By Marguerite Fly Bevis
Belize Ag Report
Although Belize boasts
at least 444 species of
birds, the Scarlet Macaw
(Aramacaocyanoptera) is
one of the most beautiful and
one of the most threatened
birds in the jewel. Scarlet
Macaws have survived the
tragic flooding of their habitat
by dams built in the mid 2000's. In 1989 there were about 200
known Scarlet Macaws in the country. Today, there may be
200 to 250 birds. They remain at threat due to the incursion
of poachers who steal chicks and cut down nesting trees. Scarlet
Macaws are already extirpated in most of Central America.
Funding is needed for patrolling, fuel, supplies for the
conservation teams working in very remote locations within the
Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Due to monitoring and protection
efforts of the Friends for Conservation (FCN), the "Scarlet
Six,"a group dedicated to protecting this important species,
and individuals, Sharon Matola of the Belize Zoo, Dr Isabelle
Paquet-Durand of the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic, Charles
Britt, Kristi Drexler, Roni Martinez and many others, poaching
in recent years has dropped from 90% to 30% according to a
monitoring team in 2013. U.S. citizens can make tax deductible
donations to the Rainforest Rescue Foundation, specifying the
funds to be allocated to the Belize Scarlet Macaw project.
Another way to help is to volunteer time to camp near the nesting
sites to observe and monitor Scarlet Macaws. The presence of
humans in the nesting area serves to keep poachers away. Charles
Britt says, "This is an opportunity to camp out way 'bak-a-bush,'
to really get away from it all. You would be responsible for your
own camping gear, your own food and supplies. Plan to go for
about a week. If you are interested, contact Roni Martinez, Chief
Conservation Officer of Blancaneaux Lodge." Look for a report
on this experience in a future issue of the Belize Ag Report.
Another exciting conservation project is raptor research which
is ongoing in Belize, with scientists studying Solitary and Harpy
Eagles, among other raptors, such as the Hook-billed Kite,
Orange-breasted Falcon, and many others. The 4th Annual
Bird-a-Thon was held in March 2014 for a week in order to help
raise funds for ongoing raptor research in Belize. This is the
fundraising highlight for the Belize Raptor Research Institute
(BRRI) which was founded by Ryan Phillips. Individual teams
and lodge teams participated by counting bird species during
any 24 hour period of time within a single week. Participants
compete for prizes and the BRRI trophy for the most species
observed. Please see more information about this worthy project
at www.belizeraptorresearch.com/.
Funds raised are used for:
- GPS-satellite studies on the rare Solitary Eagle
- Outreach to communities about the benefits of raptors
- Educational materials including posters, information
- pamphlets and guides
- Supporting internships
- Supporting the Belize Raptor Watch Program
- Research on the enigmatic Hook-billed Kite
- Protection of habitat for raptors and biodiversity
The BELIZE AG REPORT