"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!"
2.07.2012
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!"
"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
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.12.20.2011
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who voted for the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic (BWRC) in Heska's "Inspiration in Action" contest. They won the $25,000 first prize!
12.12.2011
Please vote!
I have just learned that the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic (BWRC), an organization that brings students to the Belize Zoo to enhance their vet training, needs our help. They have placed in the top five for a $25,000 USD prize in a contest called "Inspiration in Action." The public votes on the top finalists and the one with the most votes wins. The contest is sponsored by a U.S. organization called Heska, which works with veterinary products. Only U.S. citizens can vote.SUNY Cortland readers, you will remember that the Belize Zoo named a Margay kitten "Cortland" in honor of SUNY Cortland's support for the zoo. Cortland is now a full-grown Margay (about the size of a large house cat). It takes a lot of money to care for Cortland and the other animals at the zoo, and veterinary services are a large part of the cost. The main founder of BWRC, Dr. Isabelle Pacquet-Durand, helps keep Cortland and the other Zoo animals free of parasites.
BWRC is also doing amazing work with the wildlife of Belize and has big dreams to do more. Dr. Paquet-Durand works tirelessly to support wildlife conservation efforts; domestic animal health and welfare; and the veterinary profession in Belize through medical services, education, research, and collaboration.Please take a moment during this busy time of year to vote and help this small Belizean organization. To vote, go to: http://www.heska.com/Inspiration-Wall.aspx
Please feel free to share this blog post with your friends and family. Thank you!
11.07.2011
Sharon Matola Nominated for 2012 Indianapolis Prize
Why I Nominated Sharon Matola for the 2012 Indianapolis Prize
By Marsha W. Johnston
Not many people outside the world of wildlife protection and zoology have ever heard of the Indianapolis Prize, given to the individual judged by their peers to have done the most to “advance the sustainability of an animal species or group of species.”
True, the Prize has only been around since 2004, and is only given every other year by the Indianapolis Zoo with a bequest by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. Still, the unrestricted $100,000 gift represents the largest monetary award for animal conservation in the world. So far, it has honored three wildlife protection giants: Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation (2006), who is credited with contributing significantly to the preservation of the world’s 15 surviving species of cranes, including the whooping crane in North America; Dr. George Schaller, vice president of Panthera and senior conservationist for the Wildlife Conservation Society (2008) and Iain Douglas-Hamilton, president and CEO of Save the Elephants, the premier group working to preserve the African elephant.
Next March, the Indianapolis Prize Committee will announce six finalists, out of a couple of dozen nominees that include Belize Zoo Director Sharon Matola, who I nominated.
I am not a wildlife conservation professional, though I often wish I were; it is one of my great passions in life. I remember being stunned and thrilled to discover that anyone could submit a nomination, and I knew I wanted to participate. More precisely, I was keen to see if the Prize committee would agree that Sharon’s nearly 30-year campaign for the animals of Belize and Central America was as worthy of reward as I and so many others do.
Sharon’s record of heroic work was easy to document, and so Hollywood-enviable dramatic, the application essay practically wrote itself: starting a “zoo” as a naturalized citizen with a handful of animals from a documentary and no money, teaming up with a US-based environmental group to fight Belize’s utility to a standoff in London High Court over the Chalillo Dam.
But I had to include letters of support from people who knew her work best, and I knew that the more prestigious they were, the better. I started with Omar Figueroa, Belizean Senator and jaguar conservationist, whom I had met and interviewed. Only too happy to help, he provided the scientist’s view on the importance of Sharon’s conservation work. I then turned to Bruce Barcott, author of Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, the book about Sharon and the Natural Resources Defense Council’s fight to stop the dam. Bruce wrote that he told her story because “Sharon Matola was—and remains—the most courageous person I’ve ever met. The fact that she wields that courage on behalf of the wildlife of Central America—well, that’s why we’re asking you to consider her nomination”. By the deadline, I had also secured a nomination letter from the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment!
The full list of nominees should be announced by the end of the year, on http://indianapolisprize.org/SitePages/TheHeros/TheNominees.aspx . No doubt the list will include many formidable animal protectors from around the world, as it has for past prizes, but we will all be rooting for Sharon!
Not many people outside the world of wildlife protection and zoology have ever heard of the Indianapolis Prize, given to the individual judged by their peers to have done the most to “advance the sustainability of an animal species or group of species.”
True, the Prize has only been around since 2004, and is only given every other year by the Indianapolis Zoo with a bequest by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation. Still, the unrestricted $100,000 gift represents the largest monetary award for animal conservation in the world. So far, it has honored three wildlife protection giants: Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation (2006), who is credited with contributing significantly to the preservation of the world’s 15 surviving species of cranes, including the whooping crane in North America; Dr. George Schaller, vice president of Panthera and senior conservationist for the Wildlife Conservation Society (2008) and Iain Douglas-Hamilton, president and CEO of Save the Elephants, the premier group working to preserve the African elephant.
Next March, the Indianapolis Prize Committee will announce six finalists, out of a couple of dozen nominees that include Belize Zoo Director Sharon Matola, who I nominated.
I am not a wildlife conservation professional, though I often wish I were; it is one of my great passions in life. I remember being stunned and thrilled to discover that anyone could submit a nomination, and I knew I wanted to participate. More precisely, I was keen to see if the Prize committee would agree that Sharon’s nearly 30-year campaign for the animals of Belize and Central America was as worthy of reward as I and so many others do.
Sharon’s record of heroic work was easy to document, and so Hollywood-enviable dramatic, the application essay practically wrote itself: starting a “zoo” as a naturalized citizen with a handful of animals from a documentary and no money, teaming up with a US-based environmental group to fight Belize’s utility to a standoff in London High Court over the Chalillo Dam.
But I had to include letters of support from people who knew her work best, and I knew that the more prestigious they were, the better. I started with Omar Figueroa, Belizean Senator and jaguar conservationist, whom I had met and interviewed. Only too happy to help, he provided the scientist’s view on the importance of Sharon’s conservation work. I then turned to Bruce Barcott, author of Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw, the book about Sharon and the Natural Resources Defense Council’s fight to stop the dam. Bruce wrote that he told her story because “Sharon Matola was—and remains—the most courageous person I’ve ever met. The fact that she wields that courage on behalf of the wildlife of Central America—well, that’s why we’re asking you to consider her nomination”. By the deadline, I had also secured a nomination letter from the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment!
The full list of nominees should be announced by the end of the year, on http://indianapolisprize.org/SitePages/TheHeros/TheNominees.aspx . No doubt the list will include many formidable animal protectors from around the world, as it has for past prizes, but we will all be rooting for Sharon!
[Note: Marsha W. Johnston is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in RenewableEnergyWorld, EnviroWonk, E/The Environment Magazine, Kennedy Information/MCI]
9.30.2011
Pat the (Great) Cat!
Check out beautiful new book, Pat the (Great) Cat: A Jaguar's Journey, about one of TBZ's most famous alumni!! The book's web site, linked on the title, takes you on a wonderful journey. Please visit the link above for a book preview and synopsis, photo gallery, links, information on The Literacy Project, and information for teachers and parents!
"The amazing new book, Pat the (Great) Cat, A Jaguar’s Journey is the result of a literacy project that brought together children from the United States and from Belize, Central America, to tell the true story of a jaguar who found his world forever changed as people came to share his land."
To order a copy of this wonderful book, please visit the following link, HERE!
Congratulations to devoted friend of The Belize Zoo Nancy Kennedy for spearheading this special project!
9.20.2011
Sharon Matola Honored As Belizean Patriot!
We couldn't say it better than The Belize Zoo Facebook page!
A HUGE congratulations to our Founding Director and fearless leader, Sharon Matola, on being honoured as a Belizean Patriot for outstanding contributions to education and wildlife conservation!! Her 30 years of dedication to the country, people, and wildlife of Belize earned her a Meritorious Service Award, presented by Belize's Prime Minister.
The big event took place on September 15, 2011. Congratulations on this prestigious honor, Sharon!
8.15.2011
BARN OWL AMBASSADORS ROCK LOVE FM!
From Sharon, in Belize:
The Love FM Morning Show, very popular in our country, hosted two special visitors recently. Little Guy and Jolley, young barn owls who call The Belize Zoo their home, were guests on this live broadcast. Zoo officials were just a lee bit nervous about a “reality tv appearance”. True, LG and Jolley have done their fair share of travels. Meeting and greeting kids in schools in Placencia and Maya Centre seemed to please both curious birds. But a tv studio? With bright lights and cool temperatures, strange noises and big cameras! How would the two barn owls react?
Education Officer Jamal Andrewin began the program by noting that Little Guy and Jolley were wild animals, and therefore, their tv appearance behaviour would be unpredictable. With that introduction “under wing”, in came Little Guy and Jolley, safely stowed away in their official BARN OWLS ROCK “Bye Bye Box” The Love FM hosts, Ms Ava Diaz-Sosa and Ms. Carmen Barrow, were all smiles as the owls hopped from their travel box, and then quickly flew upon an awaiting perch.
Let the show begin! It was impossible to hold onto the old time myth that Belize Barn Owls are the “Bird of Evil” and the “Bird of Death”, when Little Guy quickly accepted a kiss on the head from his “alpha owl buddy”, Sharon Matola. Then, he peacefully sat alongside female barn owl Jolley, as questions filled the air. Jamal was most eager to answer, WHAT DO THEY EAT? The Barn Owl, has a range everywhere in the world except for arctic and desert regions, and EVERYWHERE in the world, they hunt and eat RATS with zest. RATS!! Jamal pointed out that there is no other animal on the entire planet that eats more rats than a barn owl.
In Belize, barn owls live in secluded areas within urban zones, and this makes sense, as this type of Owl territory always includes plenty rodents to feast upon. In Belmopan City, there is a colony of barn owls who call the high palm trees behind the main market square, their home sweet home. How sensible of them! Nearby is the market and within the market, certainly live and breed our not-so-welcome furry citizen, the Charlie Price.
In some parts of the barn owl’s range, the situation is far different. Due to loss of habitat, and reduction of nesting sites, barn owls are on a strong decrease in many areas throughout the world. The Owl Pal program, starring Little Guy and Jolley, is working to ensure that barn owls are seen as beloved members of our society. Forget this “Bird of Evil” myth! BARN OWLS ROCK!!
Many barn owl facts were shared that morning on Love FM, and Little Guy and Jolley seemed quite at ease, well, nearly! Little Guy showed all that one of his favourite places to perch was on top of Sharon Matola’s zoo cap. And Jolley, just as the show ended, showed off her flying abilities and did a quick flight in front of Ms Ava and Ms Carmen. Thanks to the Love FM Morning Show, hundreds of people throughout Belize learned that Barn Owls are good birds to have living in Belize, and deserve to be protected for our future generations. Little Guy and Jolley are supreme Ambassadors for their species, and they welcome “up close and personal visits” at their home in the Best Little Zoo in the World.
7.04.2011
PHILADELPHIA’S FATHER’S DAY! MEGA-AWESOME THANKS TO THE BELIZE ZOO!!
From Sharon . . .A first time proud Dad is Frankie, originally from Frank’s Eddy village on the Western highway, and now a happy resident at The Philadelphia Zoo. Frankie, with his Philadelphia Zoo exotic new name, “Jutai” has an inspiring story. Left as a cub in the forests bordering the community of Frank’s Eddy, it was believed that his mother was shot for preying upon cattle in the area. Less than one year old, Frankie was brought to the zoo in a sack. Immediately after "sack-release," he began receiving Belize Zoo tender loving care.
As Frankie grew, an important conservation program was also beginning to grow. And this one-of-its-kind program would a play a heavy role in the little jaguar’s future. Director Sharon Matola presented to the Forest Department, a conservation plan called the Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation Program. Rather than shoot cats who had become unwanted livestock predators, the zoo would safely capture the villain cat, and then, with time, patience and daily training, give them a new life. Their new jaguar profile? Jaguars who likely would have been killed for their predator crimes, would, instead, as “graduates” of the program, become important animals for research, public education and also, for captive breeding. Frankie, son of a cattle-killer, was considered a new-arrival to the Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation Program.
In USA zoos, there has been a strong need for new jaguar genes in order to keep the captive jaguar population at a healthy level. The Philadelphia Zoo, having a beautiful five star jaguar exhibit, was in enthusiastic search of a male jaguar who could meet the challenge of becoming one of these gene-giving “Super Dads.” At The Belize Zoo, we knew that young and sturdy Frankie could fill such an important role. If he would successfully mate with a female jaguar, a very important conservation objective would be met.
Frankie was introduced to beautiful “Kanga”, and their fondness for one another was noticed by many. And the very good news is, Frankie (Jutai) and Kanga have together made history. Just as May was beginning, Frankie and Kanga became parents! Thanks to conservation strategic planning formed at our Belize Zoo, the vitally important captive jaguar population in the North American zoo community, now stands stronger. Very, very PAWS UP!!
6.13.2011
Owl Pal Program Rocks!
From Sharon . . .
Never before in Belize has there been an aggressive education program about our very special feathered residents: OWLS! These remarkable birds-of-prey are so beneficial to Belizean ecology. They dedicate their lives to keeping rodent populations in check. Charlie Price! Watch out! You have an army of hungry “friends” out there!
Never before in Belize has there been an aggressive education program about our very special feathered residents: OWLS! These remarkable birds-of-prey are so beneficial to Belizean ecology. They dedicate their lives to keeping rodent populations in check. Charlie Price! Watch out! You have an army of hungry “friends” out there!
If you live in the Belmopan area, go and see for yourself. Every evening, within the tall royal palm trees nearby Government Square, the resident flock of barn owls become active and begin calling. These are happy owls! Within an easy flight distance is the main market area, home to quite a few pesky rats. The market area rats are a delicious and very welcome dinner for the Belmopan barn owl squad.
Interestingly, owls have, throughout history, been labeled with a bad and dangerous reputation. In Belize, and in other countries, owls are often viewed as sinister birds. There is mystery shrouding them. Owls are birds of the night, calling strangely, and scaring people with their wide –eyed stares and turning-heads.
Thanks to Belize Zoo Barn Owl Ambassadors, Little Guy and Jolley, this false thinking is beginning to change. Owls are cool! Little Guy and Jolley have kick started our Owl Pal Program with education awareness zest.
And now, we w
elcome Mona Lisa. She is a beautiful juvenile mottled owl. Mona Lisa came to us after being rescued during the recent fires. Being hand-fed and cared for daily, she quickly bonded to her keepers. The zoo crew all agreed that Mona Lisa would be a shining star in our Owl Pal Program. Barn owls belong to their own family of owls. There are the Barn Owls, and then there are the Typical Owls. Mona Lisa belongs to the “typical owl” family, and having both represented in the Owl Pal program is a huge plus for our education awareness efforts.It is a unique opportunity to get within inches of these beautiful birds. Children and adults learn vital lessons. Vital. Simple. And true: Belize still has special and important wildlife. Protecting these natural resources so that they thrive into the future is our responsibility for the generations to come.
5.14.2011
Telemedia Star for The Reporter
News from Sharon!
Junior Buddy is a Telemedia STAR!
All of us at The Belize Zoo are so happy about the Telemedia 2011 Telephone Directory. The cover is graced by our very own Jaguar Ambassador, Junior Buddy. This eye-catching photo was taken by Telemedia’s senior graphic representative, Mr. Stephen Yarwood. So exciting! With appropriate ceremony and applause, the new Telemedia Telephone Directory was officially unveiled at the zoo on Friday, the 1st of April.
Under the watchful eyes of the king vultures, BTL officials unveiled the portrait-sized framed cover. The photo of Junior Buddy immediately brought sounds of complimentary appraisal from all.
As noted by speakers Anjalee Vasquez and Sharon Matola, the 2011 Telephone Directory is not only a “must-have” resource for address and telephone contacts, it also accomplishes something that no other telephone directory in the world can claim. Our telephone directory draws important attention to the greatest wild cat in the Americas, the jaguar.
A concise narrative inside the directory points to the fact that Junior Buddy’s wild counterparts are in need of our protection. Also mentioned are the wildlands known as the "Jaguar Corridor." This forest, located to the north and to the south of the zoo, plays a vital role in seeing that our jaguars have a place to roam for many years to come.
Fine entertainment came from the La Democracia pre-school “gibnuts.” They gleefully sang the “Junior Buddy Song” and were beaming with joy when BTL folks handed them each a Junior Buddy puzzle, as a memento of the special event.
After the unveiling, Mr. Stephen and BTL official Mr Mariano, enjoyed an “up close and personal” meet and greet with Jaguar Ambassador Junior Buddy. Junior Buddy must have sensed the importance of his happy visitors. He enthusiastically kissed them both! Each official from BTL then went to meet Problem Jaguar Rehab graduate, “FieldMaster,” who gave each a big jaguar “high five”. The Belize Zoo is very honoured by Belize Telemedia’s choosing Junior Buddy as their 2011 telephone Director cover. Good For Belize, and very good for jaguars, too!
Junior Buddy is a Telemedia STAR!
All of us at The Belize Zoo are so happy about the Telemedia 2011 Telephone Directory. The cover is graced by our very own Jaguar Ambassador, Junior Buddy. This eye-catching photo was taken by Telemedia’s senior graphic representative, Mr. Stephen Yarwood. So exciting! With appropriate ceremony and applause, the new Telemedia Telephone Directory was officially unveiled at the zoo on Friday, the 1st of April.
Under the watchful eyes of the king vultures, BTL officials unveiled the portrait-sized framed cover. The photo of Junior Buddy immediately brought sounds of complimentary appraisal from all.
As noted by speakers Anjalee Vasquez and Sharon Matola, the 2011 Telephone Directory is not only a “must-have” resource for address and telephone contacts, it also accomplishes something that no other telephone directory in the world can claim. Our telephone directory draws important attention to the greatest wild cat in the Americas, the jaguar.
A concise narrative inside the directory points to the fact that Junior Buddy’s wild counterparts are in need of our protection. Also mentioned are the wildlands known as the "Jaguar Corridor." This forest, located to the north and to the south of the zoo, plays a vital role in seeing that our jaguars have a place to roam for many years to come.
Fine entertainment came from the La Democracia pre-school “gibnuts.” They gleefully sang the “Junior Buddy Song” and were beaming with joy when BTL folks handed them each a Junior Buddy puzzle, as a memento of the special event.
After the unveiling, Mr. Stephen and BTL official Mr Mariano, enjoyed an “up close and personal” meet and greet with Jaguar Ambassador Junior Buddy. Junior Buddy must have sensed the importance of his happy visitors. He enthusiastically kissed them both! Each official from BTL then went to meet Problem Jaguar Rehab graduate, “FieldMaster,” who gave each a big jaguar “high five”. The Belize Zoo is very honoured by Belize Telemedia’s choosing Junior Buddy as their 2011 telephone Director cover. Good For Belize, and very good for jaguars, too!
3.30.2011
Mellow Marchismo
From Sharon . . .
Thought you might enjoy this photo taken of Sharon and Marchismo, new little fellow at TBZ. The photo was taken on March 23rd, almost two weeks after Marchismo the tapir came on the scene on March 15, 2011.
Thought you might enjoy this photo taken of Sharon and Marchismo, new little fellow at TBZ. The photo was taken on March 23rd, almost two weeks after Marchismo the tapir came on the scene on March 15, 2011.
3.22.2011
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