By: Staff Writer
February 12, 2021
The Belize Zoo is still charging along with its mission to protect animals in Central America, but is in “great need” of visitors.
Sharon Matola, founding director of the Belize Zoo, spoke to Caribbean Magazine Plus about the work she has been doing at the animal sanctuary in the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic. She said: “The Zoo carries out a strict policy that all employees and guests must wear masks and social distancing is strongly encouraged.”
Despite the safety protocols, there is no guest limit to the Zoo at any particular time as Ms Matola told us that it was “not necessary” because the Zoo is in “great need” of entrance fees because they get no financial support from the government of Belize. To this, they have had to remain open on Friday and Saturday and also on Sunday by appointment.
The Zoo, which reopened to the public last year May after having been closed for two months at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been charging along with its work to protect animals of all colours and breeds.
Ms Matola said about the animals in here care: “All of the animals are fine. We have received steady contributions of food such as vegetables from farmers and chicks and ducks specifically being raised for Zoo animals.”
She added: “Rat colonies are also being kept active and rat donations are welcomed for our birds of prey.”
There was one new addition to the Zoo that got the attention of local and international media however, it was the capture of a jaguar that was reported to have been roaming the Belize city streets earlier this year.
Ms Matola said about the jaguar: “This was misinformation. There was no jaguar caught on the streets of Belize. A very fit young male jaguar was trapped wrongfully on a farm in Southern Belize. It was transferred to the Zoo where we have a successful problem jaguar programme.”
“Cats who are injured or are weakened in some way and can no longer hunt wild prey will turn to livestock, whether it is dogs or domestic fowl and then become a problem.
“The Zoo provides them a home and subsequently use them for research and education. Prior to the development of this government approved programme these problem jaguars were being shot. The male jaguar which was recently trapped was very fit and had no history of problem jaguar activities. After consultation with scientists and government officials it as decided to release the jaguar back into the wild.”
The Belize Zoo does not take animals from the wild. They are donated or are confiscated by the government from private citizens and handed to the Zoo for protection as it is illegal to keep wildlife as pets in Belize. A good portion of the animals were born at the Belize zoo.
