healthy behavior is just as important as his physical profile.  Before he enters “Zoo Central”, he needs to be TBZ certified cool, calm and collected.  At one time, Lucky Boy lived with another jaguar.  He is very accustomed to cat-company. Lucky Boy’s gentle demeanor indicates, too,  that the boy’s former “Bosch” days were spent being well-cared for. Whatever went awry in his life, we are so very pleased that our zoo staff could work along with the Forest Department and provide a home for him. 

A gradual introduction to his upcoming enclosure mates, Springfield and CT, is a behavior-planned strategy. The zoo has rehabilitated and worked with over 15 jaguars. Every jaguar we have managed owns an individual personality. Introducing jaguars to one another deserves very careful attention. We intend to see that the introduction is done under the strictest of regimes, and due to our experience, all feel that the transfer and introduction process will go forward minus any difficulties. It will be some time before Lucky Boy resides within zoo grounds.  

Several fund raisers have raised needed funds to help in the rehabilitation and care of this beautiful endangered animal including a T-shirt campaign, Indiegogo campaign, and roadside barbecue at TBZ. Funds are still needed, and donations can be made at TBZ's web site, HERE. 

Lucky Boy becomes more beautiful and healthy with each day. Please help if you can make Lucky Boy's dreams come true!

The Eagle Has Landed

Sharon recently shared the following . . . 

Zoo officials were very happy to have been contacted by Mrs. Gina Zabaneh a short while back. She had opened her Eagle’s Landing restaurant, on the Western Highway, just to the east of the Garden City, Belmopan. The roomy and airy dining spot features Belizean cuisine delights.And the restaurant symbol, chosen some time ago, was a Bald Eagle.

Since the Harpy Eagle is a bird proudly living in Belize, Gina wanted to alter the eagle image a bit, creating a local bird representative for Eagle’s Landing. We were more than happy to help! For starters, two posters of “Panama”, the hero Harpy Eagle at The Belize Zoo, were presented to Eagle’s Landing.

Next, Education Officer Jamal Andrewin “re-eagled” the restaurant menu.The Harpy Eagle proudly invites guests to view the menu  with our handsome Harpy overlooking the pages. The food is great Belizean fare! Having a Harpy Eagle introduce each meal is a proud reminder that these birds, native to our Belize and very uncommon, will benefit from as much publicity as possible.

A slight change to the menu, however! Rather than offering “eagle wings” and “eagle tidbits” to hungry restaurant visitors, Mr. Andrewin slightly altered this, to “eco-eagle wings” and companion appetizer, “eco-eagle tidbits”. “Panama “ would most definitely appreciate those minor changes.

On Sunday, the 22^nd of September, The Eagle’s Landing is having a “Family Day”. And for all patrons, after enjoying their Eagle’s Landing meal, and then travelling a bit further east to The Best Little Zoo in the World,  and showing a receipt from Family day at Eagle’s Landing Restaurant, will be welcomed into the zoo for no charge. What a fine dessert, and such a fun way to celebrate our country’s Independence!

Education Officer Jamal isn’t stopping there. He wants Mrs. Gina Zabaneh to come to the zoo, meet “Panama“ the Harpy Eagle, and have a photograph taken so that she can proudly display this in Eagle’s Landing Restaurant.

So, please, move aside, Bald Eagle!  THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!  

Big PAWS UP from Trip Advisor!

From Sharon Matola:

The Belize Zoo received exciting news recently that the most visited internet travel authority worldwide, TripAdvisor, has given the zoo a remarkable 4.5 out of a possible 5 star rating for excellence! How did this come about? Numerous people who have visited the “Best Little Zoo in the World”, took the time to share their fun and worthwhile zoo visit with others….they posted their fun Belize Zoo experience on TripAdvisor, proud to share their special time at the zoo with other people who may be considering destinations to explore while visiting Belize.

Our guest sign-in book, located at our entry building, also mirrors this.  Comments are always positive. Not unexpected, the zoo crew receiving the highest number of OH WOW remarks include our famous jaguar “Junior Buddy”, as well as the mountain cow troop.  We make a big effort towards keeping all of the zoo crew “people-friendly”, so that visitors can get a close and personal encounter with the wildlife which is so special to Belize.   “Panama” the harpy eagle” is not shy at all about flying down to get mere meters away from his awe-struck guests.   “Mrs B “ and “Brutus” our two huge and beautiful American crocodiles, will happily trundle out from their pond to meet and greet their visitors.  

And now, we are positioned to become an even better nature-destination in Belize.  How so?  Our current focus is to transform The Belize Zoo into a SHED zoo.   Becoming a (S)Stroller-(H)Handicap-(E)Elderly-(D)Disable- Friendly destination is on the front burner of our must-see-happen plans of transformation.    Yes!  We are so proud of this recent designation of honour from TripAdvisor, but our goal to become accessible to ALL the people of Belize, no matter what the physical profile commands, is of prominent importance to the entire Belize Zoo staff.  

Belizeans in wheelchairs, or walking with need of a cane, babies in strollers and just plain wonderful older folks will be able to easily enjoy the magical animal kingdom which calls The Belize Zoo home.  A easy-to-walk- and wheel-upon pathway,  will wind itself around the zoo’s  exquisite animal enclosures.  Shaded and comfortable rest stops will be there for all.  Handrails will assist our elderly visitors.

And we look forward to a closer working relationship with the Belmopan Rotary Club .  Our common mission to see that kids with special needs can enjoy the wildlife of their country is playing a big role in fueling both Rotary and Zoo efforts.    United in this worthwhile goal, we will certainly see that the important objectives are met and met with spirit and gusto!

We thank TripAdvisor for this very positive note of approval!  And we eagerly are working towards becoming an even better nature destination in beautiful Belize.   

Belize’s “Zoo Lady” Honored

Read All About It! The following article was recently submitted to the national newspaper in Belize!

CONGRATULATIONS, SHARON MATOLA!!!

The fearless and dynamic Founding Director of The Belize Zoo, Sharon Matola, was once again honoured for her extraordinary contributions to wildlife conservation this year, by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in the USA. Every year, the Cincinnati Zoo hosts a set of lectures called the Barrows Conservation Lecture Series, where internationally renowned scientists, conservationists and nature explorers are invited to present on their work in this prestigious program, with one of the invitees being chosen for the annual Zoo Wildlife Conservation Award. Past recipients have included Jane Goodall, Ted Turner, Alan Rabinowitz, and Robert Kennedy. The 2012 awardee was none other than Belize’s own “Zoo Lady,” Sharon Matola.

As part of her acceptance, Matola was invited to present in the Barrows Lecture Series, which she accepted without hesitation. Her talk, entitled, “Thinking (and playing) out of the box: Conservation Strategies That Rock!” she stressed the importance of engaging the public, community members, and stakeholders, and doing so in fun and creative ways, in order to help them embrace any biodiversity conservation effort. With almost 30 years of conservation work in Belize, Matola had many innovative techniques, experiences, triumphs and trials to share with a captivated audience, but among the highlights, were her instrumental involvement in Harpy Eagle and Jaguar conservation, which were specially noted in her award nomination.

Matola also touched on the current programs The Belize Zoo is currently engaged in, under her learned guidance, such as the “Barn Owls Rock!” outreach program, and the Handicap Friendly Project. The monetary award of $5,000 US that came along with the nomination, Matola proudly declared, would go toward the Handicap Friendly Project, which is geared toward upgrading the Zoo’s pathways to make them wheelchair accessible, and elderly friendly. Her reasoning in this endeavor is that everyone should be able to appreciate Belize’s glorious wildlife in a natural and educational environment at the Zoo.

As Matola’s closing remarks were met with thunderous applause, she was presented with a bronze statue of “Martha” the passenger pigeon, the last member of a species that went extinct with her death over 50 years ago, by the Director of the Cincinnati Zoo, Thayne Maynard. [Sharon is pictured above with Maynard.]

The well deserved award celebrates Matola’s tireless efforts to bring about a greater awareness to the people of Belize, and visitors on a whole, about the unique natural resources of this country.

birthday bash media coverage

From Sharon . . .

April 27th, 2012 marked a wonderful 29th birthday bash for April the tapir at The Belize Zoo! Channel 5 in Belize gave this event some excellent coverage commemorating National Tapir Day in Belize and celebrating April. Read all about it, including some great quotes and photos, HERE.


[Image courtesy of News Channel 5, http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/69729]

National Tapir Day, Belize!

[Click image to enlarge]

MOUNTAIN COW MAGIC!

From Sharon... This story recently appeared in The Reporter newspaper.

April has been a mountain cow special month for over 25 years. The Belize Zoo has been celebrating April the tapir’s birthday for, can you believe, 29 years!  When this fun event first started, only a handful of people would show up for the celebration.  Today, many of the children who attended the first mountain cow birthday parties, have children of their own.

April the tapir’s birthday celebrations have brought  an increased awareness about her species to thousands of people in Belize.  What’s so important about our National Animal?  The Central American tapir, “mountain cow”,  is a vital animal when it comes to keeping a tropical forest healthy and in balance.  They are seed dispersers, providing a living legacy for the growth of a forest that is lush and robust in its plant species.   A healthy forest sustains not only tapirs.  Many species of tropical animals, birds and reptiles, which are unique to our region, require good habitat for their survival.   But besides their scientific contributions to the ecological profile of Belize, our mountain cow is simply a beautiful, sweet-tempered, and very huggable beast, and April the tapir would certainly agree with this point of view!  She will proudly display her charismatic character on Friday, the 27^th of April, as we celebrate her 29^th birthday at the zoo.

In the early days of The Belize Zoo,  scores of people were unfamiliar with the National Animal of Belize.  And many people believed that they were dangerous animals.  It was a common myth that the Central American tapir could “skin a man alive with its flexible nose”…..April the tapir helped her species in a huge way by erasing this myth from our animal-perspective outlooks.  She has met thousands of adults and children and has never skinned anyone alive with her flexible nose.  If the old girl could talk, she would tell visitors that her flexible snout is used to pull leaves from trees in order to keep her big body happily filled up with greens.

The celebration will be complemented by the celebration of World Tapir Day and, HOOORAY!!!  National Tapir Day.   For over five years, the 27^th of April has been proclaimed as World Tapir Day.   Zoo Education Officer Jamal Andrewin, believing that Belize should officially join in with this noted animal celebration, introduced the concept of National Tapir Day, to the Belize government.  Receiving a nod of approval from our decision-makers, as well as sign on support from over a dozen NGOs, National Tapir Day is now here in Belize.

National Tapir Day will serve to bring about a greater awareness, countrywide, about our National Animal,  an Endangered species, to many people.  Providing a strong public profile for our special National Animal, the Central American tapir, will ensure that our future generations will proudly be able to say, that mountain cows live protected and respected in our nation.

ZOO-SPEAK!! SAN IGNACIO and the BLISS THEATRE

Sharon Matola recently shared this article she submitted to The Reporter newspaper in Belize. Enjoy!

Recent days have seen important messages shared with many, coming straight from the heart of The Belize Zoo. Education Officer, Jamal Andrewin, spent a day at the grand science fair event at Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio. Besides showing an attractive display of his work involving the extremely rare harpy eagle, Jamal also had a colorful large poster showing the Central Biological Corridor, and some of the animals who call this important area their home. Developed by the Forest Department, this same poster, featuring our gorgeous puma, “Carlos”, is always on display by our puma exhibit.

Jamal also gave a presentation to high school students, detailing some of the zoo’s important conservation work, which is soon to be “out and about”. His continued excitement about an idea he developed and is now taking to our top leaders in government was also brought to all’s attention. The idea? Every 27^th of April is World Tapir Day. Brought forward by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature { IUCN), and the Tapir Specialist Group, the objective of World Tapir Day is to see that this bit of recognition assists in heightening awareness about all four extant species of tapirs.

Taking the idea to focus upon our Jewel, Jamal has proposed that on each 27^th of April in Belize, we celebrate National Tapir Day. Our National Animal would be highly focused upon, and this kind of attention would work to see that the tapirs in Belize, always will enjoy protection and respect. National Tapir Day would definitely be a boost in ensuring that our mountain cows live on, for future generations.

While Jamal was sharing his conservation initiatives with students in San Ignacio, “Happy” the owl was having fun doing the same thing at the Bliss Theatre in Belize City. As part of the extended, “Festival for the Arts”, “Happy” joined his pre-school friends from La Democracia, on stage, as they shared with the audience, a song they know and sing so well. The fun tune is called, “Happy the Barn Owl”.

These same children have watched “Happy” grow from a rather untidy-looking chick, into a beautiful young barn owl. The pre-schoolers also know that barn owls eat more mice and rats than any other animal on the planet. This message was strongly sung out to their audience at the Bliss.

“Happy” particularly enjoys the last line in his cheery tune. “Happy’s born in Belize, Protect his Species, PLEASE! ‘Cause he’s a B-A-R-N BARN OWL!!!!”

Bringing important conservation messages into public light, in a fun and entertaining manner, is great fun for The Belize Zoo staff, whether or not they have feathers!

Junior the Jaguar and his "Obsession"

Check it out! The Belize Zoo is on YouTube!! Take a look at Junior the Jaguar in this clip, and please subscribe to BelizeZoo YouTube channel!

"Junior Buddy the Jaguar is obsessed with Obsession! The fancy Calvin Klein cologne has been used as feline enrichment by zoos in the US, turning the largest wildcats in the world into overgrown house kittens; affectionately rubbing and sniffing any area sprayed with the cologne. And Junior is no exception! Some pheromone/chemical in the stuff keeps the boy occupied for an impressive amount of time. Here's a short clip of him interacting with a sprayed log. We just might get him his own bottle for his birthday this month!"

happy the owl

... from Sharon

Happy the Owl is a juvenile barn owl, brought to The Belize Zoo as part of a trio of baby owls. The other two were much larger and far more aggressive in nature. "Happy" will become an important education raptor.

Many people in Belize believe that the barn owl is the "bird of evil" and they are frequently destroyed. It is the objective ofour "Owl Pal" program to let everyone know that barn owls are beneficial to the environment, and in fact, eat more rats than any other animal on the planet. "Happy" has already been to one school, and has charmed students and teachers.

We look forward to more successful "Happy" events, and this will work towards a more positive profile for all barn owls in Belize.