Florida zoo throws party for Panama jaguar

FIONA, an orphaned Panamanian jaguar who survived wounds from poachers’ dogs three years ago, celebrated her third birthday in her new home in Florida’s Palm Beach Zoo on Wednesday, Oct 4, World Animal Day.

Fiona was rescued in Bayano, east of Panama City, in October 2014, when her mother was killed and she was wounded by dogs of poachers.

During her first months of life, the cub was raised by Lynne Hawksworth, a British volunteer who works with the Pan American Conservation Association (APPC).

As the months passed, Fiona recovered and became very strong.and was taken to a site at the APPC Wildlife Care Center in Gamboa, where she lived until last April when she was transferred to the zoo

Yamil Sanchez, the Vice Minister of the Environment . and APPC members Nestor Correa and Lynne Hawksworth who nursed the cub back to good health flew into Palm Beach for the party.