Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Feelgood news of the day.  The University of Belize Library had a Summer reading program.  Is that a jaguar that came to talk with the kids?

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."

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."

Rio On Pools is one of the most beautiful spots in Belize, in Mountain Pine Ridge, one of Cayo's nicest national parks.  Joe Awe wrote about how Rio On Pools were volcanically formed, and how the meteor that hit off the Yucatan coast caused them. If you're on his site, you can also read about why the Maya represent the sun at night with a jaguar.

"Landmasses at one time were under the sea and at other times above the tide.  There is geological evidence that Belize was covered by water at least three times in its history.  The evidence of that is the remains of crustaceans deposits – calcium carbonate (limestone), the soil type which according to geologists, colonises sixty five percent of Belize’s land mass."

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!"

The Cayo Tour Guide Association has a great article out about their interview with Pedro Cruz, who painted the San Ignacio Town mural in front of the police station.  27 gallons of paint is what the amazing mural took.  Thanks, Mr. Cruz!

"On Sunday, I had the opportunity of taking a close-up view of Mr. Pedro Cruz’s mural.  It is an amazing art piece which features a collage of historical and wildlife images.  It was painted over the welcome sign in San Ignacio.  It has images of Cahal Pech, maya masks, and hieroglyphs, as well as wild animals found in the Belizean forests, such as the toucan, tapir, and jaguar.  Also depicted are iconic historical and patriotic images like the Belizean Flag, the classic 21 September 1981 emblem and the chicle farmers life.  It’s not only a mural; it is an experience, something that all Belizeans should see."

Here's a nice Eco Kid essay from Lillian Aguirre, who really captures the essence of what it means to be and Eco Kid.  She's going to love her time learning about nature at Chaa Creek.

"I want to be an eco-kid because I love nature and would like to help to protect the rainforest.  When I visit the rainforest, the shade from the canopy of tree refreshes me.  The smell of green trees relaxes me and the singing of the birds inspires me.  I hope and pray that I might find and fallow a jaguar’s paw prints on a trail or I may look up high above and see an owl staring at me.  If I am lucky I hope to see soldier ants carrying leave to build their homes wild pigs grunting by howler monkeys hanging on trees branches like thunder."

There are a couple of birthdays at the Belize Zoo this week, and some Cayo students got to go and celebrate the occasion.

"The Belize Zoo recently celebrated two important milestones, with a fantastic “Predator Party” for Junior Buddy the Jaguar’s sixth birthday and Panama the Harpy Eagle’s tenth birthday.  To mark the occasions, zoo officials invited children from La Democracia Pre-School and the Infant Two class from the Howard Smith School in Benque Viejo del Carman to join in the celebration and learn more about the contribution of these apex predators to the health of the forest."