Belize Zoo

A couple weeks ago, Michael was asked to drive two of his colleagues to the Belize Zoo for bank business. It would be a great opportunity for him to pick me up on the way and explore the zoo together for the afternoon. It was a great idea!

About 40 minutes outside the city, the Belize Zoo sign approaches on the Western Highway. A couple minutes drive up a dirt side road and you realize how special the zoo is. A sign at the entrance explains that all the creatures inside are native to Belize. All animals are taken under the zoo's care because they are orphaned or need rehabilitation. None of the inhabitants are purchased in the same way other zoos acquire their attractions. The most impressive thing about the Belize Zoo is the physical setting. Already in a natural jungle, the cages and pathways are carved through the trees. Unlike North American zoos, where there is a cage, a ten foot gap and then another barrier, the Belize Zoo has electric wire fences, six inches and a small open wooden rail. To their credit there are signs everywhere warning patrons to keep their fingers out of the cages.

You realize how smart the warning sign suggestions are as puma's and jaguars stalk in their cages inches from you. What beautiful and terrifying creatures. Being so close to danger made me a little nervous. Soon after we arrived we walked up to an iguana, we are used to them as they are every where, and it scurried away in fear. Michael jumped back and I let out a screaming laugh. The effect of the animals being so close and in their natural setting made this zoo as close to the real thing as you're gonna get.

We saw toucans, huge eagles, crocodiles and various other creatures of Belizes jungle including their national animal the tapir. The tapir, or mountain cow, is one of the weirdest animals we have ever seen. It's basically a cow with a elephant like snout. Very strange. The Belize Zoo is a very special place. It is possibly the best zoo I've ever been to.



Creatures of Belize

Eagle

Toucan

Jaguar

Michael

Crocodile

Parrot