April the tapir turns 18
In terms of name recognition she’s probably not too far behind Marion Jones–and she’s still a teenager. Jose Sanchez reports on one of our favorite national symbols.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Back in 1983 when the Belize Zoo first opened its gates, few would have predicted that a shy newborn would one day grow up to be the destination’s biggest attraction, an animal revered by a nation and celebrated in children’s games.
Celso Poot, Education Director, Belize Zoo
“April is one of the stars in the Belize Zoo. She’s eighteen today and we’re celebrating her birthday.”
Jose Sanchez
“So what have you done for April’s birthday?”
Celso Poot
“We’ve invited four schools to come out today and sing her birthday songs.”
And in addition to songs, April was honored with a gourmet cake made of horse chow, carrots, hibiscus flower, orange and topped off with sweet honey.
Jose Sanchez
“Where does April come from?”
Celso Poot
“April was one of the original animals from the zoo when they were doing the natural history documentary film on wildlife in Belize. She was brought to the set and when the programme ran out of money April remained as one of the zoo animals.”
Jose Sanchez
“And throughout her eighteen years, does April have a partner in life?”
Celso Poot
“April has a partner. She has Scotty who’s right next door to her enclosure.”
Jose Sanchez
“Do they have any kids?”
Celso Poot
“Not as yet, we hope that one day April will give birth to a young Tapir.”
A Tapir has a life span of thirty years, so April has plenty of time to produce an offspring, that will perhaps be named May.
Celso Poot
“Tapir’s are very endangered throughout the range, however, Belize still has a healthy population of Tapir. They’re herbivores, they’re harmless animals, they don’t eat meat, and they’re related to the horses and the rhinoceros and not as to the cow as we would think because we call them mountain cow in Belize.”
And in addition to organizing the birthday bash, the zoo took the opportunity to launch the third in a series of books designed to educate children about another endangered species, the Macaw.
Celso Poot
“The scarlet macaw is a very endangered species. It’s one of the rarest parrots in Belize. Estimates suggest that only about two hundred of these birds remain in Belize. They live in the Cayo and Stann Creek District only in Belize.”
“This story book is about Hoodwink, the wise old owl and Mac, a young scarlet macaw. Mac, while flying for the very first time bumped into Hoodwink the Owl and consequently lost his home. Hoodwink promised Mac to take him through the forest of Belize and help him look for his parents. While flying through the Belizean forests they learned about the other animals in Belize and also about the spirit of the people in Belize with regards to conservation efforts.”
“This is the third storybook written by the zoo’s director Sharon Matola. This storybook complements her field research on Scarlet Macaw’s, and also our education programme in the Stann Creek District, targeting the area where the Scarlet Macaw feeds seasonally.”
Hoodwink the Owl and Mac the Macaw’s celebrity status are growing quickly, but no one will dispute that the zoo’s premier attraction will always be April.
Dyllon Leslie, Student
“April is a vegetarian, underwater diver, and she’s Belize’s greatest national animal.”
Nellie Alamilla, Student
“I think April’s birthday party was good.”
Jose Sanchez
“Why?”
Nellie Alamilla
“Because it’s her eighteen birthday because she has become an a parent…teenager.”
Jose Sanchez
“What have you learned about tapir’s today?”
Nellie Alamilla
“I think tapirs are great animal because they are a mountain cow.”
Isaac Stephens, Student
“I know she’s a nice animal and everything and she’s eighteen today.”
Jose Sanchez
“How do you feel about attending April’s birthday party today?”
Issac Stephens
“I feel happy.”
Jose Sanchez
“You got any party treats, or hat?”
Isaac Stephen
“No sir.”
Jose Sanchez
“You wanted a piece of the cake?”
Isaac Stephen
“No, because it’s made out of sand and…”
Jessie Usher, Student
“I like April because she brings lots of tourists from other places to come see here.”
Jose Sanchez
“What do you know about April?”
Jessie Usher
“I know she’s eighteen today and every year when they have her birthday they make cake and I didn’t get to taste the cake.”
Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
The latest exploits of Hoodwink and Mac will soon be available at bookstores for ten dollars.
