Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team is trying to raise money to help save the Scarlet Macaws in the Chiquibul National Park.  Check out their crowdfunding page, and help them if you can. 

"Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team is a small but dedicated group of Belizeans working to save the last remaining Scarlet Macaws in the remote Maya Mountains of Belize.  Help us raise money for a long-range radio communication system which will enable the team to quickly and effectively communicate in cases of medical emergencies and poacher activity in these remote areas.  This radio system will include a base radio, car battery, extendable antenna, programming, and hand held units for the field crew."

Feelgood news of the day.  The BWRC teamed up with Scarlet Six and FCD to go check on the Scarlet Macaws in the Chiquibul Forest.  Dr. Isabelle Pacquet Durand gives a wonderful account of the trip to do some check ups.

"Muddy holidays with grey skies in Belize aside... 2013 has been an incredible year!  One blog could not summarize it.  So, as done in many regards during this year, I shall focus on individual, positive activities.  The world seems full of bad news and negativity and I believe this rarely leads to positive outcomes.  I prefer positive news, in order to hopefully inspire more of you to join in and to help one of the many individuals and organizations protecting nature, and wildlife, and ultimately your own existence."

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic has been keeping their interns busy lately with a huge influx of wildlife, most of which are babies.  Thanks, BWRC, for the huge amount of work you're doing to keep Belize wild.

"Wow, 9 rescued wild animals in 7 days mark a new record intake for us (the first 10 months we received on average one animal every 3 days, this week we surpassed one animal per day) and shows us that baby season is upon us (and that more people know about us...).  Thanks to our lovely new crew for jumping in and taking care of the babies!"

In related news, they've also been doing more Scarlet Macaw check-ups in the Chiquibul.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.519837471396927.1073741843.389169111130431

Belize was listed first on the list of Best Wildlife Travel Adventures.  Of course, due to Cayo, where the wildlife is.  The picture is of the Twin Falls, taken from La Capitana pontoon boat on Lake Benque.

"Located on the northeastern coast of Central America, Belize is brimming with unique and exciting wildlife.  There are approximately 145 species of mammals, 139 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 500 species of birds that call the Latin American country home.  Belize contains remarkable protected parks and coastal cays abundant with indigenous wildlife.  To see some of Belize’s rarest animals, such as Baird’s tapirs and scarlet macaws, a tour guide is required, but many exotic animals can be spotted all around the tropical paradise.  Swim with sharks and stingrays in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, and make sure to visit the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, which is recognized internationally as the world’s first jaguar preserve."

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic teamed up with the Scarlet Macaw researchers and FCD to do some Scarlet Macaw health checks in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve.  Daniel Velazquez was there with camera in hand to get film for the documentary, and catch some great moments.  Looks like they had some serious climbing to do.

"An amazing and inspiring trip, for which the "real" pics will follow (sorry).  We had several professionals documenting and hope to share some of their images soon.  But suffice to say that Roni Martinez, Charles Britt, Friends for Conservation and Development and the 8 Rangers on the ground in Chiquibul are doing an incredible job to protect the Scarlet Macaw from extinction!  Myself and BWRC and many others will do what we can to support the efforts."

The blog for the project is here: http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/

Great article on Cayo with mentions of Mountain Pine Ridge Mayan ruins, Caracol, and even raptors, scarlet macaws, and jaguars.  Some of the pictures featured are from Roni Martinez, Blancaneaux Lodge's conservation officer.

"From Rio Frio Caves, we drive through winding roads toward Caracol, the largest archeological site in Belize, watching the outside scenery dramatically shift from pine ridge habitat to moist, leafy rainforest.  Sitting shotgun, our insightful guide Jorge tells me to keep my eyes peeled for a jaguar or a Tata Duende, the elf-like forest spirit with no thumbs and backwards feet.  Legend has it that this mischievous mythological creature takes small children in the forest where he steals their thumbs.  I'll hold onto my mine . . . for now...  

Carcaol's Caana (Sky Place) temple stands at 14 floors.  We climb the massive stone temple with almost obliged reverence (due to the size of the steps) and find at the top sweeping blue skies and a sea of emerald forest.  It's an exhilarating workout."

The Scarlet Six have been in the Chiquibul to check up on some of the scarlet macaws.  Cuteness follows.

"The S6 Crew came out today after two weeks of monitoring in the depths of the Chiquibul.  Good and bad news.  BAD first - One chick which is the furthest out of our protection grid was poached.  GOOD - Two chicks at Scarlet Creek are almost ready to fledge, these would be the first for the season, while another two fully developed, follow close behind."

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic crew practiced with the tree climbing equipment in order to prepare for the climb up to the nests of some of their 'patients.'  The BWRC works with Scarlet 6, and monitors and does check ups on Scarlet Macaws, which can have nests located high up.  Looks like they had fun during their practice.

"There is rarely time for boredom at BWRC.  But thanks to our friends Charles Britt and Kristi Drexler the entire staff and intern crew (including even Dr. I, only missing Dr. Z who joined the students at CBS and the Belize Zoo VIP tour) had an awesome morning practicing with tree climbing equipment!  We will go wherever we need to go to come to the rescue, thanks to our friends, staff and other supporters.  More pictures to follow later..."

Feelgood news of the day.  BAPDA visitied the Belize Zoo to celebrate the International Day for People with Disabilities.  The Belize Zoo is the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to people with disabilities. 

"Yesterday, the Zoo was honoured to host a group from the Belize Assembly for People with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) for a day of fun, learning and recreation.  As TBZ has become the first accessible nature destination in Belize, our friends from BAPDA decided to best way to celebrate International Day for People with Disabilities was by getting up close and personal with the wonderful wildlife of our country.  Rose the baby crocodile, Lucky Boy the black jaguar, and Charlie the Scarlet Macaw were just a few of our many "meet and greet" ambassadors our guests got to interact with.  Paws Up to the folks at BAPDA, and to all people living with disabilities!"

Tony Rath uploaded some more great pictures from the trip the Scarlet Six Biomonitoring team took through the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. 

http://scarlet-macaws.blogspot.com/

"This final Album from the Chiquibul documents the process these dedicated researchers go through to safe guard and learn about the scarlet macaws nesting in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, Belize."

Tony Rath got some amazing pictures of the Scarlet Macaws, and many other birds, when he joined the FCD and the Scarlet Macaw researchers as they performed health checks last month.  Beautiful shots.

Here are more:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151634708155792.1073741829.8962520791

Great article about staying in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve for a few nights, and the sights that were seen along the way.  With the Friends of Conservation and Development, who patrol the Chiquibul, they started at Caracol, and went exploring from there.  And yes, they did see illegal loggers.

"As dusk descends, birds that dominated the songscape concede the night to the crepuscular choir of crickets.  It takes a while to adjust to the sounds of jungle nightlife; sleep is slow in coming; only patches of starlight are visible through the forest canopy like glinting terrestrial oases.  Somewhere nearby an animal - perhaps a gibnut - crashes through the understory as noisily and clumsily as a human.  Even before it is light, the diminuendo of the chirping, signals the breaking of dawn.  The laws of the jungle are at work.  When birds emerge, insects retreat mutely into the shadows.  The troik troik troik of the keel-billed toucan is uncannily froglike. But even from the distance of the canopy there is no mistaking the exaggerated bill and the retracting of its wings as it glides.  The guttural growls of invisible troupes of howler monkeys echo through the trees.  The hysterical, scandal-mongering piam-piam gives away our presence on the forest floor, but not before a pair of sleek-bodied scarlet macaws cruises into view."