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Buddy Got A Birthday Bone
Fri, February 23, 2018
Today primary school kids from La Democracia and Toledo skipped school to go to a birthday party for an 11 - year - old.

But it wasn't any old pre-teen that they went to celebrate, it was Junior Buddy - the jaguar. The zoo threw him a big party and our Sahar Vasquez stopped in to pay the birthday boy a special visit.

Sahar Vasquez reporting
Junior Buddy may be one of the Belize zoo's most popular animals. Buddy attracts admirers from all over the world with his beautiful coat and feline charm. Today he celebrated his eleventh birthday, and just like the past 10 years, a celebration with some of his biggest fans was held in his honour.

Jaguars usually have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years but, at eleven, the charismatic jaguar is thriving. And it does not seem like he will slow down anytime soon.

Jamal Andrewin Bohn, Education Director- Belize Zoo
"He is a bit like a surly teenager. He is a bit slow to cooperate but now he is reveling in his birthday. In the wild, the average lifespan of a jaguar is 10 to 15 years. He is at the age where most jaguar in a wild setting would start to have deteriorating health issues as they get older but because he is in a captive environment is comfortable he has low stress and he responds very well to his caregivers and his admirers still he can live a very long time."

But what makes Buddy so special is his unique upbringing. The jaguar was raised by humans.

Jamal Andrewin Bohn, Education Director- Belize Zoo
"He was raised exclusively by people. His mother was a sheep killer we rescued many years ago. She gave birth to him here in the zoo but was unable to raise him. The zoo had to intervene and effectively become his maternal figure. He has always associated with humans rather than Jaguars. That is why he has become such an amazing ambassador for his species. He is very charismatic and he responds well to people."

And Buddy's youthful birthday guests were more than elated to be a part of the celebration and marvel at his exquisiteness.

Kaleesha Jones, St. Anglican Primary School
"I feel great because I get to give him his big bone."

Jahmar Flowers, St. Anglican Primary School
"I like the colour of his fur, the way he lives, the way he hunts, the way he eats."

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"Do you like Jaguars?"

Leon Gillett, St. Anglican Primary School
"Yes ma'am."

Sahar Vasquez
"Why?"

Leon Gillett, St. Anglican Primary School
"Because of how they climb the tree and when they jump into the water to go after turtles and other animals."

Of course, no birthday is complete without a cake, or, in Buddy's case a massive chunk of meat. He left his guests is a state of awe as he dove into the water and contently devoured his special treat.

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