Animals - Channel 5 Belize

Horse Abuse Cases Triggers Public Outrage

This next story doesn’t often make the news, but this week, it sparked enough outrage for people to demand action from the authorities. It started when a horse was found injured and starving in a drain, left to die. After a Facebook post about the animal went up on Wednesday, many Belize City residents called for stricter enforcement of animal cruelty and neglect laws. Since then, more reports have surfaced of horses being left tied in the sun for hours without food or water. Rescuers try to help but prefer to stay anonymous due to fear of being targeted. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with two of them today and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

This heartbreaking picture of a horse left to die from injury and starvation in a Belize City drain has outraged many people, sparking a call for justice against those responsible. An animal rescuer we spoke with was furious when she found the horse, especially given the many stories of horses being abused by youths.

On the Phone: Animal Rescuer #1

“Wednesday afternoon, I was leaving my mom residence right around Benbow Street in the city and a vehicle blocked traffic. So, I was wondering what happened. So, I said, let me go and see when I looked, a horse was dead in the bush – in the drain, and I just lost it. I completely lost it. I lost it because I couldn’t believe that you always hear stories about kids riding the horses. You see them riding the horses. People complain on Facebook multiple times and like nothing is being done.”

But there’s hope. In this case, the animal rescuer called a police officer, who quickly sent a patrol to investigate. The Belize City Council also sent a dump truck to remove the carcass. Unfortunately, this was just one incident. The rescuer mentioned that there were three more cases of horse abuse and neglect the next day.

On the Phone: Animal Rescuer #1

“Thursday, which was yesterday, I got a call again on pictures from three different locations. One was in front of the education building. The other was at the corner of Cairo Street and Euphrates Avenue. And the other one was, I think, somewhere by Cemetery Road where horses are tied with no water.”

In another instance, a man found a horse tied to a lamp post in the scorching sun and took it upon himself to move the animal to a cooler spot under a tree. Another animal rescuer mentioned that abuse and neglect are so widespread in Belize that dogs are often the most common victims. She recounted a recent incident where a fellow rescuer was criticized for helping an abandoned dog.

On the phone: Animal Rescuer #2

“We had a situation where one of my volunteers kept passing this house and kept seeing this little poodle tied on a very very short leash, no shelter, no food, no water. She realized that she didn’t see any activity in the house so she started going in and feeding the poodle and give it water. Ih do that fi a week – still nobody in the house. She took the poodle out of the sun where it was suffering, no activity in the house, so she figured they just abandoned the poodle. She took the poodle home and the owner showed up about another week and a half later, and the blasted her on Facebook, and accused her of stealing ih dog.”

There are only a few animal rescuers in Belize, and they’re overwhelmed trying to balance work and rescues. They do it out of love for animals. They advise pet owners to take good care of their pets or not get one at all.

On the Phone: Animal Rescuer #1

“It’s just common sense. You know Belize, it’s hot. If we walk outside the street, outside it is hot, extremely hot. Simple thing as water – they just so simple water they could give the animal, put them in a shaded area. Many times, even with dogs, you pass on certain areas, even in the yard, fence yard at that too, they have a dog tied to a tree with no shelter, no house. Rain beat them, sun beat them. And like it’s just the basic norm, and that’s my issue. It is not normal because they have feelings just like any other animal. And just like us, just get a house and if you can’t afford to have an animal, just don’t have one.”

We’ll follow up with a story about the laws on animal abuse and neglect, and the penalties people can face if they’re convicted of these offenses. Marion Ali for News Five.

Suffering Horse Left for Dead in Drain

A Facebook post asking anyone to help a suffering horse has reignited urgent calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in Belize. The post read, “Please, somebody come help; it’s near Calvary Baptist on Kraal Road” in Belize City.

Pictures and video accompanying the post show a severely malnourished and dehydrated horse that was left abandoned in a drain. It was reportedly left suffering without food and water for more than 24 hours.

Attempts to save the horse were futile.

Michelle Rudon, leader of the animal rescue group SPARK (Society for the Promotion of Animal Rescue and Kindness), shared a heartbreaking update:

“We tried with her, but she just died. We got Dr. Chimilio out there, and the Belize City Council also showed up to help, but it was too late. She died. ”

Rudon expressed deep frustration over the widespread indifference to animal cruelty:

“Many people passed and saw her, and nobody cared enough to do anything. They left her right there. Things need to change like NOW! Animal Welfare needs to become a priority. There are way too many cases of cruelty, abuse, and neglect.”

Grace The Tapir Settling Into New Home At the Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center has a delightful new addition. Meet Grace, a one-month-old Tapir calf who was separated from her mother during a wildfire in La Gracia. A local farmer found her and brought her to safety. After a week of care at the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic, Grace is now in quarantine at the Belize Zoo. She’s set to make her grand debut on International Tapir Day in April. Today, we got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the zoo to see what’s next for Grace. Here’s News Five’s Paul Lopez with the story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

“Today we are at the Belize Zoo to me one of its newest members, a tapir calf named Grace. Grace was rescued in the La Gracia Community. Reports are that she was separated from her mother because of wildfire.”

Newborn tapirs sport a cute brown coat adorned with white spots and stripes. These markings act as natural camouflage, helping them blend into their surroundings and stay safe from predators. Over time, these spots and stripes gradually fade away, usually disappearing within five to six months. This is Grace’s makeshift habitat behind the scenes at the Belize Zoo, where only her. We arrived just in time to see Grace’s caretakers in action during her feeding time, a routine they follow every three hours, day and night. Grace eagerly drinks down two bottles of specially formulated milk at each feeding, ensuring she grows up healthy and strong. Doctor Celso Pott, the Managing Director at the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, oversees her care.

Dr. Celso Poot, Managing Director, Belize Zoo

“You know that Tapir’s have a special place in our heart, in Belize’s heart. It is our national animal. April was in the house of many people, many kids came to the zoo to celebrate April Birthdays. So when we rescue a Tapir it is always a significant achievement for us. We have had two baby tapirs in the zoo before, so we have experience in raising tapir calf’s.”

Grace spent a week at the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic before moving to her new home at the zoo. As a young calf, she needs human care, which means she’ll form a close bond with her caregivers. This strong connection makes it challenging to return her to the wild.

Dr. Celso Poot

“Tapir’s stay with their spotted skins or marks for at least six months. They stay with their mom for a year or a year and a half learning how to be a tapir. So, when you have a calf like this coming to us at two weeks, a month old, we have to teach them. You just witnessed the bottle feeding. We use to bottle feed every two hours, now we are bottle feeding every three hours. It is half litter of milk replacers. So they become dependent on us and it is very unlikely that Grace would be released back into the wild.”

But there’s no need to worry. Grace is now part of a loving tapir family at the zoo. She gets all the care and attention she needs, including those essential tummy and back rubs after every feeding. These gentle strokes help Grace relax completely. She slowly folds her rear legs and then flops onto her side, enjoying the pure bliss of being pampered.

Dr. Celso Poot

“At this age she is doing very well, very healthy, very feisty. She is always looking out for the food she is getting, the milk replacer. We also provide her with little enrichments. So you have the balls in there that she could kick around, bounce around, provide her with light fruits. So she is doing very health, very highly likely that she will survive.”

Paul Lopez

“People may want to know, when they may be able to meet baby Grace?”

Dr. Celso Poot

“As with all animals we meet at the zoo, intakes, we have to make sure they pass the quarantine period, that they are healthy and going to survive. In terms of Grace we have a big day coming up, global Tapir day, April twenty-seventh, so hint, hint.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Filly the Jaguar Arrives Safe at Milwaukee Zoo

Filly the Jaguar has safely arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin! Earlier this month, the Belize Zoo announced that Filly, one of their female jaguars, would be transferred as part of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan, a program designed to maintain genetic diversity among jaguars in captivity. Filly was rehabilitated in 2019 through the Human Jaguar Conflict Program after being classified as a conflict animal. These jaguars often struggle to compete for food and territory, leading them to prey on livestock and risk being shot or poached. After landing in Miami, Filly was driven to Wisconsin, arriving on the evening of January 23rd. The Milwaukee County Zoo shared on social media that Filly is “adjusting well, eating, and seems comfortable with her care team.” Filly has been paired with Frankie, the male offspring of Pat the jaguar, who was transferred to the zoo from Belize in 2008.

Belizean Jaguar Heading to the US!

Belize’s very own Filly the Jaguar is on her way to the United States! Filly was rehabilitated at the Belize Zoo in 2019 after being identified as a conflict animal, preying on livestock in the San Felipe area. Now, she’s set to be transferred to the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin as part of the Species Survival Plan. Earlier today, News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with the team at the Philip Goldson International Airport to get more details on this remarkable collaboration.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s been about five years since Filly the Jaguar was taken in by the Belize Zoo for rehabilitation. She was identified as a conflict animal, preying on farm animals due to habitat loss in the San Felipe area. After years of dedicated care and training from the team at the Belize Zoo, Filly is now ready for her next adventure—heading to the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin. Director of the Belize Zoo, Dr. Celso Poot, shared more details on Filly’s exciting move.

Dr. Celso Poot, Director, The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center

“Over the years, our program has transformed from just removing the cats from the wild and keeping them at the zoo to rehabilitating them and releasing those that can be released back into the wild with GPS collars so that we can track their movement. The whole idea is to have Jaguars and Deleuze running around wild and free the way they should be. However, some of these cats come to the zoo with injuries. They’re injured, and they cannot be released back into the wild because they would return to be conflict cats. What we do is we assess these cats. And those that can be part of the breeding program with the Species Survival Plan are then assessed reproductively to see if they are viable.”

The Jaguar Species Survival Plan is all about keeping the genetic diversity and sustainability of jaguars in zoos. Filly is the second big cat to make the journey to the Milwaukee Zoo, following Pat the Jaguar back in 2008. Excitingly, Filly is being considered as a potential mate for Pat’s youngest son, Frankie. Katie Kuhn, the assistant large Mammal Curator at the Milwaukee Zoo, will be traveling with Filly, along with a vet and Filly’s primary caretaker.

Katie Kuhn, Asst. Large Mammal Curator, Milwaukee Zoo

“Genetic diversity is important because otherwise, you get the effects of what inbreeding would look like. So the animals can get different health concerns. They can get certain diseases a lot easier. They could have deformations in their body and how they grow from the time that they’re young. So genetic diversity is very important to any population, whether it’s jaguars or whales or people. It’s important to maintain that genetic diversity so that we can have the healthiest population and individuals possible.”

As many Belizeans know, jaguars are a protected species, and Belize is proud to have the world’s first jaguar sanctuary. Filly, named after San Felipe, where she was found, is just one of several jaguars that have been rehabilitated by the Belize Zoo.

Dr. Celso Poot

“ Since 2003, the Belize Zoo has been working with the government of Belize to address and try to reduce wildlife conflict, particularly those with jaguars and cattle ranchers or livestock owners. In the past, these cats were killed indiscriminately. They were either shot or they were poisoned. And we work with the government to try and strike a balance along with farmers on how jaguars, wildlife in general, can coexist with society, with farmers, with ranchers.”

Filly is known for her calm demeanor, though she can be quite shy. At the Belize Zoo, she wasn’t put on display for public interaction. Kuhn mentioned that Filly’s new caregivers at the Milwaukee Zoo plan to respect her boundaries and give her the space she needs.

Katie Kuhn

“When Filly gets there, she’s not going to be on habitat for people to see right away. We give them plenty of time to acclimate. We go at their pace. We kind of read what they’re telling us. So she’s going to get to be in her spaces without being viewable to the public until she’s ready. So we’re going to watch her fuse and once she says I want to be out there, then she will. So we’ll keep the public informed on our end when we’re ready for that stuff. But this entire process has just been one step at a time.”

Filly has been training for her long journey for several months and the team at the Milwaukee Zoo is ready to welcome her when she arrives.

Katie Kuhn

“The staff is pretty excited. There’s been a lot of anxiety and, you know, this is a long process. It takes a lot to move any animal anywhere. Nut they’re excited to have a new friend for our jaguar. I think he’s ready. But we’re just excited to get to learn Filly and what makes tick and who she is as an individual. The staff here at zoo has done a a fantastic job with her. She knows a few behaviors already. So the staff is just really looking to continue to connect with the keepers here so that we can continue that training and her care at our zoo.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Brake for Wildlife: Protect Lives on the Road

According to the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic, every year, countless wild animals fall victim to vehicle collisions.

“These collisions leave many deaths and many with injuries so severe that euthanasia becomes the only humane option.”

It said that for creatures like birds, survival often hinges on their ability to fly—when that’s taken away, there’s no second chance.

“This year, a Keel-billed Toucan became a heartbreaking statistic. Found roadside with multiple fractures in its wing and leg, the injuries were too severe to heal. The only kindness left was to ease its suffering through euthanasia.”

The clinic said that these animals aren’t intruders—they’re simply trying to survive in their natural habitats. “Let’s do better for them.”

“Drive cautiously. Watch the road. Brake for animals. Be their voice. Be their hope. Make a difference.”

The Keel-billed Toucan is Belize’s national bird, celebrated for its vibrant plumage and striking multicoloured beak. Found in tropical forests and lowland areas, this iconic species plays a vital role in seed dispersal, contributing to the health of Belize’s ecosystems. The Keel-billed Toucan often travels in small flocks, feeding on fruits, insects, and small prey.

Despite its ecological importance and symbolic status, the toucan faces threats from habitat loss, deforestation, and human activities such as vehicle collisions.

BAHA Confirms Screwworm Infestation Contained to One Animal in Toledo

On December twenty-sixth, 2024, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) received a report about a suspicious wound on an animal in southwestern Toledo. The wound was suspected to be caused by New World Screwworm, a highly destructive parasite that typically targets livestock and other animals. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture quickly dispatched technical teams to the area for a thorough assessment. Earlier today, the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners held a press conference to share details on their response to the infestation. Here’s Doctor Roxanna Alvarez, Animal Health Director of BAHA, with more information.

Dr. Roxanna Alvarez, Animal Health Director, BAHA

“Upon arrival at the farming establishment, a six-month-old Brangus heifer was observed penned in a coral. Closer inspection found a suspicious seeping wound on her right ear near her ear tag. A total of fifty-nine larvae were removed. The wound was treated with Cyperchlor, which is cypermethrin, gentian violet, pine, and citronella oil. Comafuss powder and ivermectin was administered subcutaneous. No other wound was found on the animal and no other animals in the herd presented lesions, wounds, or infestations. The producer was informed that his farm was under quarantine and therefore he would not be allowed to move any animals in or out of the establishment. He was also advised that follow up technical visits would be necessary. He was given advice on treatment and preventative measures for his entire herd. The samples were transported to the BAHA Entomology Laboratory and preliminary findings by the BAHA Entomologist indicated New World Screwworm. We are awaiting confirmation by COPEG. The nearest positive case from the suspected case in Crique Sarco is in Modesto Mendez, Guatemala, which is approximately eleven point eight three miles in a straight line. We have been on high alert for months. As the minister mentioned, we have had an aggressive education and outreach program, coupled with active surveillance. We have done well at preventing infestations, and I must acknowledge the vital role stakeholders have played. In this specific instance, the producer, his neighbors, and the community of Crique Sarco acted with caution, consistently inspected their animals, and immediately notified us. BAHA of wounds with larvae, also known as worms. This was crucial to our immediate response.”

For more information visit:

https://edition.channel5belize.com/breaking-suspected-screwworm-case-investigated-in-toledo/

https://edition.channel5belize.com/agriculture-minister-discusses-screwworms-with-mexican-counterparts/

https://edition.channel5belize.com/belize-enacts-new-law-to-prevent-spread-of-new-world-screwworm/

https://edition.channel5belize.com/preventing-screwworms-require-behavior-change/

Ministry Suspects Screwworm Fly Travelled to Belize from Guatemala

On Thursday, a screwworm case popped up in Crique Sarco village, Toledo District, causing quite a stir. Since October, over two hundred and thirty-five technical experts have been trained in preventing and controlling New World screwworms, and four hundred and twenty-five farms and homes have been inspected for thChannel 5 Belizeese pesky pests. Belize had been free of any outbreak signs until now. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that last week’s infestation was limited to just one animal on a southern Belize farm, which has since been treated. Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, shared insights on where they believe the outbreak originated.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“How did the worms get there and Dr. Alvarez explained that it’s a fly and it flies distances. The team on the ground is doing a thorough investigation. So far, we will show you right now where the, where the case was found. There is no direct contact with the community in Guatemala, eleven miles away from Crique Sarco. For there is no connection, no road. So, if you look on the map, you will see Crique Sarco and, you look way at the, down at the corner where Belize and Guatemala meet. That, that area there is where Modesto is. That’s the last case found in Guatemala sometime last week. So, the distance between these two communities is eleven miles. So, there’s no road that leads directly from Modesto Mendez to Crique Sarco. And that is why we are assuming that the fly may have flown in from Guatemala into Belize. If you look on the Guatemala territory, south of the Sarstoon, all the cleared area you see there is all farmland. They’re all farms. So we have to assume there is a population of fertile flies, and one of them may have found his way into Belize. If you look where Crique Sarco is, it is central, Southern Toledo. And so that is why we’re assuming that the fly had to fly into Belizean territory and found an open wound. And that is where we have the case today.”

OIRSA and Belize Step Up Measures Against New World Screwworm

Belizean officials are on high alert after a case of New World screwworm (NWS) was detected in Catazaja, Chiapas, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Fermin Blanco, the country representative of OIRSA in Belize, told News Five that concerns surrounding the detection of the New World screwworm in Mexico and its potential impact on the region are being addressed. Blanco explained that the detection of the disease had raised alarms due to the damage it can cause.

He stressed that Belize remains free of the disease and that the export protocols to Mexico are unchanged for now. However, he acknowledged that if the disease was to be detected in Belize, it would lead to the implementation of stricter protocols, similar to those imposed on Guatemala, which includes increased inspections, sanitation, and measures to ensure that animals are free of ticks or flies. Additionally, animals might need to be treated with insecticides and undergo an Ivermectin injection to guarantee protection against the pest.

OIRSA, the Ministry of Agriculture, BAHA, and the Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) are working together to prevent the introduction of the New World screwworm fly into Belize. He stressed that the movement of cattle, particularly the illegal transportation of cattle from neighbouring Central American countries, plays a major role in the spread of the disease.

Blanco explained that producers would now have to manage and treat wounds in animals more carefully, as the pest is attracted to the smell of blood. Even routine practices like ear tagging and dehorning would require attention to avoid creating conditions that attract the fly.

US Suspends Mexican Cattle Imports Over Screwworm Case

The United States has temporarily halted cattle imports from Mexico following the detection of a case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Catazaja, Chiapas, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala. The announcement was made by Mexico’s government on Sunday. The severity of the threat posed by the parasitic fly can devastate livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including humans.

In its statement, the Mexican government assured that measures to control the outbreak are underway and that the suspension does not affect other exports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed receiving notification from Mexico’s chief veterinary officer, adding that NWS infestations typically enter through open wounds, where maggots feed on living tissue. The USDA is now collaborating with Mexico and Central American partners to contain the spread, urging producers to monitor livestock closely for signs of infection.

This development comes as Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, recently participated in a regional meeting in Chetumal, Mexico, focused on the prevention of exotic animal diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and screwworm.

The meeting, hosted by Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA), brought together officials from various organisations, including the Mexican Army and the National Guard, to discuss strategies for safeguarding the agricultural sector. Gabino Galván, Regional Director for SENASICA, and other experts stressed the importance of vigilance in preventing screwworm from spreading further.