The Best Little Zoo in the World
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center is not like any zoo in the world, referred to as “the best little zoo in the world.” It is the number one tourist attraction in Belize and no trip to Belize is complete without visiting.
You may be thinking “I am not a zoo person.” Neither am I. But that’s exactly why everyone should tour the zoo when in Belize. It had humble beginnings as it got it’s start from Sharon Matola, who refused to abandon these animals used in a documentary, leaving them with no care. As she began taking care of them, word spread, and people brought her injured animals to treat. Many times, she was able to rehabilitate them as that was Matola’s goal as opposed to acquiring animals. The zoo is home to orphaned, born at the zoo, and other animals as well.
As Matola’s zoo grew bigger than she imagined, she discovered many Belizeans did not know the correct names of their own animals. Instead, Belizeans used nick-names for animals. There are many theories and explanations for this. Some attribute it to lack of electricity (one couldn’t just Google) and lack of educational materials and resources to look up and confirm information. As a result, many Belizeans were mis-informed over some animals.
For example, one hawk was decreasing drastically in numbers. Matola realized it was because Belizeans wrongly believed the hawk ate chickens. (And everyone knows that Belizeans love their stew chicken, rice and beans!) When they were educated that the hawks not only do not eat chickens, but instead eat rodents and snakes, the hawks’ numbers practically increased overnight.
It is a now a tradition for every Belizean school child to tour the zoo grounds, with about 13,000 students visiting the zoo each year. There are also many zoo traditions, such as National Tapir Day, birthday celebrations for Junior Buddy and Panama, the harpy eagle. There are student summer camps and educational events as well. A more detailed story of the zoo is documented in the book The Last Scarlet Macaw-One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird. It also is a must-read before visiting Belize as it offers a crash-course in Belize politics and culture.
You can stay at the zoo!
There are cabanas, rooms, and camp grounds across the street from the zoo at the tropical education center that range from $8US/$16BZ to $80US/$160BZ. On the grounds, there are several hiking trails, and an observation deck that is ideal for birding. There is even a crocodile pond, and one of the cabanas is located on it. Many times, there are parrots flying overhead as well. The Tropical Education center also offers river tubing and kayaking for additional fees.
Since the zoo is somewhat isolated, there are not many restaurants surrounding the area. There is “Cheers” restaurant, however meals are included in the accommodation price and are served in the dining hall. Supper is typically stew chicken, rice and beans. Beer and sodas are additional. There is no liquor, but one may bring their own. The zoo offers night-tours as well, since many of the animals are nocturnal and typically sleep during the day, making them more active at night.
When arriving late into Belize, staying at the zoo is a nice way to get outside the city and off the highway at night. (One should not drive on Belize’s highways at night as they are not lit, and it is not safe.) The zoo is a just outside of Belize, a straight drive or also, there is a bus stop there as well. If one has an early morning flight, it is ideal to stay at the zoo to have an uneventful drive to the airport the next day.
The toucan at the Belize zoo. Be careful as they are almost too friendly!
Jaguar at the Belize zoo.
My mother-in-law feeding the tapir and trying to get Lucky’s, the black jaguar, attention. Will and me taking a photo after hurricane Richard, which destroyed the Belize Zoo sign. The zoo had to close for a few days because of fallen trees and other damage.
