Description of the attraction
Construction on the Belize Zoo began in 1983 as a last-ditch effort to provide a home for a wildlife collection that was used in rainforest documentaries. Shortly after the opening of the zoo, management found out that Belizean visitors are completely unfamiliar with the different species of animals that live in the neighborhood. This aspect has become key in the development of a small zoo and wildlife education center.
Today, the Belize Zoo and Tropical Training Center has settled on 11.74 hectares of savannah and exhibits over 170 animals of more than 45 species that inhabit Belize. The zoo contains animals that were left without parents, rescued, born in the zoo, rehabilitated animals or donated from other zoos.
A visit to the zoo is the best way to get to know the animals of Belize. Here you can see jaguars, ocelots, white-tailed deer, black howler monks, tapirs and cougars. The aviaries are inhabited by toucans, king vultures, macaws and harpies. The reptile hall is home to tree frogs, iguanas, coral snakes, crocodiles and boas. The Belize Zoo maintains a small display of Belize's most common snakes, including some of the most dangerous, often using the harmless boa constrictor in many environmental education programs.
About 70 thousand people visit the zoo annually. As part of the ongoing programs, various events are held, for example, "Fuego Tapir Birthday", "Friends of the Jaguar", summer camps, various projects for pupils and students.
The Belize Zoo is fully accessible for disabled visitors. It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization focused on wildlife conservation.
