Saving manatees and monkeys in Belize

The past two months have been busy and productive at Wildtracks, with encouraging progress in wildlife rehabilitation, several successful releases back into the wild, and important developments in our wider conservation work.

Our Manatee Rehabilitation Programme has seen some particularly rewarding progress. Twix was lifted out of  the Lagoon Enclosure to fit his belt and tracker. This was with the help of our partners from the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD) - it takes our entire Wildtracks-SACD team to catch Twix, and 8 to 10 people to lift him out of the lagoon - he is heavy!! Now that he has a tracker attached to his newly installed belt, he has progressed to daily excursions into the lagoon, where he is increasingly exploring his natural environment. He is often joined by previously released manatees (primarily Mitch, Lucky and Hope), who are super inquisitive about this 23rd manatee to be prepared for release back into the wild, and intent on stealing his water hyacinths, a favourite food, if they float too close to the seperating fence! These visits by wild manatees provide excellent opportunities for Twix to benefit from social interaction and provide us with an opportunity to check thei condition.Seeing them doing so well after between four and ten years in the wild also reinforces the importance of giving rehabilitated animals the opportunity to return to their natural lives.

Our primate rehabilitation programme has also made good progress. Two more spider monkeys have been released at Freshwater Creek, joining others that have already established themselves in the forest. Encouragingly, one of the newly released males has been observed foraging high in the trees alongside Izzie, who was released earlier in the year. A further troop of three howler monkeys has also been successfully released, marking another important step towards rebuilding wild populations. Our tracking team will be returning to the forest next week to catch up with the released monkeys and check that they are doing OK.

Behind every successful release are months, and sometimes years, of dedicated care. Our youngest arrivals continue to make encouraging progress.

In the Primate Nursery Unit, Ozzy, the tiny baby howler monkey who came in weighing just 160 grams when rescued, is now thriving. Little Raine, our youngest spider monkey, has reached another important milestone, graduating from her incubator to sleeping independently in a hammock in her crate in the nursery. These small steps are important indicators of developing confidence and independence.

Freya, a young howler monkey who lost most of her tail following a severe screwworm infestation, has adapted remarkably well and, despite her injury, is expected to be able to return to the wild successfully. Previous experience with similarly injuries gives us confidence that physical disabilities need not prevent an animal from living independently in its natural habitat.

Strengthening Conservation Beyond the Rehabilitation Centre

Wildtracks' work extends beyond individual animal rehabilitation. We continue to contribute to wider efforts to protect the habitats on which wildlife depends. During this reporting period, work progressed on a management plan for the designation of Placencia Lagoon as a protected area. This is an important manatee stronghold, with WWF spearheading efforts to secure stronger protection and input and collaboration across all levels, from Government to communities. Extensive stakeholder consultations with lagoon users - fishermen, fisherwomen, youths, tour guides, community members and local governments, show strong support for protection to reverse the current decline in thlagoon health...another step towards ensuring long term manatee viability in Belize's seascape.

None of this would be possible without the continued support of our donors and volunteers. Your contributions and time help provide the specialist care, food, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation facilities and field monitoring needed to give rescued wildlife a genuine second chance.

Thank you for being part of Wildtracks!