Amandala
Canadian-American lovers strangled to death
The gruesome double murder of a United States Marine Corps (USMC) veteran and his lover, a Canadian estate investor, which occurred on Belizean soil, has sent shock waves through the international community.
American Drew DeVoursey, 36, and Canadian Francesca Matus, 52, were last seen alive on the night of April 25 at Scotty's Bar and Grill in Corozal Town.
Colin McGowan, the owner of that establishment, confirmed to Amandala that the couple had visited his bar so that Matus could say goodbye to her friends.
She was scheduled to return to her two children in Ontario on Wednesday, April 26. DeVoursey, her boyfriend of six months, was scheduled to return to Georgia on May 5.
Female corpse found inside burnt vehicle
At about 2:30 Tuesday morning, police made a horrendous discovery after putting out a fire that totally destroyed a KIA Sportage belonging to Pamela Lino, a teacher of the Belmopan Baptist School. Police found the charred corpse of a female person on the back seat.
It is suspected that the remains belong to the well-liked Information Technology teacher of Belmopan Baptist High School, who, reports indicate, had been missing since Sunday, but no missing person report to police had been made for her before the remains were found on Tuesday.
To date, 4 days later, her whereabouts remain unknown. The principal of Belmopan Baptist High School, Jerry Roberts, said that it was out of character for Pamela Lino to not be present for classes, because she was a committed teacher. She had not attended school on Tuesday and Wednesday despite the fact that police, and her friends and relatives, were trying to contact her.
Belizean stabbed to death in Chetumal
Saul Pech, a Belizean national from Yo Creek and popular drummer in his early twenties, who was enrolled at the Instituto Tecnol�gico de Chetumal (ITCH), was stabbed multiple times last night on the verandah outside his apartment in Chetumal.
According to our sources, he was drinking with his cousin, Romario Pech, an anthropology student at Galen University, and another man when a heated argument ensued, and Pech was stabbed with a kitchen knife.
Pech was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was certified dead.
Our sources in Chetumal revealed that following the incident, his cousin was detained by Mexican authorities pending investigations.
Charge Magistrate Rodriguez with rape, says DPP to police
Yesterday, Amandala asked Senior Superintendent of Police Ralph Moody, the Southern Formation Regional Commander, for an update into the police's investigation of a report made by a 27-year-old woman that she was raped by Magistrate Norman Rodriguez when she visited him at his home on the morning of April 11.
Superintendent Moody told Amandala that "something will happen this week."
Today, Thursday, Superintendent Moody confirmed that the directive to arrest and charge Magistrate Rodriguez with rape was given by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
We asked Moody if an All Points Bulletin (APB) will be issued for the magistrate, who is presently out of the country.
Banker charged with manslaughter by negligence and other traffic-related offences
The court "slammed the brakes" on the efforts of a young bank employee to learn to drive his late-model Mitsubishi Endeavor 2007 SUV, because he was involved in a road traffic accident that resulted in one fatality and injuries to several persons last Monday, May 1.
Darrel Jackson, 23, and his attorney, Dickie Bradley, appeared in the # 8 Magistrate's Court, located on North Front Street, before Magistrate Stephanie Gillett, who read to Jackson, charges of manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct for the death of 7-month-old Esmay Ferguson, driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention and driving a motor vehicle in contravention of the Learner's Permit.
Next batter up - former Immigration Minister, Elvin Penner!
The Senate Select Committee continued its hearing into the Auditor General's Special Audit with a focus on Won Hong Kim, the South Korean criminal who received a Belizean nationality certificate and passport while in a Taiwanese prison.
Several witnesses have told the committee that they saw a man, in a suit, at the Immigration Department, presumed to be Kim, present at the time of the application for his passport.
However, the committee has not been inclined to believe that account because the records show that Kim never set foot in Belize.
Instead, the committee has supported the Auditor General's view that a photo of Kim's photo was taken during the application.
NEBL "In the Paint"
George Williams, the NEBL's 2017 Most Valuable Player, had 20 points and 5 assists, on 4-of-8 shooting from the field, and the San Pedro Tiger Sharks made 11 3-pointers to beat the Cayo Western Ballaz, 82-78, last Saturday at home, to take a 1-0 lead in their semifinal matchup.
Raul Roches added 19 pts 7 rebs 2 assts, while Doug Valley finished with 15 pts, hitting on 3-of-6 from downtown.
The Tiger Sharks were more energetic at the outset, jumping out to a 26-17 lead, and at one point led by as many as 20 points in third-quarter play, 69-49. But the visitors rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Sharks, 27-13, and pulling within one point to tie, 79-78, with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. But clutch free-throws, two by Ashton Edwards and one by George Williams late in the game, sealed the victory for the home-town Tiger Sharks, as they take game one of the three-game series.
Cricket Corner - Games getting hotter!
Hello to all cricket players, fans and supporters!
Before getting into specifics of the games, I take this opportunity to congratulate our son, Emory Xamicha Young, on winning first place in the first Border Treaty Song Competition, held in P.G. over the weekend. He travelled all the way from Ontario (Cayo) to Punta Gorda to compete. My wife and the entire family are proud of his success. We say, "Well done, son!" Apart from a trophy, he was also given a cash award. The title of the song is, "Wi Border Define."
Now, into cricket. Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association thanks to the kind sponsorship of Bowen and Bowen, the Harrison Parks 2017 National Cricket Competition continued with a few games played that were very exciting.
Playoffs near in National Amateur Women's League
Only a couple weeks remain before playoffs, as Week 6 games were played over the weekend in the National Amateur Women's League 2017 football tournament. Two games were played on Saturday, April 29, and 1 on Sunday, April 30.
On Saturday at the FFB Stadium, the capital city's Jewel Fury crushed Griga Smart Pumas, 10-1, behind goals from Iris Centeno (12', 36', 45' & 60'), Jayda Brown (49', 75' & 89'), Beatriz Alfaro (77'), Delmi Cornelio (85') and Ashley Rodriguez (90+'); while Pumas' lone goal was from a penalty by Ethel Martinez (889' PK). Meanwhile, at the Santa Elena Sporting Complex, the visiting Belize City FC came from behind to clip home standing Gentle Touch, 2-1, with a goal each from Cynthia Salazar (53') and Shanell Gentle (73'), after Vicky Ponce (35') had given Gentle Touch the first half lead.
Tepich and Tihosuco 1847
The alliance between the United Black Association for Development (UBAD) and the People's Action Committee (PAC) which was forged in October of 1969, was a failure. (The two organizations separated in January of 1970.) UBAD had begun publishing Amandala in August of 1969, while PAC was publishing Fire, so when the two organizations united to form the Revolitical Action Movement (RAM), they called their joint newspaper, Amandala with Fire.
On December 8 of 1969, there was a general election held in Belize in which the ruling People's United Party (PUP) won 17 seats, while the Opposition National Independence Party(NIP)/People's Development Movement (PDM) won just one - the Albert seat was defended by NIP Leader, Hon. Philip Goldson. Dean Lindo had broken away from the NIP to establish the PDM in October of 1969, so that when Premier George Price announced a general election in early November, several months before that election was due, the NIP and the PDM formed a hasty coalition. The two Opposition parties, immediately after the general election, separated.
From The Publisher
At a certain point, most of us from the oppressed peoples in Third World countries realize that we have to make certain individual compromise decisions in order to do the best we can for our families. Some of us make such compromise decisions very early in life. We become focused on achieving for self; we ignore kind, we even disparage kind. Other of us fight the power, as it is said, for a while, because we seriously love our own people. We have the hope that we can make it individually without exploiting or harming our own people. But, as I said in the first sentence of this essay, most of us in oppressed societies end up realizing that we can't save others: we need to try to save self.
In my personal mind, this is how I define oppression. It is a condition in which one has to sacrifice others, if only symbolically, in order to achieve for self. Let's look at an example of a brother or sister who reaches the boardrooms, where the big decisions are made by public and private companies. Such a brother or sister cannot develop a reputation for being too concerned about the consumers, or the people as such, because his or her financial and career welfare depend on professed, total loyalty to the company, and the maximum profits thereof.
In favor of vaccines
Dear Sir,
George and Candy Gonzalez make all sorts of misleading statements in their letter last week (Fri 28th). It would take a very long time to address each point, but let me reply to a few. First, whilst acknowledging the fact that any medical intervention has risks, the science is clear: vaccines are safe and effective, and adverse side effects are rare. In fact, and more importantly, NOT vaccinating your child has more risk!
Secondly, though there are more vaccinations than ever before, today's vaccines are far more efficient. Small children are actually exposed to fewer immunologic components overall than children in past decades.
Thirdly, the type of mercury found in thimerosal, ethylmercury, differs from methylmercury, the type commonly found in fish and known to be harmful in large amounts. Ethylmercury, is broken down and excreted from the body much more quickly than methylmercury, and no scientific study has found a link between ethylmercury and autism or any other harmful effects. With respect to formaldehyde, research shows there is 50 to 70 times more formaldehyde present in an average newborn's body than in a single dose of vaccine. In brief, current science shows formaldehyde in vaccines to be harmless.
Hector Zapata replies to Wellington C. Ramos
Dear Editor,
I would like to have an opportunity to have a published reply to this letter that bears my name - "Dear Mr. Hector Zapata and my Garifuna people," by Wellington C. Ramos.
Professor Ramos,
Yurumein was a nation of Garifuna people. There was no need to think of one when one already existed. That was conceptualized prior to the birth of Right Honorable Chief Chatoyer and his contemporaries like Duvalle, Walumugu, Toussaint, Nanton, and Jean Baptiste. The goal, then, was the maintenance of the existing autonomy and sovereignty. As a political scientist, I am shocked that you do not see this distinction between an idea and manifest reality.
This struggle to maintain our homeland occurred as a response to European expansionism. Initially, the Spaniards, subsequently the French and the British. In particular, the 1763 Treaty of Paris gave the Europeans the "legal" authority to seek the imposition of their will.
Phenomenal woman - Althea Sealy
On a warm and humid September evening in 1976 as Belizeans lined Albert Street in downtown Belize City to watch the citizens' parade, the crowd excitement visibly grew and people surged forward to get a glimpse of the approaching marching band - the legendary Minorettes. But the main attraction was one of the band's lead dancers who evoked the image of an enchanting and beautiful Nubian goddess. Like a statuette made of gold and bronze she took command of her elements and danced with a poise and grace that was punctuated with bursts of creative synergy and improvisation that captivated her audience. Unbeknown to them, Belizeans were witnessing the rise of one of their own daughters, the phenomenal ballerina Althea Sealy.
Althea Sealy's astonishing rise to becoming arguably Belize's greatest ballerina of the modern era is a journey permeated by a culture that was once organic, vibrant, innocent and bobbling with great possibilities. She, like her male contemporaries, grew up at a time when children had options to join a different kind of "gang". They had access to flourishing community based institutions that would build and shape character, self-confidence, discipline and enriched their collective imagination. Institutions such as the Girl Guides, Brownies, musical marching bands, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venture Scouts, Brigade Band, Sea Scouts, creative dance clubs, cadets and drama clubs. Even the Mechanic and Masonic Lodges in Belize had vibrant children and youth leagues. In addition, the Belizean sporting world was experiencing its renaissance.
Security guard remanded for Lords Bank murder of student
Timothy Thurton, a security guard and Ladyville resident, appeared in the Magistrate's Court this morning, but it was not until the afternoon session of the court that the man accused of Ladyville's third murder for the year was taken before a magistrate.
Thurton, 28, appeared before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza, who read a single charge of murder to him, "for causing the unlawful death of Brandon Bradley, 17, on April 26, in Lords Bank, Ladyville, in the Belize Judicial District."
The court cannot offer bail to persons charged with murder, and therefore, Thurton was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court date on August 2.
US aircraft lost wheel on takeoff in Belize, makes "dramatic" landing in Florida
Two pilots and two passengers who departed Belize at about 1:05 p.m. local time on Friday, April 28, landed safely in Sarasota, Florida, after the plane lost its left main gear wheel on take-off in Belize.
Nigel Carter, Chief Operations Officer at the Belize Civil Aviation Department, told Amandala that there were 4 US nationals, 3 males and 1 female, on the non-commercial flight, which could have been for leisure or business.
Belizean authorities contacted relevant authorities in the US to inform them that the plane, which was out of Belize's airspace within 15 to 20 minutes, had lost a wheel.
Carter said that the missing wheel was later found on the airport premises, off one of the sides of the runway. He told us that they will be working with the US in the event they wish to be provided with all the relevant information.
Senator Aldo Salazar "off track" in criticizing the media instead of fellow senator, Pastor Ashley Rocke
It is indeed a case of irony that on the same day that the world officially celebrated "World Press Freedom Day," the Belizean media would be the recipient of a tongue-lashing from the chairman of the Senate Select Committee, Senator Aldo Salazar.
Today, Salazar turned his attention to the media even before the Senate inquiry into the scandals at the Immigration Department commenced.
The source of his indignation was a photo gone viral off the laptop of Senator Pastor Ashley Rocke, which had an open screen of Facebook instead of a soft copy of the Auditor General's Special Audit, as was seen on the laptops of his colleagues.
3-year-old dies tragically in vehicle accident
Eulalio Babb, 33, has served as a traffic officer attached to the Orange Walk Town Council for the last three years.
However, nothing could have prepared him for a fatal road traffic accident that occurred this morning in his jurisdiction while he was off duty.
According to police reports, sometime around 8 a.m., Babb was driving his motorcycle on Liberty Avenue when a red Bowen and Bowen truck, driven by Irvin Leal, 24, made a left turn and collided with his motorcycle in front of 123 Supermarket.
The collision flung Babb and his 3-year-old daughter, Lindsey Babb, from the motorcycle and onto the hot pavement.
The Reporter
Police investigate latest murder
Police have one person detained and are seeking another for questioning in connection with the shooting death of 19-year-old Michael Bonilla on Elston Kerr Street last night. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Alejandro Cowo, explained that police have not established a motive, but have ruled out [�]
Health officers certified in field epidemiology
The Ministry of Health (MOH) held a graduation ceremony today, for 19 of its staff that completed various levels of a special training course on field epidemiology. The Council of Ministers of Health of Central America (COMISCA) sponsored the training, which was geared towards equipping [�]
New members for California JP Association
Several persons were sworn in as Justices of the Peace for the California Chapter of the Belize Association of Justices of the Peace this past weekend. The association held the official ceremony, which began with a complementary breakfast,� on Saturday, April 29. Apart from getting […]
Penner – the next witness at Senate Inquiry
Former Minister of State for Immigration, Elvin Penner, is scheduled to be the next witness to testify before the Senate Special Select Committee. The Committee's public hearings into the Auditor General's Special Audit Report of the Immigration and Nationality Department continue on Wednesday May 10, […]
Free medical care for San Ignacio
The Beyond the Horizon 2017 project, a collaborative effort between the government of Belize and the United States Army, is hosting free medical clinics for two weeks in San Ignacio. The clinics will be held at the Macal River Park from May 8-16, where United […]
Rape charge for Magistrate
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, has directed the police to levy a charge of rape against a magistrate assigned to the south. The investigation against him started when the alleged victim made the report around mid-April.� The file was forwarded to the […]
Prime suspect in double murder to be charged with theft
The prime suspect in the double murder of Canadian real estate agent, Francesca Matus, 52, and her American boyfriend, Drew DeVoursney, 36, both residents of Corozal, will be charged on Friday but for another crime in the southern jurisdiction. The suspect, whose name will be […]
Infant girl crushed by Bowen & Bowen delivery truck
A 3-year-old baby girl died after being crushed by a Bowen and Bowen delivery truck early Tuesday morning in Orange Walk Town. The accident occurred on Liberty Avenue, at 8:15 a.m. on May 2 and claimed the life of Lindsey Babb, who was on her […]
Two minors drown over weekend
Two young persons drowned over the Labour day weekend, within close proximity of the Agriculture Show Grounds where tens of thousands of people attended, including the two victims. The drownings occurred on Sunday afternoon – the first of which claimed the life […]
Belize gets new equipment to detect weapons of mass destruction
The United States Embassy, in an effort to detect and identify radiological sources and combat the trans-shipment of weapons of mass destruction between countries, handed over a variety of equipment to the Customs and Police departments. The handing over ceremony took place at the Customs […]
CEO Blanco lawyered up following 1 month suspension
The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Corozal Free Zone has hired an attorney and fired back at Gregory Gibson, Chairman of the Corozal Free Zone, for placing him on a one month suspension. Valentino Blanco, who was recently appointed to his CEO post […]
BTL getting upgrades, says new CEO
Belize Telemedia Limited's (BTL) new Chief Executive Officer, Rochus Schreiber, said this week that the company, under his leadership, will be making strides towards upgrading its infrastructure and improving customer access to the internet. Schreiber held a press conference on Wednesday, at the company's St. Thomas street […]
Caribbean’s Kick ‘Em Jenny volcano kicking up
The Caribbean’s underwater volcano named “Kick ‘Em Jenny” has had several eruptions since Saturday, prompting the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) to closely monitor it for any potential threat of a tsunami. The Centre reported that the […]
Editorial
The murder of a Canadian woman and an American man in Corozal� last week has the potential to severely damage Belize's tourism image. We are sure that the Police are doing their best to catch the killer, but they should not hesitate to ask for help if they need […]
Calm in Belize City streets shattered
The sense of calm that has eased upon Belize City for the past few weeks has been shattered following the latest murder on� the south side Thursday night. Shortly after 9:00 p.m on Thursday, a young man, identified as Michael Bonilla, was riding a bicycle […]
PM hinting early retirement?
Prime Minister Dean Barrow's address at the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Annual General Meeting has many speculating that he may be going into early retirement. "Since this will be my last opportunity to address your annual gathering, I close by saying how thankful […]
Missing Belmopan teacher feared dead
Concern is mounting for Pamela Lino as friends and family seek answers after her Kia Sportage was involved in a highspeed chase on the George Price Highway early Tuesday morning. The car� was later found burnt with a charred human body in the back seat, […]
Belizean kills cousin in Chetumal
A 19-year-old Yo Creek resident, Saul Pech, was stabbed to death, allegedly by his own cousin in Chetumal, Mexico during the early hours of Thursday morning, after the two reportedly got involved in a drunken brawl. Pech was reportedly socializing with a group of friends […]
Breaking Belize News
PM Barrow hints early retirement
At the 97th Annual General Meeting of the Belize Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 27, Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow gave a speech much like his farewell speech.
At the end of his address to the business community, Barrow stated that it is his last opportunity to address the AGM.
Car sale turned armed robbery
On Wednesday, May 3 a trio from Corozal reported to police that around 4:00 p.m., they were in Ranchito village doing a vehicle transaction when they were held up.
Emil Javier Rosado, 23, of Ranchito Village; Eder Stevenson Hall, 26, of Ramirez Layout; and Eliazar Hall, 31, of Chan Chen told police that they were carrying out a business transaction with Jeffery Gongora of Ranchito when three armed men stole $13,000, jewelry valued at $3,100, a Galaxy S6 Edge phone and a Gucci wallet valued at $600.
MOH staff complete epidemiology training
Thirteen members of the Ministry of Health gathered at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina today for a graduation ceremony from a field epidemiology training course sponsored by the the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America (COMISCA).
The training was geared towards enhancing the capacity of the officers, to be able to manage public health crises, such as the outbreak of an existing disease.
Belize's BETEX Trade Show Continues
Hundreds of tourism industry professionals gathered at the St. Catherine Academy Auditorium today for day two of the Belize Tourism Expo (BETEX), the largest tourism gathering on the country's calendar.
The bi-annual event serves as a platform for local tourism professionals such as hotel owners, and makers of cultural products, to meet with international buyers from various parts of the world including Europe, South America and the United States.
Awaken the Sleeping Giant
Resting on the ridges of the Maya Mountains in the Cayo District sleeps a giant. His facial profile and barrel chest are a portrait of his slumber, as he reigns over the vibrant green valleys below. As if cast under the spell of snoozing servitude, his domain and minions personify the tranquility of a dream, living in concert with the magical terrain.Within this Camelot rests the Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge. Nestled in an expanse of lush rainforest, the lodge appeals to travelers who want to be immersed in jungle surroundings while still enjoying the comforts of home. After hearing so much about this exceptional destination, we couldn't wait to experience this dreamy resort for ourselves. The lovely Amalia welcomes us to the open-air reception lounge, and after formalities, she leads us to their treetop restaurant where we are offered our choice of refreshing lemongrass iced tea or a cold Belikin beer.
My Summer Aspiration List: Slow Season Do's in Belize, Part One
Summer in Belize. The weather gets warmer, we start to have rain showers now and again (though mostly at night), tourism slows AND travel prices drop. It's also the time when people that live here generally have some time off to enjoy our island a bit more.
Though that tends to come hand in hand with less disposable cash, I am starting to compile a list of things that I REALLY want to do this summer. Let's call it my Belize Summer Aspiration List. (The term "bucket list" is getting a bit played out - so 2011.) And so far, it goes a little something like this:
San Estevan Mayan Site, Belize
San Estevan was settled in the Preclassic Period and reached its greatest occupation levels in the Late Classic Period.
Between the 1960s and the mid-1990s, much of San Estevan was mapped by archaeologists exploring the last incarnation of San Estevan as a Late Classic Period site.
However, the focus of archaeological research on San Estavan abruptly changed in the late 1990s when bulldozers mining for limestone destroyed most of the Late Classic Period structures at San Estevan.The San Estevan archaeological site is located in northern Belize 1 km from the modern community of San Estevan, Belize. The site is a Maya civilization site occupied during the Formative (800 BC - AD 300) and Classic (AD 300 - 900) eras of Mesoamerican chronology. San Estevan is located on the New River half way between the sites of Cerros and Lamanai. Beginning in the Late Formative period (300 BC - AD 300), San Estevan was a regional political center.
How to get to San Pedro Ambergris Caye, Belize: Why San Pedro Ambergris Caye is famous to visit
With a population of 12 400 people, "La Isla Bonita" is a destination whose main economic activities are tourism and fishing. The official language of Belize is English but, being mostly inhabited by mestizos, Spanish is also spoken.
The tourist activity is concentrated in 1.5 km of beach and in parallel has 4 streets of sand and unpaved. The houses are wood and zinc very Caribbean style and the main means of transport are golf carts, bicycles and scooters. If you are planning to visit the island we recommend you to bring comfortable and fresh clothes (such as sandals, bathing suit, shorts and cotton t-shirts). San Pedro Island offers a wide variety of restaurants, souvenir shops, low-rise hotels and tours of the famous Blue Hole.
How to get
By sea: The only way to get to the island of San Pedro, Belize is by sea. In Chetumal, they can go to the esplanade of the flag and a few meters of distance pasted to the edge of the bay is the fiscal wharf, from which they can contract transport service to that island. Every day there is an exit at 3 pm with return the next day at 8 am. The price per person is $ 1540.00 MXN (round trip) and only valid passport is required to pass to the neighboring country.
5 Awesome Photos of Altun Ha
Have you ever been to the Mayan Temples of Altun Ha? Located just 31 miles north of Belize City, this site was once a wealthy ceremonial center and includes at least 500 visible structures or mounds. At its peak, the population of Altun Ha and surrounding areas ranged between 8,000 - 10,000 inhabitants, with around 3,000 living in the central core of the city.
The most imposing building at Altun Ha is Structure A-4 - the Temple of the Masonry Altars, rising some 54 feet about the plaza floor. The exploration of the interior of this structure, yielded one of the most remarkable finds at any Maya Site in the country - a 6 inch high, ten pound, solid jade carving of the head of the Maya Sun God "Kinich Ahau."
Here are 5 awesome photos of Altun Ha snapped over the weekend and as you can tell, it was a great time to capture this amazing site:
Top 5 Places for the Perfect Belize Honeymoon
After all the hard work and planning for your wedding, you deserve a luxurious honeymoon in paradise. Belize is a wonderland country of gorgeous tropical islands, pristine rain forests, exotic wildlife, and an abundance of adventure opportunities ideal for a truly unforgettable honeymoon.
Below are the top 5 places for the perfect Belize honeymoon:
The Belize Zoo
In accordance to its beliefs about protecting the animals and the environment, Belize has one of the most unique zoos on the planet. This beautiful zoo is located on 29 acres of pristine tropical savannah that has been left in its natural condition to enhance animal life.
The Belize Zoo contains 150 different animals. What is so unique about these animals is that they are all from Belize or Central America. All of the animals in the zoo lived in this area, were born or hatched in the zoo, or were injured in the wild and brought to the zoo for rehabilitation. There are not any animals in the zoo that are not native to this area, something that no other zoo can claim.
Animals that are injured and brought to the zoo are rehabilitated and released into the wild as soon as possible. Those whose injuries are too severe for them to be self-sufficient in the wild are given a home at the zoo permanently.
What is also so significant about this zoo is that the animals are not in cages or displays. These animals are left to live and interact with the other native animals in the zoo as if they were living in the wild. This creates a true "animal experience" for visitors and keeps the animals much happier and healthier.
International Sources
Venezuela to 'Vexit' the OAS, but where does CARICOM stand?
By Earl Bousquet.
The wider Caribbean finds itself slap dash in the middle of an unfolding situation that's already tearing apart the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and possibly the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), even as it unfolds. The English-speaking part of the region is being separated over Venezuela and CARICOM states are more deeply divided than ever over ties with Caracas, which has over the last 19 years built stronger ties with the entire Caribbean, but is now a prime target for externally-backed regime change.
Almost all CARICOM member states also belong to the PetroCaribe and the ALBA groupings and all have benefited in various ways from their membership. All six OECS member-states belong to both entities and recently reaffirmed their support for the regional integration objectives carved out in their aims and objective.
Suspect accused of killing Canadian woman and her American boyfriend in Belize was victim's 'best friend,' pal says
The fellow Canadian man in custody for the double murder of Francesca Matus and her American boyfriend was her "best friend," a pal of the suspected killer claims.
Authorities in Belize have named 54-year-old John Deshaies as the prime suspect after Matus and boyfriend Drew DeVoursney, a former Marine from Georgia, were found dead Monday in the Central American country.
However, a friend of Deshaies said police have the wrong man in custody and the Canadian construction company owner would never harm Matus.
Videos
Desde mi querido Belize para los Estados Unidos, 8min. From my beloved Belize to the United States
The Zenaida Moya Show, Episode 16, April 26th 2017 Featuring BTIA President & Executive Director, 60min.
BELIZE'S FOOTBALL GREATNESS: RUPERT "CANALAYTE" ANDERSON! (ENTIRE DOCUMENTARY)), 81min.
Guacamole Recipe, 8.5min.
Grace & You - St Vincent & the Grenadines, 16min.
The Mexican Embassy - Cinco De Mayo History, 19min.
Los Avispones Hustecos, 20min.
Belize NOW Episode 17, 32min. Belizean Journalist and Poet Talks Working in the Caribbean, Directorate of Foreign Trade Encourages Belizeans to Apply for CARICOM Skills Certificate and CARICOM Institutions Talk About Their Work in the Region. These stories and more on this week's edition of Belize Now. Thanks for joining us on this Friday, May 5th, 2017
Belize 2017, 7min. The result of spinning a globe and drunk decisions on valentines.
Kayaking off the coast of Ambergris Island near northern Belize, 4min. Bobby Liang kayaking. Raz phou filming with DJI Mavic drone. accompanied song is Christopher Cross' "sailing". just substitute the word "kayaking" for "sailing"!
Strong winds inland made it difficult to get far off the coast.
Belize 2016, 7min.
Climbing a Pyramid In Belize, 5min. This was a great experience to climb up to the top of this pyramid. The views were simply fantastic at the top.
Using a Handcranked Ferry in Belize, 2.5min. You know the road is an interesting one when you have to use a handcranked ferry.
First-ever performance of Disney's High School Musical Jr. at The George Price Centre, 1/2min. Yesterday, students from the Belmopan Comprehensive High School Drama Club under the guidance of teachers and representatives from PathLight International organized and carried out the first-ever performance of Disney's High School Musical Jr. at The George Price Centre for Peace and Development in Belmopan! PathLight International has been organizing this activity as part of a project funded by a U.S. Embassy CARSI Economic Support Fund grant. The project focuses on innovative training for secondary school teachers and providing after school and alternative activities to keep youth engaged. If you didn't catch the first performance, you're still in luck, as the second (and final) performance is scheduled for Tuesday, May 9th at 6:30 p.m. - once again at the George Price Center. Check out the video for a sneak preview. You really shouldn't miss it!