Usually when a birthday party is celebrated at the Belize Zoo it is for the tapir called April. That fine tradition of partying got a new addition as the zoo today celebrated the birthday of one of the best exhibits, the Harpy Eagle. We were on hand as Panama The Harpy Eagle got a treat when kids from a nearby school sung and celebrated the bird's third birthday.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
School children from La Democracia Village this morning paid a special visit to the Belize Zoo and in particular to one of the zoo's most prized exhibits, the Harpy Eagle named Panama who today celebrates its 3rd birthday.
Sharon Matola, Director Belize Zoo
"Its three years old and he is a big deal because he teaches people about Harpy Eagles."
This bird of prey was one of the first three to be brought into the country from Panama three years ago. It's part of the Peregrine Fund's efforts to reintroduce this magnificent bird into the wild since their numbers are dwindling and are now near extinct. Today Matola gave us the rare opportunity to view the bird up close and even to feed him. And while the eagle's gaze and the fierce claws look intimidating Matola says that this bird is nothing but a good symbol for Belize.
Sharon Matola,
"Not only are they very wonderful birds to have in Belize, we're bringing them back to the country. There are now seven Harpy Eagles that were bred in captivity, in Panama, and were given to Belize to restore them back into the forest where they were once found. We have them with radio telemeter, we're following them, we know what they are eating, and we know their range; they're moving around in the northwestern forests of Belize. One of the birds went to Mexico and then went to Guatemala and came back. So its kind of the regional Harpy Eagle and it seems to prefer Belize, smarts bird. And they are eating nightwalkers and coutas, that is what we have documented them eating. Also the gray fox, first record in the history of the Harpy Eagle ecology. So we're learning a lot about the birds and they are doing great.
These birds are released in the more remote forests of Belize. If they can find wild prey, if there is a good prey base, they don't want anything to do with coming into a cleared area. It's intimidating to them, they're forest birds. So that's not really a worry. The worry is people not understanding they would prefer a iguana to a chicken and they would prefer a quash to a turkey. That is the way these birds are. It is in their hard drive to hunt wildlife, that's their deal. They're top predators and so having them here in Belize is a sparkle, what do you call that a gem in the crown or something. But no worries about them coming into your backyard and taking your dog."
And while the concern that some may have about the bird making its way to inhabited areas are quickly dispelled by that explanation, Matola says that the ultimate goal is to have the birds reach a healthy population and that is a long term commitment.
Sharon Matola,
"A Harpy Eagle reaches breeding age between 4 and 6 so these are young birds and they need to establish territory, they need to be established. We are looking at a long term project here so the birds are there and in another generation we should have an established Harpy Eagle breeding population back in our country."
And looking upon this magnificent bird we can see why Matola holds that view.
Panama, The Harpy Eagle was brought to Belize on March 20 of 2003 at half a year of age.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
