News from Jamal and Sharon...
Joy and excitement rang through the air recently at The Belize
Zoo, as we held a special celebration to mark International Day of Persons with
Disabilities.
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| BAPDA at The Belize Zoo |
The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities, BAPDA,
had inquired about celebrating this important
day at the Zoo. BAPDA manager, Eva
Middleton, organized the early December visit.
She had been following the Zoo’s progress over the past year, as we have
diligently been working to see that this superb facility become accessible to
all Belizeans. Rose-coloured pathways,
which are wheelchair and stroller friendly, wind their way past jaguars and
tapirs, toucans and monkeys. The Best
Little Zoo in the World can be enjoyed by everyone now in Belizean society.
Ms. Middleton said that the Zoo was perfectly aligned with
the theme for 2013: “Break Barriers,
Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all” It had been over twenty-five years since Eva
Middleton last passed through the zoo. She
was joyfully astounded. “Before I lost
my leg, I could go into the rain forest.
Today, I felt like I was back in the forest again.”
A group of about fifty guests from BAPDA and Stella Maris School
joined educators Jamal Andrewin and Johanna Pacheco on an exciting Zoo
highlights tour. “Lucky Boy” the black jaguar and jaguar ambassador “Junior
Buddy” seemed to know that this was a special day. They wasted no time coming up to greet their
guests, and their guests were visibly thrilled.
Everyone had the opportunity to enjoy close up meetings with our
national animal, the Central American tapir, and our beautiful national bird,
the keel-billed toucan!
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| BAPDA Guests Meeting Rose the Croc |
The excitement did not end with a zoo tour. As the group gathered at the front of the Zoo
for refreshments, Zoo Director Sharon Matola joined Jamal Andrewin to make a
special presentation for the group. A
new colouring book, THE ABC’S OF WILD AND WONDERFUL BELIZE, was given to all of
our special guests. Having received
support from the State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland), SUNY Cortland’s, Inclusive Recreation Resource
Center, this activity oriented colouring book, dedicated to children with
disabilities, is the Zoo’s newest and proud resource. Students and professors from SUNY Cortland will be
assisting the Zoo in raising much-needed funds to fully finish the accessible
walkway. We are currently 80 percent
complete, and look forward to seeing the entire Zoo accessible!
Being so special, the colouring book deserved a
special intro! Providing that moment of exciting introduction was a job for a
zoo ambassador. “Rose” the crocodile
took on the task with reptilian delight.
As the books were passed out, “Rose” assisted with photo and petting
opportunities, adding an element of learning and surprise which was unexpected
by all.
Past president of BAPDA, Jerome Flores, who was the Zoo’s
expert consultant on the accessible walkway, joined current BAPDA president,
Marshall Nunez and manager Eva Middleton, as kind and heartfelt thanks were
given. No one wanted to leave! The Belize Zoo looks forward to more visits
from BAPDA folks, Stella Maris children, and to all with disabilities. Transforming our beautiful animal sanctuary
into an accessible destination, has added a big and shining star to the profile
of The Best Little Zoo in the World.
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