The Belize Zoo: A Wild Adventure Worth Taking

The Belize Zoo is a unique wildlife experience. Unlike most zoos, it is more like a halfway house for wild animals that cannot survive in the outside world. It is a must-visit destination in the Belize District, with many animals that are unlikely to be seen elsewhere. The zoo is home to several tapirs, gibnuts, coatimundi, scarlet macaws, white-lipped peccaries, pumas, and more. What sets the Belize Zoo apart is that it is relatively porous, allowing wildlife to wander in and out as they please. The zoo also offers a night tour, which is one of the best ways to experience it as many of the animals are nocturnal. The zoo began with filmmaker Richard Foster, who hired Sharon Matola, a Baltimore-born biologist and former circus performer, to take care of the animals during the filming of his documentary, Path of the Raingods. By the time filming was complete, the animals had become partly tame, and Matola decided to found the Belize Zoo to provide a home for them. Today, the zoo cares for over 150 native wildlife species and promotes conservation, education, recreation, and research. It is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities.

The zoo's history

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC) was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, a filmmaker and animal caretaker. After completing a natural history documentary called "Selva Verde" (Spanish for Green Forest), Matola was left with 17 wild animals, including an ocelot, a puma, a jaguar, and several exotic birds. With no funding to care for the now-tame animals, she decided to start a zoo.

What started as a "backyard zoo" soon became a world-renowned wildlife education centre. The zoo's focus shifted to educating residents and visitors about the native wildlife of Belize, as it became apparent that many Belizeans were unfamiliar with their country's fauna. The zoo relocated to its current 29-acre site in 1991, thanks to local support and donations from both local and foreign entities.

Today, the Belize Zoo is the oldest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Belize. It is home to more than 160 animals, representing 43 native species. The zoo's habitats are designed to reflect natural settings, providing an immersive educational experience for its visitors. The zoo has won awards for its contribution to education and has published a children's book based on one of its jaguars, named Junior.

The animals

The Belize Zoo is home to over 150 native wildlife, including many species that are unique to the region. The zoo's residents include wild cats such as jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and jaguarundis, as well as keel-billed toucans, tapirs, monkeys, scarlet macaws, white-lipped peccaries, coatimundi, and margays. The zoo also features a variety of native birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

The zoo is known for its focus on rescue and rehabilitation, providing a safe haven for orphaned, injured, or misused animals. Many of the animals in the zoo have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade or were previously kept as pets. The zoo makes every effort to recondition and release these animals back into the wild when possible. Those that cannot be released, such as the jungle cats, are provided with spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitats.

The enclosures at the Belize Zoo are designed to be porous, allowing for interaction between the resident animals and their wild counterparts. This unique feature gives visitors a glimpse into the natural behaviour of the animals and creates a dynamic and ever-changing environment within the zoo. The night tour is highly recommended, as it provides an opportunity to observe the nocturnal animals, such as the gibnuts and black howler monkeys, in their element.

The zoo also offers guided tours, which provide a more intimate and informative experience. The knowledgeable guides can bring you up close to the animals and share fascinating insights about their behaviour and ecology. The Belize Zoo is not just a place to observe animals but also an educational centre that promotes conservation and a deeper understanding of Belize's natural heritage.

The enclosures

The zoo's mission is to provide a safe haven for orphaned, injured, or misused animals local to Belize. It started as a simple 'backyard zoo' in the 1980s to house and protect animals that were used on film sets. Today, it is a world-renowned wildlife education centre, with animals living in natural enclosures that are much larger than those typically found in zoos in the United States. The zoo also serves as a resource for the country, as many people were unaware of the species native to their country before its existence.

The Belize Zoo is unique in that it is not just a collection of animals in cages but a true wildlife sanctuary. The staff are caretakers who are committed to the conservation of Belize's wildlife and its habitats. The zoo is also accessible to visitors with physical disabilities, making it the first nature destination in the country with this feature.

The staff

The Belize Zoo is a non-profit wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility that is home to over 150 animals representing 43 native species. The staff at the zoo are caretakers, and the zoo itself is a safe haven for orphaned, injured, or misused animals local to Belize. The staff ensure that the animals are well cared for and that the zoo is accessible to all visitors, including those with physical disabilities.

The zoo was founded in 1983 by Sharon Matola, a Baltimore-born biologist, former circus performer, and former US Air Force survival instructor. Matola was hired to take care of the animals used in a natural history documentary, and after filming was complete, she was left with 17 animals. She decided to start a zoo to provide a home for these animals, and today, the zoo is a world-renowned wildlife education center.

Overall, the staff at the Belize Zoo are passionate about animal welfare and conservation, and they work hard to ensure that the zoo is a safe and engaging place for both the animals and visitors.

The location

The Belize Zoo is located in Belize District, Belize, and is accessible by car via the Western Highway. The zoo is situated on 29-30 acres of land at Mile 29 on the George Price Highway, roughly halfway between Belmopan and Belize City. It is about a half-hour drive from the international airport. The zoo is set in a jungle-like environment, with leafy canopy trees and rustic paths. The surrounding area is home to various wildlife, including Central American agoutis (bush rabbits), iguanas, snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and jungle birds.

The zoo was founded by Sharon Matola in 1983 to care for animals used in a natural history documentary. Over the years, it has become a world-renowned wildlife education and rescue centre, providing immersive educational experiences for visitors. The zoo is committed to the conservation of Belize's wildlife and habitats, promoting education, research, and recreation.

The Belize Zoo is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, with variations in closing times on Sundays. Admission fees are $15 for adults and $5 for children aged 3 to 12. Visitors are advised to wear comfortable shoes and bring insect repellent and water due to the humid and tropical climate.

Frequently asked questions