National Pride Takes Flight at Belize Zoo

Kolcha Tuesday is back! And throughout September, we’re celebrating Belize’s identity by spotlighting the national symbols that tell our country’s story. The Keel-Billed Toucan is known for its brilliant colors, but at the Belize Zoo, three rescued birds are sharing powerful stories of survival. Tea, Kettle and Ignacio each received a second chance at life and now serve as wildlife ambassadors, using their playful personalities and unique adaptations to teach visitors about conservation. In this week’s Kolcha Tuesday, we meet a colorful trio of national birds carrying Belize’s national pride on their wings.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

“This is Belize’s National Bird, the Keel-Billed Toucan located here at the Belize Zoo. The name is Tea. You have Kettle hiding somewhere there in the back as well as Ignacio. These are three of the four Keel- Billed Toucan and they all have a story worth telling and worth appreciating.”

 

Gerson Garcia, Lead Zookeeper, The Belize Zoo

“Ignacio as the name suggest is from San Ignacio. He has a wing injury and he went to the wildlife clinic and he could not be released back into the wild to survive. So he came to the Belize Zoo as his permanent home. And then Tea and Kettle, if you put that together, you get Teakettle. That is where they came from. They were little babies found in some farming area back there took them and gave them up because they were just little babies.”

 

With its bright colors, bold appearance and lively personality, the Keel-Billed Toucan perfectly reflects Belize’s natural beauty and spirit. Tea and Kettle were lucky to have found the Belize Zoo, because their chances of survival in the wild as orphan chicks were slim. Now, this trio serves as ambassadors of the zoo, teaching visitors from far and wide about Belize’s national bird.

 

Gerson Garcia

“And not as colorful.”

 

Paul Lopez

“I think it wants more papaya. Alright Tea take your time. Tea is like a demanding child. Take your papaya Tea and behave yourself.”

 

The Keel-Billed Toucan’s vibrant beak can grow up to six inches, accounting for nearly one-third of its total length. And while it may look heavy, its beak is actually hollow, lightweight and made of keratin.

Gerson Garcia

“One of his favorite fruits is the papaya.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Hi Tea, take some papaya. Give mih, mih papaya. Tea loves the papaya. Tea dah true Belizean. So they are happy here.”

 

Gerson Garcia

“They are very happy and they have a natural setting and a nice habitat where they can fly free and they get their fresh food, water. No reason to complain.”

 

Paul Lopez

What is an interesting facts or two that you all use these ambassadors to educate people about the Keel-Billed Toucan?

 

Gerson Garcia

“We always share with our guests the natural history of the animals. Killed Bill Toucans are omnivores, that means they eat fruits and they also eat insects and that is their diet in the wild. And they are very colorful.”

 

Adopted around the time of Belize’s independence in September 1981, the toucan symbolizes the nation’s strong connection to its tropical forests and diverse wildlife. Its body is mostly black with a bright yellow chest, red under its tail and blue feet. Toucans are very sociable birds and that is why Tea, Kettle and Ignacio can coexist in the same habit.

 

Paul Lopez

“And so in the spirit of the September celebrations you have learnt a few fun facts about the Belize National Bird, the Keel-Billed Toucan, courtesy Tea who has been our companion throughout this entire interview. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.”

 

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: