Indy the Tapir is Growing!

Indy has lost all of his "camo markings' from his head and nose. He never refuses his formula and has astonished us all with his increasing weight gains and energetic personality. It's impossible not to be an Indy fan! We plan on introducing him into the main zoo during the first week of September..

Update on Young Scarlet Macaw Chicks

Our Scarlet Macaw chicks, as of 22 August, are now three and a half months old! This is "Charlie" and "Hilario," named after our two zookeepers who raised them from featherless nestlings to the vibrant young macaws they are right now. We provide lots of TLC to these two pretty parrots, and will be sharing them with our zoo visitors for "Close Encounter" activities.

Bye Bye Bat Falcons!

From Sharon . . .

Many times, at The Belize Zoo, if possible, we release animals, fit for a life in our forests, back into the wild. Recently, an Anteater (antsbear) received was safely introduced into a happy Anteater habitat. In the past, TBZ has released Coatis and even a Jabiru stork.

Not that long ago, two Bat Falcons were given to the zoo. Initially, it was thought that a dedicated training period would result in their being a wonderful addition to the zoo’s exciting education program. However, the nature of the Bat Falcon is that they simply must fly!

Yes, they do perch, but their “falcon profile” sees that they soar high and dive quickly after prey. Favourite food items are bats, other birds, and insects. These little birds-of-prey are found in every habitat in Belize. Bat Falcons are often recorded here around the zoo, and considering all factors involved, it was decided to release the falcons into the surrounding wild habitat.

The zoo is located in the middle of a very large tract of forest, and this same forest is becoming known as an important “Jaguar Corridor”. What does this mean for the Bat Falcons? Simply, lots of territory to establish a home, and lots of prey available for them to keep fit and happy!

And how about when it is time to nest? Since the Bat Falcon is a common species in Belize, finding a mate won’t be a difficult task. Nesting sites include tree cavities, crevices in rocks, and even building ledges. Usually two Bat Falcon chicks are hatched, and leave their nestling-nest within a month.

The release of the two young Bat Falcons went very well. Gradually, the young birds were given prey outside of their holding enclosure. It was quick and remarkable! Taking the prey in their talons, off the falcons flew! Zoo staff continued to leave prey for them on their outside feeding platforms as a gradual measure of guaranteed dinner.

However, it appears that they have taken to the wild with ease. One of the falcons returns in the afternoons, and not every afternoon. When we hear the bird call, it is a happy addition to our day here.

Watching a bird-of-prey soar and dive in the wild is always an exciting event, and we are happy to add two more “raptor wonders” into the Belizean wilds!

We are in AWE!!! It's a BABY MACAW!!!

From Sharon . . .

THE BELIZE ZOO BECAME HAPPILY OVERWHELMED IN MID-MAY WHEN THE RESIDENT SCARLET MACAWS HATCHED 3 HEALTHY BABIES!!! The parents were bred in captivity about a decade ago. From the start of their love affair, it was clear that they were clueless about the process of Macaw-Mating.

Scarlet Macaws nest high off the ground, and the loving pair was provided with a four-star nestbox. But a high-rise honeymoon suite was not to their liking. These two raucous red parrots chose, instead, to nest on the ground.

TBZ keepers were frantic at their nest choice. Possums and foxes were possible unwelcome visitors, putting the birds and their eggs, at high risk. This happened during a time of unseasonable wet weather, and a drenched nest would easily result in a “no hatch situation.” But the Big Reds insisted that it would be on-the-ground or no love nest at all for them.

We did our very best to counter-act their risky nesting regime, and our efforts worked! Mid-May was a special spring event, when three Scarlet Macaws hatched! Due to Mom and Dad not knowing how to raise young, the babies were carefully taken and put under the care of TBZ keeper staff. Every two hours they were fed a baby bird formula, and tending to the birds on “Macaw Night Watch” turned TBZ staff into first class Scarlet Macaw infant caregivers. Day by day, the featherless tiny birds gained weight, and have grown to love their zookeeper buddies.

In the wild, the nestlings will remain in the nest for 3 months. After that, Mom and Dad Macaw will urge them to fledge, and then teach them the ways of being a wild Scarlet Macaw. Breeding these rare birds in captivity is not difficult. Seeing them return to the wild is not possible, because they do not know the necessary survival strategies for a safe existence “out there.”

Our baby Scarlet Macaws will eventually be joining Mom and Dad in their home roomy enclosure. located at the entrance of The Belize Zoo. Since they have been lovingly raised by TBZ keeper staff, the young macaws will enjoy the company of all upcoming human admirers. We haven’t named them as yet! But their names will reflect how very special they are to TBZ, and to Belize!!!!

At The Zoo and Still in the Wild! Our Yellow Headed Parrot

From Sharon . . .

One of the most popular birds in Belize is our yellow-headed parrot, Amazona oratrix belizensis. The last part of this parrot's scientific name tells us something important. Our yellow-headed parrot is unique to Belize! With far more yellow on the bird's head, a distinct white eye-ring, and pale bill, the Belize yellow-headed parrot is truly special to our country.

Unlike other species of parrots in Belize, the yellow-headed parrot lives exclusively in the pine savanna habitat.. In the overall profile of our ecosystems, pine savanna makes up less than 15% of our lands. So, right from the start, the home ofr our yellow-headed parrots is limited in range. The actual status of this parrot, as noted in BIRDS OF BELIZE, is "Globally Endangered."

Yellow-headed parrots eat fruits and seeds, and are particularly fond of the craboo found growing in the pine savaana. They "hang out" in flocks, and can usually be heard before they are seen. The call of the yellow-headed parrot is unlike any of the other parrot-calls. Experienced (and not so experienced) bird-watchers can readily recognize this loud squawking.

A major threat to the yellow-headed parrot in Belize, is their being hunted for pets. So many people want a "Polly". Unfortunately, the way the hunting occurs, is that chicks are taken from the nest, and this contributes greatly to the reduction of the species population in the wild.

The yellow-headed parrot, like all members of the parrot family, live long lives. A life span of over 40 years in captivity, is not uncommon. What IS common is that these birds make noise every morning and evening, and that noise level is very loud! So, owning a "Polly" means that not only are there less in the wild (where they belong), but that your long-term "house-guest' is likely to wake you up and bring a close to your day, with its parrot screams and squawks!

It is no accident that all of the yellow-headed parrots at The Belize Zoo are former pets. Their owners grew weary of their noise as well as the responsibility of caring for the birds. So now, their "home sweet home" is The Best Little Zoo in the World! But remember, the happiest yellow-headed parrots, so rare and so special, are the "Pollys" living in the wild here in Belize.