As we stepped out of the boat into
three-foot deep crystal clear water, we began to quietly wade through the
water, approaching the six acre mangrove caye known as Cayo Rosario.
Stepping onto the caye covered with a blanket of mangrove prop roots, we
gingerly tiptoed around the perimeter, ducking under branches and trying
our best to watch where our feet were landing. Above us was a canopy of
mangrove and palms, housing such birds as the magnificent frigate bird,
great blue heron, and reddish egret. As we made our way through a screen
of branches and vines, we made our first discovery: two mounds of
crumpled gray feathers, barely recognizable as dead cormorants. Then,
around the corner, we saw another pile of feathers, but this time the
feathers were pink-a dead roseate spoonbill, one of the most endangered
bird species of the Caribbean.
Thus began the excursion that Green Reef made with
members of the Ministry of Natural Resources last week to cayes located
on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye. In the past year, Green Reef
submitted a proposal to expand the existing bird sanctuaries of Little
Guana and Los Salones to include sixteen adjacent cayes (including Cayo
Rosario) and wetlands; all of which are critical bird nesting and feeding
habitats. The purpose of this recent trip was to better inform Natural
Resources of the project since the expansion of the sanctuary hinges upon
the approval of the Ministry. In addition, only two weeks ago, Green Reef
received reports of alleged bird-hunting occurring on Cayo Rosario, so we
took this opportunity to investigate the reports.
It's difficult to know exactly how the aforementioned
birds were killed, but it is common knowledge that hunting on the leeward
cayes still occurs. There is a history of birds hunted for their meat and
unfortunately, the more endangered species, such as the spoonbill or
reddish egret, are most commonly chosen.
Bird hunting may seem like the most immediate danger
to the birds, but in actuality, it is development of the cayes and
surrounding wetlands that poses the greatest threat. Along the leeward
coast of Ambergris Caye, land is currently being surveyed and plans for
housing developments are underway. This area includes wetlands, lagoons,
and littoral forest, all considered
to be primary feeding grounds for many of the bird species found on and
around Ambergris Caye. Green Reef is not opposed to development in this
area, but we believe there are ways of maintaining the habitat so that
both humans and wildlife can benefit. One residence that we visited along
the leeward side provided an excellent example of sustainable
development, leaving most of the natural mangrove and littoral forest
intact. Within only a few minutes of walking around this residence, more
than ten bird species were identified. Green Reef is currently lobbying
the Ministry of Natural Resources to expedite the process of approving
the expansion so that better management and protection of the cayes can
be enforced. When the expansion is passed, we plan to make the cayes more
accessible to bird watchers and researchers, as well as encourage
sustainable development of the surrounding coastal wetlands and littoral
forest of Ambergris Caye.
If you have a topic you would like
featured in Reef Brief, write [email protected], or visit our web-site at
www.ambergriscaye.com/greenreef
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