Scarlet Macaw

Next year's freshman read at Boise State University is 

"The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman's Fight to Save the Worlds Most Beautiful Bird", by Bruce Barcott

Our class read the book as preparation for our trip to Belize.  We had the privilege of stopping by the Belize zoo on our way to Bella Vista. 

The Woman in Barcott's Last Flight is Sharon Matalo.  Here we are standing with Sharon in front of the Scartlet Macaws' exhibit.  The Last Flight tells the amazing story of Sharon's journey of commitment to education and wildlife preservation through her efforts in founding and growing the Belize Zoo into one of the best in the world.

Sharon spent several hours with us.  She took us into the Scarlet Macaws' aviary and allowed us to feed them and also gave us close up experiences with one of the Zoo's jaguars 'Junior Buddy'.

We say "THANKS" to Sharon for sharing her time and story with us.

Below is a series of pictures from our stop at the zoo.

Snake Charmers... Drew, Sara, Tory, and Darren

Sharon telling us about the Scarlet Macaws.. and allowing each of us to feed them

Caia

Ok.. I had to throw in a picture of me

Tory 'high fiving' Junior Buddy...  Tory is now affectionately known as Junior Buddy

Belize's National animal, Tapir, known as the mountain cow.  The Tapir named April was the zoo's first animal.  All animals at the zoo are indigenous to Belize and brought to the zoo when they are injured or  animals causing problems in farming areas.

Ben Herden's goal... to see a monkey came true on our first day in Belize!