We had a few days left in Belize City before heading home and had always heard good things about the zoo. Not to mention that we love zoos!
The Belize Zoo is a bit different from other zoos in that all the animals are rescues and, due to injury, are unable to be released back into the wild. It was "founded by Sharon Matola in 1983, who was caring for a handful of wild animals that had been part of a natural history documentary. When filming was completed, she was left with these animals and decided to start a zoo. Over forty years later, the "backyard zoo" has become a world-renowned wildlife education center where visitors connect with Belize's unique natural heritage: the animals."
Because all the animals are native to the area, their habitats are much more natural than most zoos. It does make them a bit harder to see which is why we decided to do the VIP tour led by the zoo curator and got a more behind-the-scenes look at the animals and lots of very interesting information about how some of the animals came to be at the zoo.
The zoo is likely most well know for the jaguars who, in recent year, have suffer numerous negative encounters with humans. They're tranquilized and then either released back into the wild or, due to circumstances, live out their lives at the zoo.
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It was pretty much impossible to get an unobstructed view/photo of most of the cats
due to the small wire fencing. |
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Jaguar paw
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| A beautiful puma! |
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This was a sleepy Margay cat. One photo and then he put his head down. :-)
They're nocturnal animals so mostly seen at night, if at all.
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| Andrew was excited about the snakes! |
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| Boa constrictor |
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| I always find humour in the monkeys. These are spider monkeys. |
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| Howler monkey |
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| Crocodile |
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| Javalina |
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| White tailed deer (Funny expression because he was eating.) |
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Tapir having a colourful lunch with a chachalaca guest.
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| Brown pelican |
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| Brown pelican |
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Parrot
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