Belize Bird Rescue

One of the best things about eco-tourism is the chance to show local communities the value of keeping wild birds wild. In a perfect world, no bird would leave his home except as an image in a digital camera, the locals would have secure jobs in lodges, restaurants and as guides. But we all know this world isn’t perfect and many birds do end up being captured by poachers. Some of these poor birds will die in tiny cages, some will be shipped around the world and some will be recovered by the authorities before the poacher gets too far with them. Thanks to places like Belize Bird Rescue, these birds have a 2nd chance to go home, be free and hopefully tell all the other birds what happened so they can avoid capture.

Belize Bird Rescue goals for 2012 education campaigns

• To emphasise the link between Belize’s tourism industry and its wildlife

• To diminish or halt the trade in wild-caught parrots

• To improve living conditions and thereby prolong the lifespan of captive parrots

• To open the hearts and minds of young Belizeans to the plight of their indigenous avian species

Belize Bird Rescue is located on the outskirts of Belmopan, about an hour’s bus ride from Belize City or San Ignacio. They are not currently open to the public but as a fellow conservationist networking on social media, my husband and I were invited for a private visit to the facility. Nikki Buxton showed us around the facility, let me take photos of the birds, then we sat on the verandah chatting and watching some playful Amazon parrots frolic in the bushes. Rehabiliating a rescued bird isn’t as simple as just letting it go. The whole procedure is outlined on their website. Don’t miss this heart-wrenching video! Some birds are injured to the point where they can never be released and Belize Bird Rescue cares for them in lovely spacious aviaries with healthy diets and plenty of enrichment. If I were a few years younger and single, I would seriously think about being a volunteer there! Please help them with a donation if you can!

Here are some of the photos of our visit!

If you are ever in Belmopan, please consider staying at the Hibiscus Hotel and eating at their restaurant, it supports the rescue!