Wildlife Odyssey: Exploring Belize’s Biodiversity

Tropical paradise nestled in Central America between Mexico, Guatemala, the Caribbean Sea, and Honduras. Once a British colony with English being an official language, is now a beacon of hope for the preservation of the planet`s most cherished species. This article explores Belize wildlife hidden gems where jaguars prowl in the rainforest, colorful birds like macaws dance in the skies and coral gardens wait to be discovered under the crystal-clear waters.

Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center

29 miles away from the Belize City near the village of La Democarcia. Altogether it is 29 acres of tropical savanna with many native animals. Its main aim is to create environments and conditions for the animals and promote the conservation of unique biodiversity. Educating visitors and the public in general is another key point of its mission. Unlike many Zoo around the world, here you ain`t going to find imported ones. It serves more as a shelter for injured or orphaned animals. The goal is to release them back into the wilderness when they get better.

Visitors can take a tour and come up and close with the animals, or attend some of its workshops or lectures.

The Zoo supports conservation initiatives like breeding programs for endangered species, community outreach, or research projects.

The animals you can encounter inside are Tapir, Ocelot, Margay, Coatimundi, Harpy Eagle, and Puma. You can adopt an animal for a year directly from the Zoo website.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the south of Belize. Established in 1986. It is considered to be the first jaguar preserve in the world. A renowned wildlife biologist Dr. Alan Rabinowitz is one of the people who is closely related and connected to the origins of the place.

Nowadays the place covers 150 000 acres with a diverse range of ecosystems – from pine forests to tropical rainforests. It opens daily from 8 am to 5 pm.

You can expect to see jaguars, pumas, tapirs, and peccaries. You can go hiking and trekking and choose some popular trails like Ben`s Bluff and Tiger Fern. Bird lovers can get thrilled over 300 species of flying creatures that inhabit the area, for example, parrots, scarlet macaws, and toucans. The sanctuary has also some rivers so anyone who likes watersports can spend time kayaking, tubing, or just swimming.

The place also offers accommodation. From basic tents in campsites to cabins to satisfy the diverse needs of the visitors.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

The history of the place dates back to the early 1980s. Local communities created efforts to protect the wetlands and the diverse wildlife. Belizean government together with the Belize Audubon Society joined together and worked to form the sanctuary in 1984 as we know it today.

The sanctuary spreads over 16,400 acres. It is also a Ramsar site – a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is some sort of environmental treaty established by UNESCO in 1971 in Iran`s city of Ramsar.

The place is a haven for bird lovers. You will find over 300 species including Northern jacana, jabiru stork, or roseate spoonbill. The ideal season for birdwatching is from December to May. March and April is the peak migration season when thousands of waterfowl fly over the place. You can take a birdwatching tour with locals or a boat tour. It is also possible to encounter turtles, iguanas, or crocodiles.

If you want to delve deeper into local culture, you can become part of the Creole culture in nearby Crooked Tree Village.

Lamanai Archaeological Reserve

Lamanai in translation means “submerged crocodile” and it is supposed to reflect the location along the New River Lagoon. The history of the place dates back to 1500 BC when it was occupied by Mayan people.

The site is filled with preserved ruins and lush tropical parts with monkeys, toucans, and various birds. Archeological research is ongoing, and restoration and conservation works are active. Archeological marvels include the High Temple, the Mask Temple, and the Jaguar Temple.

You can take a guided tour and engage with locals which will give you better insight and context. Besides ruins or an on-site museum, you can explore the river and book a boat tour, or try hiking in the jungle. The place is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.

Belize Barrier Reef

The history of the place started over thousands of years ago. The formation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System became a crucial part of the system. Today it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Some of the activities you can enjoy include snorkeling and diving and the renowned diving place the Great Blue Hole. You can find the hole within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

Encounters with marine life will take you to sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, whale sharks (during certain seasons), and a variety of coral species.

Atolls and Cays like Turneffe or Ambergris can be excellent places for water activities or just calm and peaceful retreats where you can take some rest.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

Thousand years ago the place belonged to the Maya civilization. The ATM can be translated as the “Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre”. There used to be religious ceremonies and rituals with sacrifices.

Today the cave belongs to UNESCO World Heritage. You can expect to explore the underground passages and adore stalactites, stalagmites, ancient artifacts, or pottery. There are several chambers that Mayan people used for their ceremonies. Visitors can observe ceremonial tools like obsidian blades, vessels, or even crystallized remains of human sacrifices. For example “Crystal Maiden” is a skeletal remains of a young woman.

The cave is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. You can go inside only with a licensed guide.

Community Baboon Sanctuary

The place as the name suggests dedicates all its activities to the black howler monkeys known as “baboons”. In 1980 a group of villages noticed the declining population of this species and started initiatives to save them.

Thanks efforts of many people including a primatologist Dr. Robert Horwich, the sanctuary was established in 1985 but only in 1998 it become a protected area.

You can book a community tour and explore the villages within like Bermudian Landing and gain a better understanding of the local traditions and lifestyle.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

The history of the place can be traced back to the colonial era. During the British rule lost much of the pine forest. Later in 1940 the reforestation efforts and in 1944 the reserve was officially opened.

It covers around 300 square kilometers in central Belize with many remarkable pine forests, tropical foliage, limestone formations, and waterfalls like Hidden Valley Falls, or Rio On Pools.

Outdoor sports enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, zip-lining, horseback riding, or rock climbing, exploring caves like Rio Frio Cave, Barton Greek, or bathing in nearby hot springs.

Also Maya Ruins, in concrete the archeological site of Caracol, attract many visitors – the place is one of the largest Maya cities in the region.

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