The Belize Zoo's Tropical Education Center and Lodge

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC) is a not-for-profit organization founded by Sharon Matola in 1983, who was caring for a handful of wild animals that had been part of a natural history documentary. When filming was completed, she was left with these animals and decided to start a zoo. Over forty years later, the “backyard zoo” has become a world-renowned wildlife education center where visitors connect with Belize’s unique natural heritage: the animals.