enrichment training = fun for JR Buddy!

The following is an excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter for The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

Junior Buddy, born at the zoo, the son of a problem jaguar sheep killer, was rejected by his mom just two days after he was born. What happens when this happens? Zoo staff takes on the responsibility of being a Jaguar mother, providing constant tender loving care.

Unfortunately, a captive raised jaguar is not suited for return to the forests of Belize. “Tame” cats simply lack the skills necessary to compete with their wild counterparts. Being used to receiving care from humans, a captive-raised jaguar would fail to survive in our jungles.

Of the four species of great cats, the Lion, Tiger, Leopard and Jaguar, our mighty Jaguar has the largest brain in relation to its body size. Simply stated, this is one very smart animal! Our important task at The Belize Zoo is seeing that Junior Buddy is kept challenged, so that his inquisitive instincts remain positive and balanced. In the zoological world, this type of animal management is given the title, “Enrichment Training”.

Besides teaching Junior Buddy basic tricks (he loves to somersault!), Zoo staff sees that this playful young jaguar enjoys activities which bring added fun to his life at the Zoo. Monday afternoon is Jr. Buddy’s “ideal day”. Late in the afternoon, the happy cat receives his very own “ideal”: chicken parts frozen solid in ice! And does he ever have fun licking the ice to get to those chicken gizzards. On Wednesday, thanks to Running W Meats in Cayo, Junior receives a very large bone. Thrown into his pond, the bone becomes a major “attack item” for Junior Buddy. He wastes no time at all, diving into the water so that he can retrieve, and then devour, his Running W bone-delight!

And Friday afternoons bring him a big, big challenge. Junior gets his “jaguar piñata”. A rock-solid plastic ball is tied to a tree, chicken feet protruding from it, and he gets to jump and bat the ball in an ardent effort to get to those feet. He has fun, and it is a joy for visitors to share in his frolicking activity.

Sunday afternoon is his Belikin beer happy hour! Junior Buddy has a “keg party”. Thanks to the Belize Brewing Company, he romps and plays with his very own and much beloved, Belikin beer keg. This hard green plastic barrel provides the perfect romper-stomper toy for Junior Buddy, keeping him enchanted and happily occupied.

Keeping up with Junior Buddy’s quest for fun things to do has fostered a high level of creative and innovative animal management here at the “Best Little Zoo in the World”. Thank you, Running W and the Belize Brewing Company for assisting with Junior Buddy’s joy!!

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

The Jaguar: Help Me or Hurt Me?

The following is an excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter of The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

Jaguars of Belize are faced with a variety of human influenced challenges, including deforestation, prey population decline, and persecution by farmers. Even with all these troubles, they have to contend with one more: The selling of souvenirs made from Jaguar body parts, namely teeth and claws.

A stunning poster was thus created, aimed at completely eradicating this ugly and ILLEGAL trade countrywide. Designed by Jaguar-Enthusiast and Belize Zoo Environmental Educator, Jamal Andrew in, the message is clear: Buying these artifacts only works to harm our very rare jaguar population. The target audience is visitors to our country. Oftentimes, tourists are approached to buy souvenirs which have been obtained by the killing of Jaguars. Tourists are usually not aware of what they are buying into as they purchase a Jaguar canine tooth necklace. They do not know that the cats are hunted for this illegal activity. They do not see, in their minds, a powerful, healthy Jaguar shot and killed, its teeth and claws pulled out, and then cleaned up a bit for their exotic souvenir-appetites.

Sadly, some people living in Belize are also guilty of contributing to the illegal trade of buying “Jaguar jewelry”. We are even aware of a Belizean resident who, not only sports a necklace from an unlawful Jaguar-kill, but bought the same for his 10 year old daughter! How unfortunate that a child is introduced to the persecution of our Jaguars, rather than to a strong feeling that our country’s Jaguars should be admired and protected.

With less than 800 jaguars remaining in Belize, we need to unify our concerns, our efforts, and our actions aimed at helping them, not hurting them. We must join together to ensure that our grandchildren live in a time Jaguars still roam the forests of Belize, as opposed to hearing tales of how “they once lived here.”

Similar illegal activities are going on throughout the remaining range of the Jaguar. Belize has always been viewed as being a progressive and forward thinking nation when it comes to the protection of our natural resources.

Stepping up with this aggressive poster campaign will work to help secure a future in the wild for the Jaguar citizens of our country. The Belize Forest Department, Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Programme for Belize, Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) and the international cat conservation organization,Panthera, have proudly placed their logos on this important message.

Though Hurricane Richard “rescheduled” the Zoo’s conservation action agenda, it by no means halted it. The poster, originally set to be launched on November 3rd 2010, was launched on December 1st when the Zoo reopened. The HELP ME OR HURT ME poster will have a place alongside the two newly-introduced superb books about “Jaguar Ambassador” Junior Buddy. Yes! It promises to be a very important year for Jaguars at The Best Little Zoo in the World!

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

albino coatis

The following is an excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter for The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

TBZ Creature Feature: Albino coatis

If you thought brown and black Quash were cool creatures, wait till you see their snowy white siblings! Looking like a couple of refugees from the North Pole, “Clorox,” and “Blizzard” are two super rare Albino Coatimundis that are happy to call the Belize Zoo their home. And the Zoo is just as thrilled to have them!

Albinism is a rare occurrence in nature, caused by the malfunction or absence of an enzyme that helps produce the skin pigment called melanin. As rare as they are, Albinos can show up in almost any species of vertebrates, even Coatis! And,though they may need a little more shade than their colorful cousins, Clorox and Blizzard are just as active and “quash-like” as their relatives. During the day, they enjoy climbing all over every inch of their enclosures, and dining on everything from bananas to bugs.

TBZ is the only zoo in the world to have such special albino coatimundis as part of their "family." Our albinos will soon become ambassadors for their species, in a very unique animal encounter at the Belize Zoo, to be called the “Albino Creature Feature.” Visitors will be able to meet these wonderful oddities of nature, and learn more about their species, and their condition, from an interactive perspective.

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

soaring success for harpies

The following is an excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter of The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

While it was tough for The Belize Zoo’s famous Harpy Eagle, “Panama” to accept the fact that his 8th birthday celebration had to be postponed due to a windy visitor called Hurricane Richard, many exciting events are currently flying high for the Harpies of Belize. And this is good news for these regal eagles! The more the word is out and about, the more information flying forward about the Harpy, the better their chances are for a guaranteed future in the wild.

What’s the current scoop on the Harpy Eagle? To begin, our superb Belize Philatelic Society re-issued the ENDANGERED BIRDS OF BELIZE stamp issue, which features the Harpy Eagle on the 60 cent stamp. Lots of Harpies fly beyond the borders of Belize, thanks to this beautiful eagle-stamp.

A professor from the University of North Carolina, Dr. James Rotenberg frequently brings his University students to study natural history in the Bladen Nature Reserve, basing his work at Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE) Dr. Rotenberg is an ornithologist. His past years have been spent gathering data about the Harpy Eagle, both from the Bladen NR, and also from the Belize Harpy Eagle Restoration Program, BHERP. This Data has been transformed into a beautifully written scientific address, and submitted to the Journal of Raptor Biology.

Many people in the academic world will now learn about the unique situation in Belize involving our Harpy Eagle residents. Noted local ornithologist, Roni Martinez, has in the Mountain Pine Ridge area. Roni’s important sighting underscores the fact that the Harpy Eagle is utilizing the various forest habitats of Belize, and our country’s largest raptor continues to draw attention and keen interest.

Back at The Belize Zoo, a puppet show has been developed. The show stars “Hope” the Harpy Eagle, and his Jaguar companion, “Lucky”. They both teach kids about the important role top predators play in maintaining a healthy biological diversity within the forests of our country. The show will be taken to schools and communities in the upcoming 2011 school year.

These combined efforts will work to ensure that the Harpy Eagle will be a beloved citizen in Belize for years to come. We soar!!

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

a night for harpy eagles

The following is an excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter of The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

Since Jungle Training is very much a part of the British Army Base(BATSUB) profile at the Price Barracks in Ladyville, it only seemed fitting that “JUNGLE NIGHT” would occur with a jungle bird in mind. The Harpy Eagle enclosures at The Belize Zoo stood and shook during Hurricane Richard, and, fortunately for the harpies, remained standing! But it was clear to all that improvements to these important harpy homes
had to happen.

The caring people at BATSUB designed a JUNGLE NIGHT aimed at bringing in much needed funds, so that necessary repairs at the Zoo could happen as quickly as possible. What a night! It was hard to recognize familiar faces. People became animal characters and were fitting in well amidst the converted lounge-to-jungle- scene. Palm leaves disguised cement, sawdust gave the floor a bit of a tropical forest feel, and Scarlet Macaws, monkeys, tiger cats, a giant lizard, and even a sea turtle, cavorted around the re-invented jungle lounge.

Funds were raised by an auction of delights. There were overnight stays at fine Belize lodges, books written by Zoo Director Sharon Matola, and our beloved local brew, Belikin beer, was a highly sought-after prize. The audience was enthusiastically urged on by BFBS station manager, Neil Skinner. Neil showed everyone that he is not just a four star broadcaster, but a topnotch auctioneer, as well!

Good news! Fixing up the two enclosures currently housing “Da Queen,” the female Harpy Eagle, and our famous “Panama,” her Harpy Eagle companion, is not the only project to benefit from the success of JUNGLE NIGHT. Zoo officials are using the opportunity to link “Harpy-ville” into a new lookout platform, too. Thanks to JUNGLE NIGHT, visitors will soon be viewing our fabulous Harpy Eagles and then, walking high above the zoo pathway, to have a fun look at Harpy Eagle prey, too! The Kinkajou, or “nightwalker,” is a much sought-after food item for a Harpy Eagle living in our Belizean forests.

The Zoo’s innovative approach to wildlife education will burst forward with this impressive new addition. JUNGLE NIGHT, and the efforts expressed by the kind people of BATSUB, not just shows how much the spirit of The Belize Zoo touches the spirit of our caring public, but especially, during this time of the year, expresses the fine human spirit of providing joy and giving unselfishly. This is the very true spirit of the Holiday Season, and will radiate a happy start into the coming New Year. JUNGLE NIGHT we applaud you!

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

our fine friend

The following is another excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter for The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:


A few years ago, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) graciously adopted “Jaguar Ambassador” Junior Buddy, providing funds for exhibit upgrades and also for his upkeep. This help was much appreciated. The Belize Zoo, with our important Jaguar Rehabilitation and Research program, maintains, at this time, 12 of these magnificent cats. The program is a costly one. Enclosures, large enough to allow them to express their natural behaviour traits, must be built and maintained. Sturdy hurricane-proof management shelters are always incorporated into their homes, and then there is meal time to consider!

Junior Buddy’s mom arrived to The Belize Zoo, becoming part of our rehabilitation program, in 2006. We had no idea that she was also pregnant! And 3 months after her arrival, she gave birth to Junior Buddy. Look what followed! The little cub grew into a jaguar who never fails to create a bond of compassion and understanding between his species and our zoo visitors.

Two books have been written about Junior Buddy. One, JUNIOR BUDDY: A JAGUAR’S TALE is on the international book market, and draws considerable attention to the remarkable jaguar and their endangered status in the wild. It also brings attention to the wonderful nation of Belize, and the efforts being made here to preserve the species for future generations. Junior Buddy truly is an “Ambassador”.

After Hurricane Richard visited the Zoo, late in the night of 24 October, Junior Buddy’s life suddenly changed. His enclosure was damaged from fallen trees and high winds. Much to his dismay, he could no longer go out and play in his roomy backyard. For days, Junior Buddy sadly stayed put in his management den. But then, fortunately, Junior B’s supporting organization, the BTB, stepped back into his hurricane-hurled world and softened the blow. Providing much-needed funds, the BTB made it possible for us to put a rapid work force together and get his home back into shape.

Thank you, BTB, from all of us at the zoo, but especially from Jaguar Ambassador
Junior Buddy, for such kind and caring help.

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

let me introduce you

Another excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter of The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

Animals are very much like people. Some get along together just fine. Others don’t care to share the same space and territory. And there isn’t any family court to step in and offer a judgment to ease a rocky relationship in the animal world.

Animal introductions need to be done with care and steady awareness of behavioural reactions. At The Belize Zoo, introducing our Tapirs to one another has been high priority. Do mountain cows instantly get along when put together? In the wild, they exist as solitary animals. If a pair is seen, it is most certainly a mother with young. Sure, their relatives are horses, but they do not share a horse- like “herd behaviour”.

The same manner of thinking goes with the mighty Jaguar. Unlike the Lion, which lives happily in a family group known as a “pride’, in the wild, Jaguars exist as solitary animals. These great spotted cats come together only to mate. A sighting of more than one Jaguar is always a mother with her cubs. Dad Jaguar? He is far away and not involved in any family situation.

A visit to the post Hurricane Richard Belize Zoo will bring the delightful view of our recent successful introductions of both our mountain cow squad and the two once-kept-apart-but-now-very-much-together,Jaguars, CT and Springfield.

How was this accomplished? Carefully, over time, the Tapirs were given separate space alongside one another. There, smells could be shared, the mountain cows could see one another, and they would often vocalize – wouldn’t it be fun to know what they were saying in “mountain cow-speak”?!

Though they seemed to tolerate being close to each other for a long time, TBZ staff were still wary of introducing young “Indy” to the older Tapirs. Luckily, Hurricane Richard decided to play “zookeeper” for a day, and did the introduction for us! Sending a huge Guanacaste Tree crashing down on the dividing fence was Richard’s idea of a careful introduction. And what a success it was!

Jaguars CT and Springfield, meanwhile, were side-by-side for over six months, a strong fence keeping them from each other’s claws and teeth. Daily monitoring of their behaviour showed us that they had pleasant moments when close to each other – no aggressive moods came into sight. Next step? Take down the fence and let the animal good times roll!

Bringing the people of Belize close to their beautiful wildlife is a high priority for our staff at The Belize Zoo. Keeping The Belize Zoo animal crew happy and content adds to their joyful days and brings about many smiles to our many visitors.

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

we like our new home

The following is another excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter for The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

Before Hurricane Richard visited The Belize Zoo on the 24th of October, our beautiful King Vultures stood proudly in their tree-ful exhibit, amazing all visitors with their majestic manner.

A crushed and thoroughly demolished exhibit caused their necessary removal to the off-site area of the Zoo, and these re-located and confused King Vultures would greet our staff everyday, cackling loudly. We could only believe that this was their way of saying, “Hey! What’s going on?”

A lot was going on! With the fine help of USA Special Forces, their damaged home was torn down. A team of workers, under zoo direction, began to re-construct “Vulture-ville”. And a five-star habitat steadily rose from the rubble.

Tony Garel, with his talented vision, saw that an ancient breeding tube was transformed into a waterfall. And how appropriate. Belize is the one country in Central America where the beautiful King Vulture can still be seen in the wild. Where? King Vulture Falls in the Mountain Pine Ridge is a site where these big and colorful birds live and breed.

Being the third largest vulture in the world, their presence always causes a slight gasp from any observer. What needs to be remembered is that they are not only big and beautiful, but they are also rare. Having the King Vulture greet the Zoo public is a significant testimony to the special wildlife which still calls Belize, “home”.

When The Belize Zoo re-opened on Wednesday, the 1st day of December, the King Vultures STILL had not been introduced into their new home.

Last minute fine-tuning was necessary; a perch here, a plant over there. The furniture still had not been adequately re-arranged to the satisfaction of Zoo officials.

What happened next? After the opening ceremony ended, all attendees followed Zoo Director Sharon Matola, stating that they were going to experience a historic moment in Zoo history. Rex, Sally and son, Perfecto, were about to enter their new post-Hurricane Richard territory. Would they like it? Would they accept the change readily?

With all eyes upon them, the King Vultures flight cages were carefully placed into the new exhibit. The doors opened...and one by one, they cautiously stepped out. Each looked around,looked up and then, as if by cue, flew onto the perches facing public view. Did they look pleased? As cameras snapped and people applauded, Rex, Sally and Perfecto looked around and truly seemed to be putting a “vulture stamp of approval” upon their new home.

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

landmark day for the belize zoo

Photo: Rex the King Vulture, enjoying the waterfall from his beautiful new enclosure!

The following is an excerpt from the January 2011 Newsletter for The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:

A Landmark Day for The Belize Zoo!

Many said that “it just can’t happen!” With the amount of damage brought on by Hurricane Richard on the 24th of October, how could The Belize Zoo remain closed for one month only and reopen on the very first day of December? Well, the destruction left Hurricane Richard’s wake was no match for the amount of dedication and determined spirit alive at the Zoo. Not only did The Belize Zoo re-open on December 1st, but the celebration was one of the most exuberant events in Zoo history!

A special presentation was made to Mrs. Myrtle Flowers, who had served as Director of Education for a decade. She recalled her days at the Zoo with pride. Mrs. Flowers noted, as well, the many Belizeans, now working in professions within the natural resources arena in Belize, got their initial “kick start’ through a Belize Zoo training program.

Senator Omar Figueroa, who is also a PhD candidate studying the ecology of the Jaguar, gave a profound speech noting that The Belize Zoo is vital for wildlife education and awareness in Belize, and emphasized how much the Zoo was missed by so many during its month of closure. Or, as Joni Mitchell so appropriately sang in the classic song “Big Yellow Taxi” ~ ”You don’t know what ya got til its gone”….

A book launching was also part of the Zoo’s re-opening. Two books are “hot off the press” about "Jaguar Ambassador," Junior Buddy. One, a primary reader, JUNIOR BUDDY: A JAGUAR’S TALE, was written by the world’s largest children’s book publishing company, Scholastic. Junior Buddy’s heartwarming story is now in bookstores throughout the United States, Canada and the UK, bringing a huge amount of attention to Belize, and the conservation efforts being made in our country to protect these great cats for future generations. A book was given to each child at the Zoo’s historic re-opening, by Mrs. Kim Simpliss Barrow. Big smiles were everywhere!

Music and drumming filled the air by the talented Ugandani Dance Group, bringing “dance fever’ to the crowd! Then, just before Zoo Director Sharon Matola gave a short “Let’s go and see our up and coming post Hurricane Richard Belize Zoo,” the Belize Defence Force flew over the happy attendees in a perfect aerial salute.

Everyone was anxious to enter the Zoo. And even though some of the Zoo is still receiving “first aid”, the repaired areas brought these comments…."I just can’t believe it!"…."it’s so splendid!" "It’s better than before!" Zoo officials glowed with pride, joy filled the air, and everyone agreed that The Best Little Zoo in the World is making a strong, innovative, and happy comeback.

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.

december 2010 letter from zoo director sharon matola

From the January 2011 Newsletter for The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center:


The year 2010 saw The Belize Zoo riding a wave of “moving forward” with creative programs forming, and the strengthening of our entire institution. Two books appeared in September. Both were about “Jaguar Ambassador,” Junior Buddy, and we were excited to present these at an official book launching in early November. The introduction of our new and extremely important poster on behalf of Jaguar conservation, HELP ME OR HURT ME, was also scheduled to be introduced that day. This poster draws attention to the illegal sale of jaguar body parts, i.e. teeth for jewelry, and is the first of its kind anywhere. It promises to draw hard attention to a chronic and sad situation: Exploitation of this endangered wild cat for an artifact trade that needs to be totally phased out.

The local schoolchildren were excited about coming to see Junior on that scheduled day, the press was ready and waiting, energies were high….then WHAM! Life changed overnight for us on the 24th of October. Hurricane Richard paid a visit, and this windy fellow created a scene of devastation at the Zoo. Giant trees were felled and sent crashing through exhibits. This alone would have been enough of a challenge to counter. But Hurricane Richard also ripped apart aviaries, collapsed enclosures, and covered the entire pathway route with trees and fallen vegetation.

So what to do? It was decided that no mere hurricane would hold back TBZ. Strategies formed and the goal to re-open the Zoo on the 1st of December was set. With the good help of so many, efforts were consolidated and the Zoo DID meet the challenge.

We re-opened to the public on December 1st, combined with our book launching and the introduction of our HELP ME OR HURT ME poster.

And what initially appeared to be a total disaster, is now appearing to be one of those “blessings in disguise.” Funds raised from our Hurricane Richard Relief Campaign has made possible new and exciting changes. The Zoo is looking better than ever. Creative design is at our forefront, and our “new look” is one that is drawing many compliments from Zoo visitors. While the press referred to our quick comeback as a “miracle”, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone, both here in Belize and abroad, who saw the severe urgency of our challenge, and provided support.

The consolidated effort came from those of us who realize how important this little zoo is. The Belize Zoo has had an immense impact on the nation, geared towards the raising of environmental awareness. Keeping this momentum “alive and kicking” is a big priority. Our supporters agree, and, working together, we achieved what most said was impossible. Are we truly all healed and where we want to be? Not at all. A lot of work is necessary to polish off the footprint of Hurricane Richard. But we are getting there, and getting there with soaring gusto. As we begin a New Year, we are starting with creative energy and spirit, and ensuring to all that we are, indeed, the “Best Little Zoo in the World” A very happy and healthy 2011 to all!

Remember to visit The Belize Zoo website at: www.belizezoo.org.