Belize Zoo Animals: Hand-Picked For A Reason

The Belize Zoo is home to over 150 native wildlife species, all of which have been rescued, rehabilitated, orphaned, or confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was left with a group of wild animals after filming a documentary and decided to start a zoo. The animals in the zoo include Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, as well as five wildcat species found in Belize: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarundis. Other mammals include white-tailed deer, red brocket deer, and collared peccaries. The zoo also features several species of parrots, owls, and raptors, as well as a variety of reptiles and amphibians.

The zoo's founding

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC) was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, a filmmaker and animal caretaker. After completing a documentary titled "Selva Verde" (Spanish for Green Forest), Matola was left with several wild animals that had been used in the film. Rather than releasing them or putting them down, she decided to start a zoo.

The zoo began as a makeshift operation, using the animals' enclosures as exhibits to generate funding for their care. It quickly became apparent that locals were largely unfamiliar with Belize's native wildlife, and the zoo's focus shifted to education. With local support and donations from both domestic and foreign sources, the zoo was relocated to its current 29-acre site in 1991.

Today, the Belize Zoo is a world-renowned wildlife education centre and the oldest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Belize. The zoo is home to over 150 animals, representing over 40 native species. The animals are housed in natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo's residents were either rescued, confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, or transferred from other rehabilitation and zoological facilities.

The Belize Zoo is committed to conservation, education, recreation, and research. It aims to bring people closer to Belize's natural heritage, fostering pride and a desire to protect it for future generations. The zoo receives no financial support from the Government of Belize and relies on admission fees, tours, donations, and adoption and membership programs for funding.

Animals rescued or donated

The Belize Zoo is home to over 150 animals, all of which are native to Belize. The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was left with a group of wild animals after working on a natural history documentary. These animals formed the basis of the zoo, which has since become a world-renowned wildlife education and rehabilitation centre.

The zoo's animals are either people's pets, donated, confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, injured and brought in for rehabilitation, born at the zoo, or sent from another zoological facility. The zoo does not receive any financial support from the Government of Belize and is instead funded through admission fees, tours, donations, and adoption and membership programs.

The animals are kept in habitats that reflect their natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for visitors. The zoo is also accessible to persons with physical disabilities, with gravel trails winding through the dense, natural vegetation.

Among the zoo's residents are several species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Mammals include Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, as well as the five wildcat species found in the country: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay, and jaguarundi. The bird collection features scarlet macaws, owls, and harpy eagles, while reptiles include crocodiles, boa constrictors, and green iguanas.

Animals confiscated from illegal trade

The Belize Zoo is home to a variety of animals, all of which are native to Belize. The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who had been working as an assistant and animal caretaker on a documentary film set. When the filming ended, the crew was unsure what to do with the tame animals. As releasing them into the wild was not an option, Matola decided to start a zoo.

Today, the zoo cares for over 160 animals, representing 43 native species. The animals at the zoo have been sourced in various ways, including those confiscated from illegal trade.

The Belize Zoo is committed to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and its animals are often those that have been rescued or confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade by law enforcement. This includes animals that have been illegally traded or smuggled, usually due to their rarity or exotic nature. These animals are confiscated by authorities and brought to the zoo for care and rehabilitation. The zoo provides a safe and natural habitat for these animals, allowing them to recover and adapt to a life similar to what they would experience in the wild.

The zoo's focus on education and conservation makes it an ideal place for confiscated animals to be rehabilitated and studied. The zoo's immersive educational experience helps visitors understand the importance of protecting Belize's natural heritage, including the animals that are often targeted by illegal traders.

By confiscating and rehabilitating these animals, the zoo plays a crucial role in disrupting the illegal wildlife trade and protecting Belize's native species. The zoo's efforts contribute to the larger goal of wildlife conservation and the preservation of Belize's unique biodiversity. This approach aligns with the zoo's overall mission to inspire passion for the protection of Belize's wildlife and their natural habitats.

Animals transferred from other facilities

The Belize Zoo is home to over 150 native wildlife species, all of which were once pets, donated, born at the zoo, or transferred from other zoological facilities. The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who was left with a handful of wild animals from a natural history documentary. Matola started the zoo with these animals, and over time, it became a place for rescued, confiscated, and transferred animals.

The zoo's focus is on educating residents and visitors about native wildlife, and it has become a world-renowned wildlife education centre. The animals in the zoo are not taken from the wild but are instead transferred from other rehab and zoological facilities. This transfer allows the zoo to provide an immersive educational experience for visitors while also caring for the animals' needs.

The Belize Zoo is committed to conservation and education, aiming to bring people closer to the animals and instil a sense of pride and respect for Belize's natural resources. The zoo's efforts have made it a respected and recognised institution, receiving the Belize Tourism Board's 9th National Tourism Award for "Educational Award of the Year" in 2009.

The zoo's educational focus

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC) is a non-profit organisation with a strong educational focus. The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, who initially cared for a handful of wild animals that had been used in a natural history documentary. When the filming ended, Matola was left with these animals and decided to start a zoo. The zoo's focus is to educate residents and visitors about Belize's native wildlife, with the aim of instilling appreciation, pride, and a desire to protect and conserve the country's natural resources.

The zoo is home to over 150 native wildlife species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Visitors can easily see many of Belize's magnificent mammals in a natural setting, such as the elusive and endangered national animal, the Central American tapir. The zoo also houses Belize's five wildcat species, including jaguars, pumas, and ocelots.

The Belize Zoo offers a variety of educational experiences for its visitors. In addition to traditional daytime tours, the zoo offers night tours, allowing visitors to observe the activity of crepuscular and nocturnal animals, such as tapirs, jaguars, and howler monkeys. The zoo also offers unique encounters, such as the "Lindo Link," where visitors can get up close and personal with a rescued jaguar named Lindo. The "Junior Buddy" encounter involves a young jaguar born and raised in the zoo, where visitors can safely enter his exhibit and interact with him on a more personal level. The goal of this encounter is to promote appreciation and respect for the jaguar species.

The Tropical Education Center (TEC), located adjacent to the zoo, serves as a lodge, learning centre, and training facility. It provides a place for rest and education after a day of wildlife encounters. TEC sits on 84 acres of tropical savanna and offers a variety of accommodations and meals.

The Belize Zoo is committed to conservation, education, recreation, and research. By bringing people closer to the animals, the zoo aims to foster a sense of pride and a desire to protect Belize's natural heritage for future generations. The zoo generates funding for its residents through admission fees, tours, donations, and adoption and membership programs, as it receives no financial support from the Government of Belize.

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