Wildtracks is Recognized by Forest Dept. for Local Conservation Efforts

The Forest Department also awarded Wildtracks, one of its rehabilitation partners for its outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.  Since its inception in 1990, Wildtracks has responded to numerous wildlife emergencies, rehabilitated one hundred and sixty-six primates and returned over ninety-five primates back to the wild.  Paul Walker is the director.

Paul Walker

Paul Walker, Director, Wild Tracks

“The important part is that it‘s a team effort.  As I mentioned earlier in the presentation, it‘s a team effort between the organizations and the Forest Department and organizations working with other organizations and the communities.  For us, it‘s a huge honor to receive recognition, we’ve been working in wildlife rehab for a lot of years with very good levels of success, but that success couldn‘t come without the partnership with the Forest Department and the support of the communities and the NGO community as well.  So yeah, it‘s an important day, getting the MOUs updated to be legally more meaningful, to be more applicable is bureaucracy, but it‘s important bureaucracy.  You know, it’s really important that we have the right wording that covers the different activities that we do.  So, it’s a pleasant surprise receiving recognition and an award, but as I say, really it’s a reflection of the team effort rather than just our overall organization.”

The rehabilitation centers that were recognized are ACES Wildlife Rescue, Belize Bird Rescue, Belize Raptor Center, Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic, Belize Zoo, Crocodile Research Coalition, Eco-Iguana Corner Foundation, Green Iguana Conservation Project and Wildtracks.