The great Jaguar. A rehabilitated specimen at the Belize Zoo.
The Belize Zoo is perhaps the happiest place in Belize. Don’t get it wrong, the people who work there and the organization itself, would prefer all the animals that make the zoo their home today, be free in the wild where they truly belong. Unfortunately for many animals, humans have intervened in their lives and have held them in captivity as pets, some in absolutely intolerable spaces in and outside of homes. Others have been confiscated by the Forest Department and brought to the zoo and some have been intentionally taken from the “wild” such as the jaguars as they have become troublesome to farmers and their flocks of sheep and goats and herds of cattle.
The Belize Zoo is not only a great opportunity for education on Belize’s wildlife but its also a veterinary clinic, a feeding station and a place where the people who work there, are in love. Lets face it, to work with animals you have to love them. You have to “feel” them as they do not share our voices. We believe that the people who work at the zoo in Belize have a sixth sense so to speak, in understanding the silent communication (and sometimes roaring ones) of the zoo’s animals.
The Agouti (Bush Rabbit). One of the edible rodents that roam the forest floor.
Not only is there love from the ‘behind the scenes squad’, there is absolutely love from the throngs of visitors who visit the zoo yearly. Amon these visitors are thousand upon thousands of Belizean children. The vibes at the zoo on a day when there are 200 or 300 children walked through is amazing. This is where many, if not most Belizean children get their first and many times only introduction to Belizean wildlife – and they LOVE it!
The National Bird of Belize (former pet), the Keel Billed Toucan
Some of the animals you will be able to see in the zoo are the 5 species of cats, two species of monkeys, two species of deer, two species of wild boars, Coati Mundi, snakes, the national bird, the Keel billed toucan, the national animal, Baird’s Tapir and owls to name a few.
Many guests make the zoo a stop once they would be driving west of the country from the airport. If there is time on the way in or a scheduled stop out when either leaving for home or being transported to boat docks are local flights to their next destination.
Perhaps its a wonderful little stop to make with your personal guide.
Its “friendly wild” in Belize!
Contact us at info@ninebelize.com and tourswithnine@gmail.com