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Belize Conservation and Adventure Travel working together: |
 Leading the Way...
Belize Audubon Society
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center
Problem Jaguar Program
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Leading
the Way...
When you travel to Belize with Island Expeditions
you're a part of the action - tourism and conservation working
together so that wild and wondrous places remain to be explored.
Here, on our website we profile two organizations whose tireless
efforts and sleeves-up hard work have led to the creation
of numerous parks, wildlife sanctuaries and marine reserves
throughout the country. It's no secret in Belize that eco-tourism
is adding compelling new economic incentives for protecting
rainforests, wetlands and tropical coral reef habitats. As
we explore our world, we are more than ever, mindful of the
need to financially support wildlife and habitat conservation,
education and sustainable development in the communities we
visit. In addition to this support, a selection of our trips
are operated in partnership with the Belize Zoo and the Belize
Audubon Society, utilizing their facilities and drawing on
the resources of their expert leaders and educators.
"I
admire your organization for its support of the Mayas,
and your efforts to protect the environment.
David Sutton
Cockscomb Whitewater Expedition
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Belize Audubon Society
For close to fourty years the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) has served Belize as environmental conscience and teacher and today is involved in all aspects of nature conservation and education in the country. When you visit protected areas in Belize you're likely to be greeted by friendly BAS park wardens, staff or volunteers. They are responsible for managing the nation's best known attractions, including the world renowned Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, Blue Hole National Park and Half Moon Cay The BAS also publishes a useful guide to the protected areas of Belize and their quarterly newsletter sent to all members is a great way to stay in touch with Belize after you've returned home from your trip.
For membership information contact:
Belize Audubon Society
12 Fort Street
PO Box 1001
Belize City, Belize
Central America
Email: base@btl.net
Website: www.belizeaudubon.org |
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The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center
Founded in 1983, the Belize Zoo's origins
grew from a need to provide a home for captive and semi-tame
wildlife, which had been used in making wildlife documentaries
in Belize. Today, the Belize Zoo is internationally acclaimed
as a phenomenally successful conservation and education organization.
Throughout the last 20 years the zoo has provided a home to
orphaned and injured animals native to Belize. Many animals
have also been born at the zoo and today the zoo is home to
all five species of wild cats, Baird's tapir, howler monkey,
crocodile, king vultures, jabiru stork and all sorts of other
strange and wonderful mammals, reptiles and birds. Early in
the process of establishing the zoo, the founders came to
realize that many Belizeans were unaware of the great diversity
of wildlife in their own land. From this recognition grew
a commitment to provide Belizeans with the opportunity to
experience firsthand the magnificent bounty nature has bestowed
upon their small country. In 1998 over 10,000 Belizean school
children and 600 teachers visited the zoo as part of education
programs and popular zoo events. For travelers arriving in
Belize there is no better place to start than the Belize Zoo
and Tropical Education Center (TEC). The zoo spread over 29 acres
is organized around the theme of "a walk through the
habitats of Belize", with trails leading into pinelands,
the forest edge, the rainforest, lagoons and riverine forest.
Located one hour south of Belize City the facilities are open
daily from 9am to 4:30pm. Entrance costs are adults -$10.00
US and children -$5.00 us. If you would like to learn more
about the zoo why not become a sponsor and receive a membership
card, the Belize Zooletter and free entrance for a year.
Contact the Belize Zoo and TEC at:
P.O. Box 1787
Belize City, Belize
Central America
E-mail: belizezoo@btl.net
Website: www.belizezoo.org |
Problem Jaguar Program
Jaguars are losing habitat throughout their range due to alteration and destruction of their forest homes, as the Belize population grows. This, combined with increased hunting pressure on their prey-base (both jaguars and people like to hunt peccary, deer, paca, among others), results in a situation where Jaguars hunt closer and closer to populated areas. These animals that repeatedly prey upon livestock and domestic animals like dogs and chickens, are then deemed "Problem Jaguars". Traditionally, these animals were hunted and destroyed.
The Problem Jaguar Program takes these animals and rehabilitates them by exposing them to people, and then will eventually be transferred to hand picked, recognized zoos throughout the world. While the Jaguar Rehabilitation program is a positive step, it is not viewed as a solution to the Problem Jaguar issue which Belize and other nations currently face. However, providing these endangered cats “another chance”, and one which serves a noble purpose, that of public education and genetic empowerment of captive Jaguar populations, is a far more positive option than seeing them shot or poisoned.
Both the Belize Zoo and Belize Audubon Society are working to educate the public ways where people can better manage their livestock to help to avoid predator problems. Entitled, “Endangered Species in Conflict, Protecting the Jaguar”, this dynamic program travels to schools and communities located nearby Jaguar territory and highlights both the natural history of this magnificent wild cat, and also, the current problems affecting its survival in Belize. |
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