Environment Minister Calls Jaguar Incident A Teaching Moment

The viral video of two men cornering and handling a jaguar cub in Mountain Pine Ridge has sparked anger across Belize. Conservationists say the encounter put both the animal and the men at risk and may have violated wildlife protection laws. But as authorities consider possible charges, Sustainable Development Minister Orlando Habet is urging the public to see the incident as more than a call for punishment. He says it should become a national teaching moment about respecting wildlife and understanding the dangers of interfering with animals in their natural habitat.

 

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“Listen, I think that for all of us, and I know that you’d agree with me, that education is key. It is paramount, not only for the foreigners for us as Belizeans. Yes we have to be mindful that this was something that he shouldn’t have done because we have legislation in place. Many times some people may not know, so we have to educate them. As mentioned by Dr. Paquet in the interview that you also did was that she said, “Yes, it’s a crime,” but some of the people on Facebook were advocating that listen that cub will not find its mother, the mother will reject it. I’m an animal scientist so I know about bonding. I know about imprinting, how far it and how early it happens and some of it can happen but doesn’t really happen in general. But to say that we’ll put out a notice to arrest this person if he reaches the airport or something like that, and to have sort of a manhunt, I think that’s excessive. It goes beyond what we are supposed to do. But I think the information, the education certainly, and not only from ourselves. The zoo can help, our partners. And I think I saw a post from the Director of the zoo who also mentioned it and is assisting the people who are into wildlife conservation and management. I think they have also mentioned it. And so it is a collaborative effort among ourselves. I strongly believe and I have said it before, not every single thing needs strong policing because then it turns back against you. Education, education, education.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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