Crocodile Conservation Volunteer Belize
Description
We are a Belize-based non-profit, established in January 2016, that seeks to preserve crocodiles and their environments throughout Central America and the Caribbean to ensure the long-term sustainability of biodiversity in the region. We believe the success of our conservation efforts parallels the involvement and support from local communities, […]
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Details
Organisation:
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Location:
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Qualifications/Skills:
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Dates of program:
Year round
Duration of program:
3 days minimum
Age requirement:
Adults of both sexes 18+
Cost:
Interested volunteers would be required to pay US$35/night if volunteering for 3 weeks or less and between US$850-US$1,150 (depending on how involved you wish to be) if volunteering for more than a month. These costs cover accommodation at the Royal Rat Hostel and vehicle maintenance for the course of your stay.
Other information:
None
Reviews
Terrestrial and Mangrove Eyeshine Surveys"We had scheduled a family trip to the Placencia area of Belize. Having a lifelong interest in Herpetology and volunteer monitoring experience back in the states I was looking for opportunities while we were on vacation. I found on the Web where there were volunteer opportunities with the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) in the Placencia area. I contacted the coalition, and they made available two nights assisting with their American and Morelett's Crocodile eyeshine surveys. The first night with Monique and Jonathan was the terrestrial survey where we used lights in walking around and driving around local ponds of the Mangrove Lagoon looking for crocodiles as well as surveying for other reptiles, birds, and mammals in the area. CRC besides monitoring the crocodile population is also building a data base of the terrestrial and aquatic life that also inhabit the crocodile habitat. Besides crocodiles on the surveys, you may see many other birds and mammals looking back at you and if you’re really lucky a Puma or Jaguar. We didn't see any of the big cats this evening, but Monique and Jonathan showed me pictures of both Jaguar and Puma from their game cams posted in the same area. The second night was a visit to their rehab facility and eyeshine surveys on the Lagoon. This afternoon and evening I accompanied Marisa and several other staff members on a boating trip out to the Rehab Facility. Marisa did a great job of explaining all the activities the Coalition is involved in from crocodile rehabilitation, population studies, community educational outreach and their work in the local schools in working with the youth to educate and involve them in conservation. Education not only of the crocodiles in the area but also all the flora and fauna that make the Placencia area of central and southern Belize so unique. They do keep a small number of crocodiles at the rehab facility who due to severity of their injuries cannot be released back into the wild that serve as ambassadors to educate others. The facility has plans to grow. And visitors and other efforts to support the facility are welcome. That evening on the way back with a new moon was one of the darkest sky’s I have ever witnessed. Even though we did not see any crocs due to the cooler temperatures (lots of birds though) that evening the boat ride through the mangroves shining for crocs and the star filled sky back across the Placencia Lagoon was well worth the trip. Thank you, Marisa, Monique, Johnathan, and your entire staff for your time and involving me in your research."- Robert Richie
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