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I don't believe I am off topic. This is a story about people destroying the lives and good work of other people. It shouldn't be swept under the rug. I think it would be great if land and resources were donated to start over again. That is very generous and thoughtful.
I don't think the attitude should be taken to say,"Oh well, what's done is done let's go forward". I believe perpetrators should be held accountable. I believe that people should not get away with taking the law into their own hands.

No one is saying "oh well" as you put it. or at least not how i read it.

My offer stands!!!

No doubt in the heat of the moment, the reported quote "they are not human beings, they are savages" hasn't helped community relations with the local Mayans.

This is about two serious crimes: a) two missing children and b) arson. But it's in danger of becoming a 'clash of civilizations', which certainly won't be positive for the country.

Mutual sympathy for local traditions and environmental activity seems somehow to have gone awry, which is very sad for all involved, and for the nation as a whole.

Well said. My heart goes out to the grieving parents and the grieving Rose family.

Corozaleno - that is very generous and kind offer. I have been told that 10 acres is the necessary amount of mangrove swamp for the project.

Well said James.

I don't see any conspiracies or attempts to hide or bury the story.

well if the people from aces wish to talk... there is room to do so!!

Timeline, The Examiner.com

August 30, 2010
Farmer Pedro Rash of San Marcos village in the Toledo district of southern Belize reported to police that he had sent his 11-year-old daughter Oneila Rash and 9-year-old son Benjamin Rash into Punta Gorda Town to sell limes, but that they had not returned home.

Police tracked leads that led them to a main highway where the children had been spotted possibly trying to catch a ride, but searches of that area and others were fruitless.

September 2, 2010
Four males with machetes appeared at the ACES gate to ask Rose if he knew anything about a missing child. After he told them that he didn't, the group left, and Rose departed for Ambergris Caye, an island in the north part of the country, where the Belize Forest Department had asked him and his wife Chenot-Rose to capture three "problematic" crocodiles.

Family members told police that an oracle or "bush doctor" had informed them that Rose and Chenot-Rose were holding the children against their will at ACES. Police searched the premises and found no evidence of the children.

September 4, 2010
After gathering at the police station to demand further searches, a large group of villagers with machetes and rifles boarded a bus and went to ACES. The children's father Pedro Rash looked in through the windows and believed he saw limes like the ones his son and daughter had been selling.

Rose, still on Ambergris Caye, received a call from police that ACES had been destroyed by fire.

Police disarmed the villagers, confiscated the bus, detained them until noon, then released them.

September 6, 2010
Rose returned to the ACES property to assess the damage, estimated at $1 million, and to speak with police.

Reportedly one of the sanctuary's 17 resident crocodiles was shot and another hacked with machetes.

Police are investigating the attack as suspected arson. Rose's statements strongly condemn the villagers.

Onelia and Benjamin Rash remain missing. Police continue the search.

Thanks Marty, for publishing the timeline, and your note. I see that this issue isn't under Nature any more. I scoured every source I could find throughout the day yesterday, and it wasn't until today I saw the unfortunate "strong language". Also everybody seems to agree this is a human against human tragedy.

RE: timeline... I had not realized there was such "probable cause" for the torching... I mean "similar looking limes," how much more proof do you want???

geez....