Frederick The Tapir Found With Screwworm, Now He's Back In The Wild

Over the weekend, the Belize Zoo released its first tapir back into the wild. "Frederick" as he was affectionately named, wandered into a yard of the Dyck family in Blue Creek back in January. He was riddled with screwworm and due to his condition, it was decided that Frederick should remain in Blue Creek while being treated. Personnel from the Zoo and the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic made regular visits to treat and monitor him. Dr Isabelle Paquet-Durand was instrumental in his care.

On Saturday he was successfully released into the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management area after he made a full recovery. His movements are now being monitored by the Zoo in hopes that he continues to thrive in the wild.