A Glorious Garden for Golden Haven

From Jamal --

SUNY Cortland Team at Golden Haven

The rose coloured pathways at The Belize Zoo have been delighting more and more visitors. As Belize’s only accessible nature destination, folks have been able to glide through the Zoo on foot, wheelchair, walker, or stroller all the same.

This milestone was due in no small part to help from our friends at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland. Staff and students from SUNY’s Inclusive Recreation Resource Center (IRRC) supported the Zoo pathway transformation from day one. When it was completed, they eagerly asked “what’s next?!”

Luckily, Zoo officials knew of a golden opportunity just down the road. The sweet seniors of Golden Haven Rest Home in Hattieville have visited the Zoo to enjoy the “elderly friendly” environment. They received “at-home” visits from Rose the Crocodile and Happy the Owl, as well! Seeing the residents actively engaged inspired ideas on more ways to keep them active.

With support from the Ministry of Human Development, a plan was set for the SUNY Cortland team to apply their skills to create something special for Golden Haven: an accessible garden!

Led by Dr. Vicki Wilkins, the SUNY Cortland team arrived this past August to make the dream garden become a reality. Our week long efforts resulted in 6 raised garden boxes built in the front yard of the Home; the first of their kind in Belize!

Golden Haven Seniors

Golden Haven manager, Allison Williams, glowed with pride as passersby slowed down to admire the colourful additions. A few of the curious seniors even came out to inspect the all the activity. They approved with beaming smiles and tried their hands at some of the garden tools.

The seniors and staff will be growing vegetables for the kitchen, and other eye-catching plants, making their garden a beautiful and functional form of therapeutic recreation.

And, while a garden was being built outside, there was more happening inside the Home, as well! An important “storybook” project was started to record the oral histories of these wise members of Belizean society. The storybook project could be continued by young Belizean students, strengthening communication and respect between the young and old generations.

After a super successful week, the question was asked again: “What’s next?!” The Zoo is proud to have been part of such a productive partnership that fosters education and compassion between all those involved. More golden opportunities are soon to follow!

National Tapir Day and Fuego’s Fabulous First!

From Jamal . . .

National Tapir Day has truly become the greatest event on the Zoo’s calendar. Every April the Zoo crew is in a high energy state preparing to host students, teachers and special friends from different parts of Belize to celebrate our beloved national animal, the ”Mountain Cow.” April 27th is officially Tapir Day worldwide, and, even though festivities were a little late at the Zoo this year, the excitement and fun was greater than ever!

The passing of April the Tapir last November was met with an outpouring of condolences and fond memories shared from thousands of fans all over the country, and the world! After 30 years as Belize’s most famous “animal ambassador,”April will never be forgotten, and her legacy is now carried on by a wonderful young tapir named “Fuego.”

Fuego was brought to the Zoo in May 2013 after being separated from his mom in a forest fire. Little orphaned Fuego grew up quickly, and showed a tapir tenderness that made him a perfect “meet and greet” animal for Zoo visitors. As luck would have it, Fuego was also born in April, like his famous predecessor. It was obvious to all that he should take up the mantle as chief tapir in Tapir Town.

Word was sent out about preparations to celebrate Fuego’s first birthday, and over 250 party guests showed up to help us celebrate such a special day. Schools from BeIize City in the East, to Benque Viejo in the West, way down to Toledo in the south were all in attendance for Fuego’s fiesta. Panerrifix Steel Band from Belmopan added musical melody to the day, and TBZ Director Sharon Matola lead the entire crowd in an enthusiastic sing-along of the “Mountain Cow song.”

Students were kept busy with refreshments and clever tapir games, while, group by group, guests got a chance to meet the birthday boy in person while he munched away on his birthday cake made of all the things young, growing tapirs love to eat!

TBZ thanks all our wonderful guests that made National Tapir Day extra special this year. We look forward to another 30 years of magical mountain cow events like these.