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October 2007
Message from the Director
The Belize Zoo continues to grow in our conservation role, expanding our Harpy Eagle environmental education programs, as well as moving forward with our program to rehabilitate "Problem Jaguars", wild cats who repeatedly kill livestock and domestic animals. While unable to be returned to the wild, these animals undergo behaviour modification and become amenable to being around the human species. Many zoological facilities are seeking jaguars for breeding programs, with the objective to maintain healthy genetic populations in captivity. Jaguars who are part of this program, are transferred to approved zoological facilities, and receive quality care. This is a conservation program approved by the Government of Belize, and works in accordance with protocol established by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They are not sold for this purpose, and it is part of the program profile that they are transferred as a conservation agreement. This is established to foster a greater awareness, both about the "Problem Jaguar" situation facing the nation of Belize, as well as the natural history of these great cats.
At The Belize Zoo, we will soon be opening the "Wildboy Walk". This exhibit brings onto the zoo grounds, a rehabilitated "Problem Jaguar". Accompanied by interpretive graphics, the exhibit will explain this environmental conflict to our public, as well as what measures can be taken to reduce the threats of predation to livestock and to domestic animals.
The Belize Zoo received significant broadcast on ABC News in early September, showing millions of viewers the important role the zoo plays in environmental awareness and wildlife conservation. This program was extended to a longer version which appeared on the ABC program, "Nightline".
All of us at the zoo thank our supporters, who, over the years, have helped us to create an important wildlife education aimed at protecting important tropical natural resources.
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