Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Belize Zoo is having a celebration for Panama's 12th birthday.  The Harpy Eagle will be having a meet and greet session, where he'll gladly stare at you while take pictures of him, starting at 10:30am.  There will also be fun and games for the kids, and a special visit from the Belize Raptor Center.  

"Come join our education team this Wednesday as we celebrate Panama's 12th Birthday at the Belize Zoo.  We will have a special meet and greet with a few of our avian ambassadors and prizes for people who know "What makes a Raptor"  Raptors Rule!! Looking forward to seeing everyone!"

The Belize Zoo is celebrating Panama's 10th birthday tomorrow, starting at 10:30am.  As part of the festivities they'll have an unveiling ceremony for an exquisite feather art display, with special guests Peter Hughes, Belize’s British High Commissioner, and Ornithologist Jonathan Urbina.  Happy Birthday, Panama!

"Another year has almost gone by and on November 15th The Belize Zoo’s Ambassador Harpy Eagle, Panama, will be celebrating his 10th birthday.  This will be a grand event with the launch of our new Harpy Eagle poster and the unveiling of original artwork by British High Commissioner, Peter Hughes, and artist, Jonathan Urbina, to commemorate Panama the Harpy Eagle's birthday.  Harpies are the largest eagles in the Americas and when their double crested crown is fluffed up they look regal and majestic.  Unfortunately, this species is Near Threatened through out its territory and Critically Endangered in Belize due to deforestation and persecution.  Hence the reason Panama is very important in educating people about these apex predators!"

There are a couple of birthdays at the Belize Zoo this week, and some Cayo students got to go and celebrate the occasion.

"The Belize Zoo recently celebrated two important milestones, with a fantastic “Predator Party” for Junior Buddy the Jaguar’s sixth birthday and Panama the Harpy Eagle’s tenth birthday.  To mark the occasions, zoo officials invited children from La Democracia Pre-School and the Infant Two class from the Howard Smith School in Benque Viejo del Carman to join in the celebration and learn more about the contribution of these apex predators to the health of the forest."

April the Tapir lived to a ripe old age, for a Tapir, at the Belize Zoo.  April was 30 years old when she went to the big jungle in the sky this week.  RIP, April, Tapir Town won't be the same without you.

In related news, TBZ is preparing to celebrate the 10th birthday of Panama the Harpy Eagle on Friday, November 15th.

"April, for three decades, has brought awareness to the nation of Belize about the special profile of her species, the Central American Tapir, our National Animal.  Thousands of children grew up with April.  They became well aware that our National Animal was a significant part of our Belizean heritage, and April helped establish a sense of pride, appreciation, and, even love, in visitors that met her.  Her birthday parties have served as a platform for community involvement, learning, and, of course, lots of fun for the young and the old.  TBZ is committed to keeping April's legacy alive for years to come."