Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Happy birthday, Benque Viejo del Carmen!  Tomorrow is the big celebration, and they'll have a little fair at the Benque HoC starting at 2:30pm.  

"Golden Evenings, a fun filled evening of traditional games & artistic performances in celebration of the 111 Anniversary Celebration of the Foundation of Benque Viejo Del Carmen"

The Belize Zoo celebrated World Tapir Day with a birthday celebration for Fuego.  He even got some birthday cake especially for him.  It was another great event at the Belize Zoo.  Ya'axche has some great pictures from the event, and Channel 5 got some video and did some interviews.

"Another smashingly successful National Tapir Day at the Zoo!  Over 250 guests from all over the country joined us to celebrate our national animal, the 'Mountain Cow.'  Excitement and energy were high, especially when Belize's new tapir ambassador, 'Fuego,' finally had his first birthday fiesta!  Students bravely addressed the crowd and shared why tapirs were important to them and their country.  

The young, talented musicians from Panerrifix Steelband kept us entertained with steelband melodies, followed by an enthusiastic sing-along session by the entire party crowd, lead by TBZ Director, Sharon Matola.  While students had their refreshments and played clever tapir games, Fuego munched away on his splendid birthday cake made of sweet potatoes, carrots, honey, and all the things a young, growing tapir loves to eat!  TBZ thanks all our special guests that made this day extra special.  Here's to another 30 years of magical mountain cow events."

Junior Buddy had his 7th birthday this week, and The Belize Zoo threw a big bash for it.  Happy birthday, Junior Buddy!  In related news, there's now an action plan for the sustainable development of the Central Belize Corridor, which jaguars and many other animals use, and need.  It's a great start, and you can read more about it on Panthera's or the zoo's sites.

"As promised, Junior Buddy had a fan club of over 200 strong show up at the Zoo yesterday to wish him many more as we celebrated his 7th Birthday.  Students, parents, and teachers from La Democracia and Mahogany Heights communities in the Belize District saw Junior diver headfirst into his pond to retrieve his delicious birthday bone, then proudly feast on it for the rest of the day while his admirers looked on.  The entire school joined TBZ Director Sharon Matola in yet another rendition of the Junior Buddy song, while cameras rolled from Love FM and News 5 news stations.  Games, prizes, snacks, facepainting and fun for all followed for a successful day in celebrating the magnificent jaguar species that still calls Belize its home, and will for many years to come!"

April the Tapir lived to a ripe old age, for a Tapir, at the Belize Zoo.  April was 30 years old when she went to the big jungle in the sky this week.  RIP, April, Tapir Town won't be the same without you.

In related news, TBZ is preparing to celebrate the 10th birthday of Panama the Harpy Eagle on Friday, November 15th.

"April, for three decades, has brought awareness to the nation of Belize about the special profile of her species, the Central American Tapir, our National Animal.  Thousands of children grew up with April.  They became well aware that our National Animal was a significant part of our Belizean heritage, and April helped establish a sense of pride, appreciation, and, even love, in visitors that met her.  Her birthday parties have served as a platform for community involvement, learning, and, of course, lots of fun for the young and the old.  TBZ is committed to keeping April's legacy alive for years to come."

DJ Memo is having his birthday bash at Hallows Place tonight.  Happy birthday DJ!  In related news, Hallows Place is having a huge August with great events most every Saturday, including their Summer Reply next week, and their Rock and Rave concert on the 24th. 

Its time for the official DJ Memo Pacheco bday bash !!! like we promised we gona do it big !! something new -- LIVE PERFORMANCE BY TapRick Di Sheriff !!! 1st time
performing in Benque Viejo !!!
---PHONE cards give a ways
---balloon drop
---free shots all night
---rum give a ways
---tequila bottle give away
--- dance competition
---cds give a ways
--- water gun shots at the door
---1st 5 ladies enter get free drink
--- all ladies enter free before 10pm

http://bestofcayo.com/calendar

There's a lot going on in Cayo tonight.  Live music at Lucky 5, the Mardi Gras celebrations on Burns avenue, DJ Fingaz' birthday party at Club Next, and Girls Night Out at Oki's.  Have a fun and safe night!

The Belize Zoo is having a slogan competition in honor of Tapir Day. It'll be Fuego's 2nd birthday on April 29th, and they are having a big bash to celebrate.  It's open to primary school students, so pass it along to all the bright, future leaders of Belize.

"The winning entries will receive a 'tapir gift-package' and will be special guests of honour, along with their classmates, at Fuego’s 2nd Birthday Bash and National Tapir Day celebrations on Wednesday April 29th at The Belize Zoo.  Deadline for submission is APRIL 16TH and should be submitted to:education@belizezoo.org."

In related news, they are looking for a bright, energetic Belizean to join their Animal Management team.

Biggy and Binjaz birthday celebration at Meluchi's was a wild event, and Danny Chung was there to get some great pictures.  Hope it's a great year.

It's George Price's birthday today, and here's a little information about the father of the nation.  Godspeed, Mr. Price!

"On 15 January, 1919, George Cadle Price, considered the Father of the Nation, was born.   How many can still remember seeing him in and around Belize and feeling proud of his contributions to our country!?  Here is an informational panel with some facts about one of our National Heroes' contributions to Belize."

The Belize Zoo is celebrating Panama's 10th birthday tomorrow, starting at 10:30am.  As part of the festivities they'll have an unveiling ceremony for an exquisite feather art display, with special guests Peter Hughes, Belize’s British High Commissioner, and Ornithologist Jonathan Urbina.  Happy Birthday, Panama!

"Another year has almost gone by and on November 15th The Belize Zoo’s Ambassador Harpy Eagle, Panama, will be celebrating his 10th birthday.  This will be a grand event with the launch of our new Harpy Eagle poster and the unveiling of original artwork by British High Commissioner, Peter Hughes, and artist, Jonathan Urbina, to commemorate Panama the Harpy Eagle's birthday.  Harpies are the largest eagles in the Americas and when their double crested crown is fluffed up they look regal and majestic.  Unfortunately, this species is Near Threatened through out its territory and Critically Endangered in Belize due to deforestation and persecution.  Hence the reason Panama is very important in educating people about these apex predators!"

Happy birthday Cayo and Benque!  Both towns celebrate 109 years today.  Check out the small article in the old Government Gazette.  In Benque, there will be a thanksgiving mass this evening at Our Lady of Mount Carmel at 7:00pm. 

"A day like this in history Benque Viejo & former El Cayo, now San Ignacio & Santa Elena were given Township status.  Happy 109 years to our beloved Benque Viejo.  Tonight a Thanks giving mass will be offered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in celebration of our municipal anniversary at 7:00 p.m"

DJ Crispy's Birthday at Meluchi's was a wild night, and a packed palapa.

World Tapir Day was this weekend, and the Belize Zoo crowned April the Tapir - ceremonially they crowned her paper mache double - as the new Miss Belize in honor of her 30th birthday.  The yearly event at the zoo was attended by 100's of students from around Belize, and the ceremonial crowning was done by four students from the Buena Vista school in Spanish Lookout.  April is the oldest living tapir in a zoo, already having outlived her life expectantcy by 5 years, in the world.  Happy birthday, April!

"To many of you watching this, the news that a new Miss Belize was crowned today will come as a big surprise.  The venue was the Belize Zoo and Education Center and the occasion was a very special one – the thirtieth birthday of a celebrity who over the years has become the face of the zoo.  Today News Five was invited to the birthday celebration of April the Tapir, and joined the many friends and guests there for what is always a memorable event."