The poetry reading will be held at the San Pedro Lions Den during their annual Valentine Dinner & Dance held on February 12th, 2011!!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Send in your poems!!
The poetry reading will be held at the San Pedro Lions Den during their annual Valentine Dinner & Dance held on February 12th, 2011!!
ACES Croc Chronicles #2
Submitted by ACES Biologist Cherie Rose
Croc Being Illegally Harassed is Rescued
On Jan 13th, the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) received a call from the San Pedro Town Council about a croc in DFC near W&W Store. This time it wasn’t humans that were in peril, but the small crocodile that was stuck in a polluted water hole no more than 2ft deep. Every time the animal would come out to sun or try to escape kids would throw rocks at it, so obviously that croc needed to be rescued. On Wednesday, Jan 19th, ACES did just that.
At 11 am the ACES team arrived at the site. A few neighbors came out to watch and help if necessary. A couple children who were watching reported that just minutes prior to our arrival, some other children were again throwing rocks at the poor croc. Seems ACES arrived none too soon.
By 11:20 the croc was rescued, data collected, tagged and re-released in a secluded lagoon area south east of Port Authority. Although the 5ft 8in croc suffered several injuries to her back from the rocks, she seemed otherwise healthy. Swimming ‘happily’ in her new habitat, we don’t suspect she’ll try to return to DFC.
Some people may say kids will be kids; but throwing stones at crocodiles is illegal. American crocodiles, named so because they are only found in North, Central, and South America, are a protected species in Belize. Belizeans should be proud to have them here. Worldwide there are not many of their species left. We need them to keep the island’s environment healthy; so we must start trying to safely co-exist with them.
Vendors Illegally Selling Protected Species Parts
While kids may be kids, it is the adults who set the precedent for their behavior. Children learn by example, and on Thu
rsday night, Jan 20th, around 7pm ACES received an anonymous call that there was a crocodile skull for sale at the town square. Not only is this illegal in Belize, but it is illegal worldwide to have in one’s possession any part of an American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, without the proper permits. Additionally, ACES was told that the vendor was wrongly informing tourists that they could indeed cross international borders with the skull. In the USA, the offense of smuggling a crocodile skull across International borders is punishable by up to twenty (20) years in a federal prison. I have to ask; how would Belize look as a country when an otherwise innocent tourist is arrested for smuggling crocodile parts, and then tells the world that a Belizean not only sold them the illegal croc skull, but also told them it was okay to take it across International borders?
Belize Forest Department (BFD) Wildlife Officer Rasheda Garcia- Sampson had just recently informed all the vendors that it is illegal to sell or even to have in one’s possession parts or pieces thereof from any protected species, including but not limited to crocodiles and jaguars. Some vendors evidently think they are above the laws of Belize. Thanks to communications between Chief Arnold and the BFD, for the first time on Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Police was able to enforce this law of the Belize Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 220) and confiscate the illegal croc skull. For now, the skull will remain in the possession of the SP Police Department. ACES hopes to be allowed to use the skull in upcoming educational presentations on crocodilians and how to safely co-exist with them that will be open to the public and available to schools here on the island.
ACES sends a great big Thank You to everyone involved with both croc cases. Your help is taking a bite out of extinction!
ACES's mission is commitment to conserving Belize's critical habitats and protected species through scientific research and education to prevent further extinction of species Worldwide and to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations. For more information about ACES or to report a problem croc please call 666-3871 or 631-6366.
Croc Being Illegally Harassed is Rescued
On Jan 13th, the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) received a call from the San Pedro Town Council about a croc in DFC near W&W Store. This time it wasn’t humans that were in peril, but the small crocodile that was stuck in a polluted water hole no more than 2ft deep. Every time the animal would come out to sun or try to escape kids would throw rocks at it, so obviously that croc needed to be rescued. On Wednesday, Jan 19th, ACES did just that.
At 11 am the ACES team arrived at the site. A few neighbors came out to watch and help if necessary. A couple children who were watching reported that just minutes prior to our arrival, some other children were again throwing rocks at the poor croc. Seems ACES arrived none too soon.
By 11:20 the croc was rescued, data collected, tagged and re-released in a secluded lagoon area south east of Port Authority. Although the 5ft 8in croc suffered several injuries to her back from the rocks, she seemed otherwise healthy. Swimming ‘happily’ in her new habitat, we don’t suspect she’ll try to return to DFC.
Some people may say kids will be kids; but throwing stones at crocodiles is illegal. American crocodiles, named so because they are only found in North, Central, and South America, are a protected species in Belize. Belizeans should be proud to have them here. Worldwide there are not many of their species left. We need them to keep the island’s environment healthy; so we must start trying to safely co-exist with them.
Vendors Illegally Selling Protected Species Parts
While kids may be kids, it is the adults who set the precedent for their behavior. Children learn by example, and on Thu
rsday night, Jan 20th, around 7pm ACES received an anonymous call that there was a crocodile skull for sale at the town square. Not only is this illegal in Belize, but it is illegal worldwide to have in one’s possession any part of an American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, without the proper permits. Additionally, ACES was told that the vendor was wrongly informing tourists that they could indeed cross international borders with the skull. In the USA, the offense of smuggling a crocodile skull across International borders is punishable by up to twenty (20) years in a federal prison. I have to ask; how would Belize look as a country when an otherwise innocent tourist is arrested for smuggling crocodile parts, and then tells the world that a Belizean not only sold them the illegal croc skull, but also told them it was okay to take it across International borders?Belize Forest Department (BFD) Wildlife Officer Rasheda Garcia- Sampson had just recently informed all the vendors that it is illegal to sell or even to have in one’s possession parts or pieces thereof from any protected species, including but not limited to crocodiles and jaguars. Some vendors evidently think they are above the laws of Belize. Thanks to communications between Chief Arnold and the BFD, for the first time on Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Police was able to enforce this law of the Belize Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 220) and confiscate the illegal croc skull. For now, the skull will remain in the possession of the SP Police Department. ACES hopes to be allowed to use the skull in upcoming educational presentations on crocodilians and how to safely co-exist with them that will be open to the public and available to schools here on the island.
ACES sends a great big Thank You to everyone involved with both croc cases. Your help is taking a bite out of extinction!
ACES's mission is commitment to conserving Belize's critical habitats and protected species through scientific research and education to prevent further extinction of species Worldwide and to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations. For more information about ACES or to report a problem croc please call 666-3871 or 631-6366.
6-a-side Tournament Continues!!
San Pedro’s Saca Chispas stadium continues to be the venue for the Six-A-Side Tournament being hosted by the San Pedro Town Council and organized by Councilor Joseph Elijio.
Results are as follows:
Results are as follows:Saturday January 29th
San Pedro Strikers (1) vs Fire Blazers (1)
San Pedro Police Department (2) vs Tropical Stars (2)
Sunday January 30th
San Mateo Warriors (1) vs Fire Blazers (0)
San Pedro Town Council (1) vs San Pedro Strikers (0)
San Pedro Strikers (1) vs Fire Blazers (1)
San Pedro Police Department (2) vs Tropical Stars (2)
Sunday January 30th
San Mateo Warriors (1) vs Fire Blazers (0)
San Pedro Town Council (1) vs San Pedro Strikers (0)
The current standings are as follows:
San Mateo Strikers 9 Points
San Pedro Police Department 7 Points
San Pedro Town Council 7 Points
Tropical Stars 5 Points
San Pedro Strikers 5 Point
Fire Blazers 4 Points
Scheduled games for the upcoming weekend are as follows:
Saturday February 5th
San Pedro Police Department vs
San Mateo Bombers
Tropic Allstars vs San Pedro Strikers
Sunday February 6th
San Pedro Police Department vs
San Pedro Town Council
Sunday’s game will be followed by a friendly game with the San Mateo Girls taking on the San Pedro High School girls.
San Mateo Strikers 9 Points
San Pedro Police Department 7 Points
San Pedro Town Council 7 Points
Tropical Stars 5 Points
San Pedro Strikers 5 Point
Fire Blazers 4 Points
Scheduled games for the upcoming weekend are as follows:
Saturday February 5th
San Pedro Police Department vs
San Mateo Bombers
Tropic Allstars vs San Pedro Strikers
Sunday February 6th
San Pedro Police Department vs
San Pedro Town Council
Sunday’s game will be followed by a friendly game with the San Mateo Girls taking on the San Pedro High School girls.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Oceana applauds Cabinet decision not to re-issue Opic Concession
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oceana Belize wishes to heartily congratulate Cabinet on their decision today not to re-issue the concession for over 1.14 million acres, formerly held by OPIC under its Oil Exploration and Production Contract.
We believe that this is one of the first steps in demonstrating that we truly live in a democratic country. Now the future decision on whether or not it is beneficial to drill offshore can now lie in the hands of the Belizean People, in the form of a referendum. We call on the Belizean public to become more aware of this highly critical issue, and to show their support for a referendum on the matter by signing the petition currently being promoted.
In a statement, V.P. Oceana Audrey Matura-Shepherd said that “this is indeed a historic moment, and it is good to know that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet recognizes that this is an issue of national importance, and that the mandate of how to proceed on offshore drilling should come from the people of Belize.”
In an earlier letter from Oceana to Prime Minister Barrow, we had indicated that it was in his hands how the history of this issue shall be written. Now we look forward to be able to continue our dialog with the Government, to officially present to them the reasons why we do not support off-shore drilling in Belize.
Oceana Belize wishes to heartily congratulate Cabinet on their decision today not to re-issue the concession for over 1.14 million acres, formerly held by OPIC under its Oil Exploration and Production Contract.
We believe that this is one of the first steps in demonstrating that we truly live in a democratic country. Now the future decision on whether or not it is beneficial to drill offshore can now lie in the hands of the Belizean People, in the form of a referendum. We call on the Belizean public to become more aware of this highly critical issue, and to show their support for a referendum on the matter by signing the petition currently being promoted.
In a statement, V.P. Oceana Audrey Matura-Shepherd said that “this is indeed a historic moment, and it is good to know that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet recognizes that this is an issue of national importance, and that the mandate of how to proceed on offshore drilling should come from the people of Belize.”
In an earlier letter from Oceana to Prime Minister Barrow, we had indicated that it was in his hands how the history of this issue shall be written. Now we look forward to be able to continue our dialog with the Government, to officially present to them the reasons why we do not support off-shore drilling in Belize.
Cane Farmers Present Plaque of Appreciation to Prime Minister
Press Release - Belmopan, February 1st, 2011 - Today in his Belmopan Office, Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow was presented with a plaque of appreciation by representatives of the Cane Farmers’ Association. The plaque of appreciation is in recognition of the Prime Minister and his Government’s timely intervention in providing a BZ$10 Million loan to BSI to enable the current crop season to commence, as well as a grant of One Million Belize dollars to the farmers.
The reads of follows: “Certificate of Appreciation: This certificate is awarded to the Honourable Dean Barrow, Prime Minister, for the support given to the cane farmers to provide the third cane payment and for your intervention to have the commencement of the 2010-2011 Crop season. Also, we are very grateful for the One Million Dollar Grant (BZ$1,000,000) which was provided to the cane farmers as a donation.”
Presenting the plaque to the Prime Minister on behalf of the Cane Farmers’ Association was the Chairman of its Committee of Management, Alfredo Ortega. The Prime Minister, in response, expressed his thanks for the kind gesture and commended the farmers for the remarkable improvement in the quality of cane being delivered to the factory, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the Sugar Industry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)