Belize's Wildlife: Under Threat

Belize is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including rare and endangered species. The country's diverse ecosystems, ranging from coastlines and tropical jungles to mountain pine forests, provide a haven for countless animals. However, human activities such as industrial development, deforestation, hunting, and poaching pose significant threats to Belize's wildlife.

One of the most iconic animals in Belize is the jaguar, which is native to the region and considered culturally important. Other native species include ocelots, margays, pumas, tapirs, and various species of monkeys, such as the Guatemalan Black Howler monkey, which is currently endangered. Belize is also known for its spectacular coral reef system just off the coast, which supports a vast array of aquatic life, including sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, and sharks.

While Belize has taken steps to conserve its ecology and promote sustainable tourism, the country's wildlife remains vulnerable to human activities and climate change.

Deforestation

Belize's tropical forests have a long history of disturbance, dating back to the Mayan agricultural influence and continuing with British colonisation in 1862, which brought increased forestry and economic development. Despite these pressures, Belize has managed to retain some of the most complete swathes of forest in the region, with official figures stating that the country has 79% forest cover. However, more recent studies estimate this number to be closer to 60%.

The rate of deforestation in Belize is a significant concern. While earlier studies reported an annual deforestation rate of around 0.5%, a 2012 satellite-based assessment by CATHALAC revealed an accelerated loss of forest cover. Between early 2010 and early 2012, Belize's forest cover fell from 62.7% to 61.6%, resulting in a decline of 25,264 hectares. This translates to an annual loss of 12,632 hectares, a notable increase from the previous rate of around 10,000 hectares per year between 1980 and 2010.

The impact of deforestation on specific habitats and species in Belize is evident. For instance, the Guatemalan Black Howler Monkey, also known as the Yucatan Howler Monkey, has seen its population decline by more than 60% due to a combination of disease, hunting, and habitat loss. This species has been listed as endangered since 2003. Another example is the Geoffroy's Spider Monkey, which requires a vast territory to survive. The destruction of the jungles in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, where this subspecies inhabits, has severely impacted its numbers, pushing it towards extinction.

The Baird's Tapir, Belize's national animal, is also endangered due to hunting and habitat loss. Known as the mountain cow, this unusual-looking hoofed mammal plays an essential role in the rainforest ecosystem. The loss of forest cover directly affects the survival of these and many other species, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices in Belize.

Hunting and poaching

Belize's national animal, the Baird's tapir, was once hunted to near extinction. Hunting and habitat loss have made the species endangered throughout Central and South America. The Guatemalan Black Howler monkey has been endangered since 2003, due to the combined effects of deforestation, hunting, and poaching for the pet trade. Its population has declined by more than 60%.

Hunting is a significant threat to wildlife in Belize. The country is home to five native species of wild cat, including jaguars, ocelots, and pumas. While jaguars are now protected, they were once hunted, and their elusive nature makes them difficult to spot in the wild. The ocelot is also a target for hunting, prized for its gorgeous fur.

Poaching is also a concern, particularly for the scarlet macaw, a rare bird native to Belize. Poachers covet the eggs and hatchlings of this bird, but conservation efforts have helped to increase their numbers. The Guatemalan Black Howler monkey is also vulnerable to poaching, as are parrots, which are the major species threatened by Belize's wildlife trade.

Oil drilling

The suspension of oil activity in Belize's ocean waters was preceded by a ban on offshore oil exploration and drilling along the Belize Barrier Reef and within a World Heritage Site that includes seven marine protected areas. This ban was implemented in 2015 and was applauded by environmental groups and the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a step in the right direction.

Oil and gas drilling can harm wildlife in several ways. Firstly, it contributes to the climate crisis by producing emissions that accelerate global warming. This, in turn, leads to rising temperatures and more extreme weather events, which can devastate habitats and force wildlife to move or face extinction. Secondly, oil and gas projects destroy natural habitats and disrupt the migration of animals, reducing their safe space to thrive and forcing them into more dangerous areas. Thirdly, these projects pollute the air and water with heavy metals, toxic particulates, and volatile compounds, causing serious health complications for humans and wildlife. Finally, oil and gas production accidents can have catastrophic and permanent effects on natural ecosystems and wildlife, as seen in the Deepwater Horizon explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, which killed millions of birds, dolphins, turtles, and other wildlife.

Belize's decision to suspend oil activity in its ocean waters and ban offshore drilling demonstrates its commitment to protecting its natural resources and wildlife. However, it is important to note that not all marine protected areas are covered by the ban, and the existing moratorium on drilling could be lifted in the future, which would pose a significant threat to the country's reef system.

Climate change

Belize is a small Central American country with a rich concentration of wildlife and varied ecosystems, including coastlines, island atolls, tropical jungles, and mountain pine forests. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is located between the Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico, is the second-largest barrier reef system in the world and is home to sublime coral reefs and a fragile coral reef system.

Belize is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, particularly in Belize City. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding and rising sea levels. Belize is also at risk of extreme temperature events. Climate change poses a significant threat to Belize's wildlife and ecosystems.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef has been severely damaged over the last four years, which could jeopardize its existence in the future. Elevated temperatures caused by climate change have transformed vibrant coral reefs into dull ones, as massive coral bleaching has devastated the reef's wildlife. Coral bleaching occurs when coral becomes stressed by changes in its environment, such as increased water temperatures, and expels the symbiotic algae living within its tissues, causing it to turn white or pale. Within the Belize Barrier Reef System, the bleaching stress level increased from a 1.7 level between 1985 and 2014 to a severe level of 3 between 2014 and 2017. This indicates that bleaching has nearly doubled within three years, and Belize's coral reefs are under serious threat.

The rising sea levels and ocean erosion have impacted the islands in Glover's Reef and threatened the tourism industry in the area. The shoreline has decreased, and the coral bleaching events underwater have not recovered. The sustained high water temperatures have compromised the immune system of the coral reefs, making them susceptible to different diseases. As a result, the recovery rate of the reefs has decreased.

The impacts of climate change on Belize's coral reefs and mangroves exacerbate the damage caused by pollution and coastal development. According to the UN report "Belize and Climate Change: Costs of Inaction," a conservative temperature increase of 1-2 degrees Celsius would cause regions between 20-30 degrees north to experience sustained warming that falls within the lethal limits of most reef-building coral species.

The government of Belize has committed to taking action to preserve its coral reefs and mitigate the effects of climate change. They have pledged to reduce waste dumped into the ocean, preserve natural resources, promote sustainable tourism practices, and regulate industries developing along the coastline. While these regulations may cost Belize profits in the short run, the country will benefit in the long term.

Human-wildlife conflict

In Belize, common conflict species include wildcats, crocodiles, owls, raccoons, coatis, raptors, parrots, snakes, opossums, and bats. These conflicts can pose problems for humans and their livelihoods, and often result in the killing of the animal(s).

One significant cause of HWC in Belize is improper garbage management, leading to "accidental/indirect feeding" of wildlife. This includes garbage, dog food, or debris that provides a food source for animals. Another issue is "purposeful/direct feeding" of wildlife, often used as a tourist attraction. Regular wildlife feeding can lead to habituation, where animals lose their fear of humans and become dependent on unnatural food sources. This can have dangerous consequences for both humans and the wildlife involved.

Additionally, "available access" to nesting spaces in homes and other structures, such as holes in walls or construction gaps, can provide easy access for birds, bats, rats, and other mammals, leading to conflicts with humans.

To mitigate HWC in Belize, it is recommended to secure garbage, store pet food securely, harvest ripe fruits and vegetables, and seal holes and cracks in homes to prevent wildlife from accessing nesting spaces.

It is important to note that human-wildlife conflict is a global issue, and similar conflicts occur in various parts of the world, including Kenya and Russia.

Frequently asked questions