Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic visited Wildtracks to help them with a troop relocation and do some surgery on an injured monkey.  Thanks, BWRC!

"Yesterday we went out to assist with the relocation of an entire troop of Howler monkeys, which despite our small army of Wildtracks and BWRC volunteers under guidance of FD officers, prooved to require further logistical arrangements for successful completion.  Simultaneously we were asked to tend to a fresh laceration injury in one of Wildtracks young rehab candidates "Sy".  Thanks to my friend Chad Burrow we can share with you a brief foto documentary of our field set up, many helping hands and the quick procedure.  Be warned that there are a couple of slightly graphic images, but nothing like orthopedic surgery ;)"

The Macal River Camp at Chaa Creek was listed in Oyster.com's top 5 list for places at which to glamp.  Glamping, glamorous camping, might sound silly, but it's just another niche for travelers who want a rustic experience without having to rough it too much.  Cayo is the place for camping...and now glamping.

"This collection of canvas-roofed tents is located on the grounds of the luxurious Lodge at Chaa Creek, and guests at the camp are welcome to use the lodge facilities, such as the swimming pool.  But the tents allow guests to truly feel alone in the jungle.  There is no electricity, and after dark, the tents are lit by the glow of flickering gas lamps.  At night, guests can fall asleep listening to the cicadas and the chorus of howler monkeys.  Bathrooms and showers are shared, excellent meals are served in the thatched-roof dining area, and campfires are lit on chilly evenings."

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."

Jungle hospitality, one of the thing's Cayo is known for, is one of the focuses of this superbly written article from Jaxfax magazine.  Chaa Creek and Hidden Valley Inn are highlighted, of course, and Caracol, ATM, Butterfly Falls, and the San Antonio Women's Group classes are recommended.  Well worth a read. 

"Belize offers two realities: Jungles where you can hear the roar of howler monkeys and stay in rooms that make you feel like you’re at luxury summer camp - where you can disconnect from 24-hour media and other noise pollution, and the glowing aqua shore where you can lean against palm trees on a beach that retains its wild outlines and enjoy a pina colada.  Belize offers both those experiences.  Start in the jungle with rigorous hiking, biking, swimming, bird watching and other activities and end the trip with relaxation, snorkeling, a fishing excursion perhaps or a trip to a high-end spa."

The San Ignacio Resort Hotel has a howler monkey on their property.  A guest first spotted it, and it was confirmed this week.  Add this to all the species of birds they have, and the Green Iguana Conservation Project, and the term 'in town jungle' really hits the nail on the head. 

"A few weeks ago, a guest at our Hotel mentioned one evening that he heard a Howler Monkey just right outside his room.  Well, since we have never encountered Howler Monkeys at our Hotel, we believed he had just gotten confused with another animal more commonly found on our Hotel grounds.  So we thought...

On Thursday the 19th, our Chief Engineer mentioned that he heard Howler Monkeys down by the river somewhere amongst our 17 acre private estate.  I found this testimony interesting since this was the second mention of Howler Monkeys over the past few weeks.  Later that afternoon at about 2:00pm, we finally got a glimpse of the infamous creature that has been the talk of the Hotel over the past weeks."

Great story about the Howler Monkey that was hit by a car, and saved by the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic a month ago.  It chronicles the story from the day of the accident to this week.  Dr. Isabelle and her team at the BWRC saved Mia, and she's been rehabilitating at Wildtracks ever since.  She'll be released into the wild later this year.

"Mia was later taken to the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic where the medical team discovered that she had suffered severe head trauma in the accident.  Dr. Isabelle and her team administered stabilization treatment, fluid therapy and intensive care for several days.  On February 6th, she was placed on board a Lighhawk flight en route to Wildtracks, a manatee and  primate rehabilitation center in the village of Sarteneja, run by Paul Walker, a zoologist, and his wife, Zoe, to undergo careful rehabilitation.  Several weeks later, Valerie called Paul to check on Mia's progress."