The Belize Zoo

We have been to many zoos in our family history. But this one by far is the most wonderful zoo we have had the opportunity to visit! The Belize Zoo and Education Center is settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 150 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize.

Jabiru Stork

This wooden 'statue' shows the Jabiru stands 5 feet tall and has a wingspan of 8 feet. Its heavy bill is about 12 inches long. Look how small Gracie is next to this giant fellow!

Dad and Gracie with a Scarlet Macaw

Grison ~ I believe he is in the weasel family... ewww!

Grant and Grace hike the stairs to get a better view of the entertaining Spider Monkeys

Mandy makes the trek too!

The Spider Monkeys are so fun to watch! This guy seemed to be posing for the camera~

Tapirs or 'Mountain Cows' These gently giants allowed my more adventurous daughter pet them! We later heard that if you are not careful they will sometimes try and urinate on you! Yikes! (sorry to be so gross.. :O )

This way to the jaguars

Springfield ~ our children got to hear first hand from Franz how he captured this lovely Jaguar near Springfield.. hence her name

Jr buddy, Springfield's beautiful son

Coatimundi

napping in the sunshine this crocodile looked almost surreal

Lovely parrots

This Margay is even more beautiful than the well known Ocelot! The photos do not do her justice

Here is the family favorite! This lovely Puma (or Mountain Lion or Red Tiger) was rubbing herself against the fence. She finally flopped on her back and on her side, purring and growling. She was such a beauty!

The male puma

The coy little Ocelot

After spending the morning at the hospital with Dr. Gough, Mandy was exhausted! We had brought along a wagon to pull her around in. She was able to walk a bit also but had to resort to being pulled quite a few times.. as of the time I am writing this, she does feel a bit better Praise the Lord! Just looking at this photo and seeing where she was a week ago encourages us that she is slowly regaining her energy! Yay!

Some gorgeous blue bird of whose name I cannot remember! :)

The whole zoo was so well maintained! There were workers painting railings and picking up debris the entire time we were there.. it was such a joy visiting such a beautiful zoo!

Lovely tropical flowers decorate the entire grounds

As we were leaving the zoo, we were already talking about what the children would like to see again upon our next visit! We are so grateful that there are wonderful places such as this where we can see God's creation up close and personal.