Aces Wildlife Rescue

This week our cameras caught up with the amazing Collared Peccary.

These ecosystem engineers are vital for the littoral forest and turn over soil, disperse seeds and control plant growth via foraging. Their sense of smell is so great that they have been known to sniff our roots and bulbs up to eight inches underground! Known for speeds of up to 35mph they use this agility to try and avoid Jaguars and Pumas for which they form an important food source.

Peccaries here in Ambergris Caye face a number of threats including habitat fragmentation from development and illegal hunting. Our camera work is becoming more extensive and with footage gathered we will challenge illegal hunting as there is no place for it in such a fragile ecosystem.

If you would like to help us document wildlife, showcase the islands amazing diversity which is a big draw to visitors and locals alike and mitigate illegal hunting then please consider contributing to our camera fund link below as nothing is possible without your support.

https://aceswildliferescue.betterworld.org/campaigns/research-camera-fundraiser-2?fbclid=IwY2xjawUY3UBwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUpodWVZUklIaTdjT1licWtzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEejWA5A5qlt9r7ycBWE8bsloOF9Ey4kOvQlrGipjUGVKOkEiGnRICnyx9Qg7Y_aem_-jLGyGcUKhfQ96ZlMje4Xw

Absolutely appalling footage was posted across Belizean news channels last night. We will not share it as we do not want it to get more coverage.

A crocodile was tied, taped, blinded and dragged across a concrete floor — while the comment section was filled with laughter, jokes and bewilderment.

But imagine that same treatment being inflicted on a dog. The reaction would be completely different. People would be outraged. There would be demands for accountability and a manhunt for those responsible.

So why is the response so different?

Education only works when people are willing to listen, but we have to keep trying.

The fear surrounding crocodiles is often blown completely out of proportion when you actually look at the facts — their natural behaviour, their diet, their tendency to avoid humans and the circumstances in which conflicts actually occur.

However they still should be respected just like the way we respect any other animal.

But isn't that exactly what we teach our children about other potentially dangerous animals?

Dogs can bite. Dogs can be aggressive. Dogs can cause serious injuries or even kill. Yet we don't respond by saying every dog should be feared, abused or harmed. We teach children to recognise their behaviour, keep their distance, remain aware and never approach an unfamiliar animal.

Why can't we extend that same understanding to crocodiles?

Why does an animal's appearance determine how much empathy we think it deserves? We cannot pick and choose which animals are worthy of compassion.

Crocodiles have a place in Belize's ecosystems and they have every right to exist without being tortured, harassed or turned into entertainment.

We must do better.
We must challenge the cruelty.
We must educate.
And we must speak out for the animals who cannot speak for themselves.

The crocodile in the video was later captured by trained professionals, operating under the Forestry Department licence, assessed and released back where it belongs.

Our much more pleasant short clip below shows a stress free release of a similar sized crocodile by our team last week who similarly got himself into a spot of bother but was caught and transported safely mitigating injury to himself and the rescuers.

As always, report crocodile concerns on Ambergris Caye to our team on 623 7920

They may grow up, but they never lose their goofiness!

This is Fred, a female Great-tailed Grackle (named before we knew her gender 🙃). She’s been in our care for a couple of months now after being displaced from her nest during landscaping work at a resort.

Humans tend to feel a stronger sense of compassion towards animals that are declining in number or threatened with extinction. Meanwhile, species that have adapted to living alongside our human-made environments are often labelled as “pests” or a “nuisance.”

Here at ACES, we are not speciesist. We care for every one of our intakes with the same passion, dedication and energy — from one patient to the next, regardless of how common, rare, popular or misunderstood they may be.

And we ask you to do the same.

We need to learn how to live alongside the wildlife that shares our homes, gardens, streets and communities — whether their populations are thriving or struggling.

They are just trying to survive in an increasingly altered world — one where we have destroyed, changed and occupied so much of their natural habitat and the places they once called home.

Our beautiful, Fred and her friend Frannie should be ready for release in another few weeks! 🥰🖤

Finally some rain to hit Belize!!

We are not the only ones to appreciate some rain, all our resident birds are making sure they get a wash to preen their beautiful feathers.

These pigeons were raised here at ACES when roof repairs exposed a number of nests, resulting in them tumbling down to a pack of dogs underneath.

Just recently released, they are enjoying the freedom of being a wild bird for the first time, where they belong 🐦

🐦 ❤️

This little guy got himself in a spot of bother in town today.
Stuck within the slats of a pier gate we managed to free him safely and he eventually ran under a building where his mum was hiding (**sleeping😴)🦝
Being a full-time mom is difficult so we understand!

Make sure to save and share our 24hr hotline number +501-623-7929, we rescue any wild animal in need across the Cayes ⛑️