Public Consultation Held on Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary

Last week, we took you to Red Bank Village, where the government is proposing a second sanctuary in the Maya Mountains, a prime feeding ground for hundreds of Scarlet Macaws and a potential tourism hotspot. But that plan has stirred controversy. Residents say they were left out of the conversation and are worried after comments from Minister Orlando Habet suggesting some farmers might have to relocate if the sanctuary goes ahead. Tonight, we’re back in Red Bank for a public consultation, where local tour guides are speaking up about why they believe the sanctuary is vital for the community. According to tour guide Basilio Mes, their earlier meeting with Minister Habet was all about raising concerns over developments in the macaw feeding grounds, areas where these guides make their living.

 

Basilio Mes, Local Tour Guide

“I think it all started out, I would say early last year whereby a certain individual in Red Bank started to survey the Scarlet Macaw Hills, which is those hills that you see in the background over there. That’s the feeding grounds of the Scarlet Macaw. And so because of that, myself and a few guides approached the village council not knowing that the Ministry of Sustainable Development already approached them about protecting these hills right here. I think because of that is the reason why we had to go in all out now for the protection of the feeding grounds of these magnificent birds.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So the hills that were surveyed and potentially, to be sold. How exactly would that impede on the work that you guys do?”

 

Basilio Mes

“It would be, very bad for us as we will not be able to come and work in our area anymore. The people in the community of Redbank won’t be able to access these hills anymore once it goes into private hands. That is why we are pushing for a sanctuary two whereby. Everybody, including myself, the tour guides the villagers of Red Bank. The farmers can still have access to these hills and can still go and collect whatever they need on the hills for their personal use sustainably. When we first came here, there would’ve been thousands of birds that would fly and feed on exactly where we’re standing right now and on those hills over the years. We saw that the numbers decreased to just a couple hundred birds at one point. And that’s probably because of our of human intervention, encroaching in their natural habitat.”