Belize boasts an extensive system of protected areas, from national parks to nature reserves and bird sanctuaries to archaeological reserves. Furthermore, private reserves managed by conservation initiatives also exist within the country.
Community-based conservation is an integral component of wildlife protection programs in the country, such as the Community Baboon Sanctuary which serves as an exemplar project.
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Belize’s premier birding spots. The Sanctuary’s wetlands play an integral role in supporting both local and migratory bird species, such as endangered ones like Baird’s Tapir and Central American River Turtle, as well as providing benefits to Belize City residents by absorbing runoff from its river source and helping reduce flooding in Belize City.
The area’s wetlands are exceptionally varied and rich, boasting an intricate patchwork of lagoons, swamps, marshes and creeks that vary seasonally in their levels of dryness or flooding. Their waterways support aquatic and riparian plants and have become internationally renowned as bird habitats – this being recognized through Ramsar listing in 1998.
Managed by Belize Audubon Society, the Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent location for birdwatching enthusiasts. Boasting over 16,400 acres that span lagoons, forests and pine savannah areas – home to hundreds of native and migratory bird species such as jabiru storks with wingspan exceeding 12 feet! – this paradise for birders boasts the prime breeding grounds in Central America for jabiru storks!
Crooked Tree Sanctuary has long been revered by English loggers as a world-class destination for nature enthusiasts and birders, wildlife conservation efforts and providing vital resource services. Now over 200 years later, English loggers may have given its name this moniker in an homage to its unique native logwood trees that dot its landscape. Now an invaluable resource for wildlife and the people of Belize alike.
Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary can be reached within minutes from Belize City along the Phillip Goldson Highway or by bus, which departs regularly from both Orange Walk and Belize City districts.
Crooked Tree Sanctuary provides visitors with an insight into Belizean way of life and is also an entryway into its rich natural and cultural heritage of southern Belize. Established in 1750 as one of the earliest ongoing settlements, today this village still retains much of its Kriol culture, food and atmosphere; not to mention being famous for cashew products, folk crafts and birding activities – something not many places can boast!
American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES)
American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES), situated near Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, works to protect and rehabilitate endangered animals. Their goal is to raise awareness among local communities about the significance of protecting and conserving wildlife in Belize, while ACES serves as an avenue to educate tourists on best practices for wildlife encounters such as approaching animals without disturbing their natural behavior or inducing harm; along with expert photography tips for documenting them.
ACES works to educate the public and protect Belize’s critical wetland habitats and endangered species while simultaneously working to preserve critical wetland habitats and protected species. As a Belize company and non-profit organization with permission from the Belize Forest Department, ACES has since its formation rescued and relocated countless problematic crocodiles so they may return to their natural environments while keeping people safe.
Christina Manzi of ACES Education and Project Coordinator recently gave a presentation at The Island Academy in Belize City regarding crocodile conservation. She introduced them to Enchilada, a young American crocodile she had rescued, while providing important facts. Students learned about crocodiles being both predators and scavengers that feed off fish as well as smaller creatures; additionally, it is illegal to feed or capture these reptiles for sport purposes.
Although many sanctuaries provide educational and conservation activities, not all provide hands-on experiences such as guided tours, feeding tours or zoo visits that allow visitors to connect directly with animals. Therefore, it’s essential that visitors check each sanctuary individually to see which activities allow for interaction between visitors and animals. These may include guided tours, feed tours or zoo visits among many others.
Some sanctuaries also specialize in providing education about wildlife issues and sustainable tourism practices to local communities. For example, San Ignacio’s Green Iguana Conservation Project features educational exhibits and interactive programs to raise awareness about this endangered iguana species.
Donating to wildlife sanctuaries is an invaluable way of protecting and managing the species they serve, so any donation to these sanctuaries will ensure they can continue their work in the future.
World Land Trust
Belize is an exotic tropical Eden filled with striking biodiversity, yet its natural resources are at risk from climate change, industrial farming practices, illegal logging practices, wildlife crime and wildlife crime. Unfortunately, the Belizean government cannot deal with these challenges alone and there has since emerged an extensive network of private agencies working towards protecting Belizean natural treasures while simultaneously encouraging ecotourism development.
With this network of conservation practitioners both locally and internationally, the country is able to meet its conservation goals – from protecting individual manatees to meeting international environmental targets. Walker notes that effective coordination is the key to success – meaning uniting all levels of society from individuals up through resorts and tour operators.
WLT collaborated with Wildtracks to partition a portion of the Rio Bravo lagoon in order to help manatees adjust to life in water and return them back into their natural environment. Furthermore, this organization conducts landscape-level planning projects designed to strengthen protections for Belize’s coastal ecosystems, as well as offering project planning management and grant writing courses so more Belizeans may benefit from such expertise.
WLT has undertaken many significant projects over the years, but none more significant than purchasing and creating the Belize Maya Forest Reserve. Spanning 105,000 acres (29,000 ha), it sits adjacent to Rio Bravo Conservation Management Area to safeguard vital gaps in Selva Maya ecosystem and connect existing protected areas such as Freshwater Creek Forest Reserve and Honey Camp National Park.
As our planet is facing an environmental crisis, the significance of wildlife sanctuaries cannot be overstated. By supporting their work in Belize and helping them conserve more forests and natural habitats, you are playing an integral part in maintaining Belize as a haven for nature. Please support this crucial work today by making a donation or watching out for new appeals to protect some of our most biologically significant and threatened ecosystems through WLT!
Cayo Wildlife Sanctuary
The Cayo Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary) stands out as a truly extraordinary sanctuary due to being home to the world’s first and only jaguar preserve. Additionally, this 250,000-acre swath of forest contains other wild animals such as birds, reptiles, mammals and more; all living together harmoniously within an ecosystem-preserving preserve that helps sustain sustainable tourism while simultaneously safeguarding biodiversity in Belize’s region and offering visitors an excellent way to observe hummingbirds which make their presence known everywhere else in Belize!
Cayo Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize is helping endangered animal species recover by providing refuge from illegal hunting, as well as protecting them against poachers. Many animals in its care have come from abusive situations; donations are always welcome so the Sanctuary can continue its mission of animal care and protection.
Sanctuary animals include the Baird’s Tapir – Belize’s national animal. This large, prehistoric-looking mammal lives in the rainforest and plays a key role in ecosystem function. Furthermore, the sanctuary is home to an abundance of bird life including the Keel-billed Toucan that boasts diversity, strength and beauty; making its home among them.
Eco-tourists frequent this sanctuary, and the staff is committed to maintaining its natural habitat. Educational tours provide visitors with information on its wildlife while reminding visitors to remain at a safe distance from any animals present. Furthermore, there are birding expeditions as well as opportunities to witness the world-famous Great Blue Hole.
Belize’s Caribbean coast offers an abundant ecosystem of coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds perfect for viewing marine life. Snorkeling and scuba diving are two popular recreational activities here; you might see corals, stingrays, sea turtles, barracuda, dolphins, lobsters or any number of marine animals while diving or snorkeling here. There are also many snorkeling excursions available here such as Shark Ray Alley which allows swimmers to swim alongside nurse sharks and sting rays!
