The Belize Zoo is truly a unique experience and far more than just a collection of animals kept locked up in cages. Located just a few miles outside of Belize City, the zoo was founded in 1983 as the Tropical Education Center to provide refuge for animals that had been abandoned after being used in a documentary film.
Today, the Belize Zoo is an interactive wildlife park that is the first location of its kind to be completely accessible to handicapped persons. Measuring more than 29 acres in size, the Belize Zoo is home exclusively to more than 140 animals that are native to the country, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Continuing its original mission, all of the 45 species of wildlife at the Belize Zoo are rescued animals.
Some of the most popular residents of the Belize Zoo include Junior Buddy (a jaguar), Panama (a harpy eagle) and Fuego, a Baird’s Tapir, the national animal of Belize.
Although Belizeans live in one of the most ecologically diverse environments on the planet, many of them are unaware of the rich diversity of wildlife to be found in their country. The Belize Zoo doubles as an educational center, providing information and hands-on experiences in order to encourage respect for the animals and plants of Belize and emphasize the importance of preserving the natural heritage of the country for generations yet to come.
More than 68,000 people visit the Belize Zoo every year including school groups from local schools in Belize. Student career training, summer camps, reading programs, and birthday parties for the animals are regular events at the Belize Zoo to help increase awareness of the rich diversity of wildlife in Belize.
Visit the Belize Zoo
Chabil Mar strongly encourages all visitors to Belize to visit the Belize Zoo and our concierge would be very pleased to make those arrangements for a visit there for you.
A luxury resort located just a short distance from Placencia Village, Chabil Mar features lovely well-appointed villas on an immaculate property complete with a lovely tropical garden, infinity swimming pool, and a top-rated restaurant and bar.
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