Environment - Greater Belize Media

Birds and Monkeys Dying from Severe Heatwave

Across the region, people have been suffering from the effects of a severe heatwave. The extreme weather conditions have led to exhaustion and dehydration, as well losses in agriculture, as brush fires are made worse by the rising temperatures. Also forced to cope with these conditions are the thousands of animals that occupy the affected areas. In recent weeks, Mexico’s southeastern tropical forest has observed the sudden deaths of monkeys, parrots and toucans as they succumb to the soaring temperatures. As Belize has also been experiencing record high weather conditions the question of how the extreme heat has been affecting our native species is being raised. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with those answers.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Across the region, birds and monkeys are dying at an alarming rate. Every year, as temperatures rise, wildlife conservationists have worked to combat the effects on animals. However, as this year continues to see severe weather conditions, they have had to double their efforts. Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, Conservation Program Manager at the Belize Zoo, gave us some insight into the issue.

On the phone: Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, Conservation Program Manager, Belize Zoo

“Typically we, obviously we’ve been in a position where we’ve had to respond to animals in distress for a variety of environmental, risks of disaster and heat and fire are among those. So yes, we do get reports of animals seeming to be disoriented dehydrated, exhausted from exposed, prolonged exposure to heat and also lack of access to water simply because the natural ponds and creeks that they would typically access do eventually dry up in the winter. in the peak of the dry season and so they have to move further afield looking for water looking for food sources and of course this itself is a pressure on the animals but then it also puts them at a higher chance of encountering humans and coming into conflict with human.”

He said that mammals and birds are some of the most affected animals, but reptiles such as iguanas and snakes have reacted poorly to the heat as well, as they struggle to regulate their body temperature. Nikki Buxton, Executive Director of Belize Bird Rescue, told us how birds are coping with the heat.

Nikki Buxton, Executive, Belize Bird Rescue

“I think they’re probably all struggling, but the beauty of birds is that they can fly and they can get away from these situations, which definitely gives them an edge over every other species that’s not flighted. And the migrants are struggling. I think they’re totally confused as to when they should migrate. And what they’re migrating into and what they travel through at that time as well. And it’s not, you know, we’re talking about fires, but it’s not just that there’s extreme weather all year round, and they encounter a lot of that during the migration patterns. But the birds that make Belize their home and the ones that rely on certain environments and have niche environments, they’re the ones that are going to suffer the most.”

Buxton said that due to the recent fires, the air quality has been especially poor for birds, affecting where they choose to build their nests. She said that there are limited resources to combat fires and that the addition of fire beaters and hoses would assist the fire service in making fires more preventable. Andrewin-Bohn says that the team at the Belize Zoo has been hard at work trying to aid the animals in beating the heat.

On the phone: Jamal Andrewin-Bohn

“So this is not new. This is over several decades where we’ve been advocating for a more mindful application of fire and utilization of resources. And so what we have done the zoo as an entity with its partners, and that’s one of the biggest. Efforts we’ve taken on to address this is we have for the last We have been part of a working group that specifically deals with fire management issues in central Belize. And it is a coalition of not just non-governmental entities, but with input and support from the Belize Forest Department. But most importantly, from communities within our area, communities that are in fire prone areas like the savannah, that have to deal with wildfires threatening their homes, their properties, their livelihoods, their health and wellbeing until it’s a collective effort to reduce the impact of fires.”

He explained that the zoo has taken additional measures to ensure that the animals survive the heatwave, such as the addition of a new pond and trucking in over two thousand gallons of water daily. Buxton said that we should try to assist the animals in any way possible.

Nikki Buxton

“I think we’ve got to think of the birds and the animals in the same way as we think of other selves. We know that that heat drives thirst. The moisture that we have in our bodies evaporates so much faster. So it would be really nice if people could think about other species on this planet and maybe provide a water source for them. We’ve got some really amazing families that are putting out drinking bottles that they’ve created from old plastic bottles, which is absolutely fantastic and also think about the domestic animals that we have. It’s not enough now just to tie a dog with a little bottle of water in this, in this temperature, we need to make sure that they have a lot like a bucket full. So I think we’ve got to be more thoughtful”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Wildfires Destroy Cadenas Outpost; Displace Several Families in Toledo

We begin tonight with the significant losses that the recent wildfires have caused to several Maya farmers in southern Belize. In San Pedro Columbia, around one hundred farmers have lost their entire farms, taking away from them the only means of survival they depended on. The fires spread to other Maya communities, doing much of the same damage to farms and rainforest in those villages. Last week, there were wildfires that were being closely monitored in Crique Jute, Mafredi and San Antonio. Another that threatened the Cadenas outpost near the Sarstoon got so grim by Friday, that the smoke in the area made it difficult for the soldiers posted at the outpost to see and breathe. Despite all efforts to save the facility, it was consumed by the flames over the weekend. While that was happening in those areas, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, NEMO, the B.D.F., the Ya’axché Conservation Trust and Toledo Institute for Development and Environment teams were out fighting fires in other communities in Toledo. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The fires that swept through several communities in the Toledo District have left significant losses in their wake. The fires became a threat to the communities from as early as last weekend when they threatened farms in several Maya villages, starting from San Pedro, Columbia. By the end of the week, the Cadenas Outpost near Graham Creek had also been consumed by the fires. Deputy Commander of the Belize Defence Force, Colonel Anthony Velasquez said the soldiers had to abandon the post.

Via phone: Col. Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander, Belize Defence Force

“We sent air reconnaissance in the area, and about Thursday, the intense smoke forced us to evacuate our soldiers from the, from Cadenas. So they took all they could with them, all movable equipment, and they evacuated to the Sarstoon F.O.B. However, they did daily patrols back to the Sarstoon area and attempted to remove other items as well. On Saturday, they returned and everything was in order, and Sunday, when they returned again the outpost was burned because of the intense wildfires.”

Chairman of San Pedro, Columbia, Basilicas Choco told us today that the teams were able to suppress the fires over the weekend, but that many of the farmers had been affected by the flames.

Basilicas Choco, Chairman, San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo

“I would say it’s more than more than 70 percent of our farmers have been affected. I don’t think we have any severe homes that are burnt. It’s just like camps that farmers usually make on their farms that store corns, other things that they have stored here, those are the buildings that are burnt down. Cacao is one of the major crops that has been destroyed, I would say about – the majority – more than 50 farmers that have cacao fields. We have farmers losing their corn, as they said. We have farmers losing other fruit trees, coconut trees, other fruit trees that they have, especially the farmers that are that live on their farm.

TIDE’s Terrestrial Manager, Mario Muschamp, said the NGO played a huge part in saving other villages from coming under threat.

Mario Muschamp, Terrestrial Manager, TIDE

“We got a call actually from the folks at Ya’axché Conservation Trust last week Tuesday afternoon, pertaining to a fire that was along the highway next to the Golden Stream Corridor Preserve Field Station. They felt that the station was threatened by this fire. And so we were called to assist them with suppressing that fire. When we got there most of the rangers from had Ya’axché had already controlled that fire. We received a call from rangers that were on patrol into the Golden Stream Corridor Reserve on the boundary line with the Columbia River Forest Reserve. They were saying that there was a fire back in there, and based on information we got from them, that fire was in there already for a couple of days. What we found was happening is there were these rocks were actually rolling down the hills, huge boulders, so it was a little scary for us, but we were able to put fire breaks around those hills to ensure that fire, those fires didn’t come down those hills and then spread off into the forest.”

NEMO spearheaded the effort to suppress the fires, evacuate villagers and has already begun assessments of the losses. Area Representative for Toledo West, Oscar Requena, toured the affected areas along with Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez. The images shared from that tour show extensive damage to the terrain and parched trees where lush greenery once existed. NEMO Coordinator, Daniel Mendez told News Five that as soon as they got the information of how grave the situation was, they mobilized the District Emergency Management Organization.

Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO

“We were able to get aerial reconnaissance to really understand the magnitude of the fires. And then we started to provide support, immediate support to the communities that were being affected. There was an on the ground reconnaissance by Honorable Andre Paris, who was the Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Reduction alongside the ever representative Honorable Oscar Requena. And based on that, it was determined that the impact was very severe, and it will require a significant amount in terms of the recovery of these areas.”

Classes in the affected villages were suspended until further notice, as assessment teams continue to monitor the smoke and visibility in those areas. Part of the operation, Mendez said involved a few search and rescue missions and placing a shelter in Crique Jute Village. While the BDF put the loss of the facility to around eighty thousand dollars and say that it will take a few weeks to replace the outpost in that southernmost area of Belize, Col. Velasquez assures that Belize’s sovereignty will not be compromised by this loss.

Via phone: Col. Anthony Velasquez

“Because it has burned doesn’t mean that we will be absent from the area. Our soldiers will remain in the area and we’ll do constant patrols as well from the Sarasota F.O.B to the area until repairs has been done.”

Muschamp warns that the hot weather conditions are a recipe for fire disasters and discourages people entering the forests from lighting fires.

Mario Muschamp

“We have been trying to tell people that during this time of the year, do not use fire because it’s harder to control, and there’s a high chance that you’ll escape. And then when you escape, you don’t know where it’s going to go, what damage it will cause. I think it’s high time now that as a country we start to promote the wise use of fires and address the laws that deals with fire. We currently have a National Wildland Fire Management Policy and Strategy sitting on a shelf that had it been put to use, we could have alleviated a lot of these problems that we’re seeing.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

MIDH Official Says Their Equipment Are Available to Fight Wildfires

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing was also called upon to assist in the firefighting efforts but Chief Engineer at the Ministry, Evondale Moody said they were not able last week because of the location where their heavy-duty equipment was at the time made it impossible for them to reach the villages. But Moody said that they are able to dispatch the equipment if necessary, this week to assist.

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH

“Last week we were in touch with NEMO as well and they had requested the assistance of MIDH to provide water trucks and also heavy equipment such as backhoes and excavators to assist them in dealing with the wildfires down south. However, because we were working in the Bella Vista area we were not able to provide that support. However, this week we expect to provide that support to them as best as we can.”

The equipment might very well be needed because late this evening, Chairman of San Pedro Columbia Village, Basilicas Choco told News Five that the fires that were suppressed and weren’t any longer a threat were again raging in the village. We’ll follow up on this story on Tuesday.

Second Hottest Day in Belize’s History According to Preliminary Data

Preliminary data indicate that today was the second hottest day in the country’s history. Belize’s hottest day was recorded in 1976 at one hundred- and ten-degrees Fahrenheit. That was recorded in Belmopan. A National Meteorological Service field station in Chaa Creek has reported temperatures as high as one hundred and eight degrees today, two degrees Fahrenheit shy of the record. But apart from the numbers, there is no denying that it has been unbearably hot over the last two to three weeks. Chief Meteorological Officer Ronald Gordon says that partially has to do with the fact that we are in May which is the hottest month of the year in Belize.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorological Officer, NMS

“That coupled with favorable conditions in terms of a high-pressure ridge that is suppressing upward motion and sort of keeping us under this sinking air and as many of us would know sinking air warms up. That is contributing to the excessive hot temperatures apart from the seasonality we know that climate change is real so the extremes we have experienced before are becoming more extreme and severe and hence the reason why we are having these temperatures. This started in early May and have been going on for the last two to three weeks now. So, a very severe heat wave across the country. To make matter worst we have a lot of wildfires and bush fires, agricultural fires, with this sort of weather condition and the increase smokiness and Sarah Dust, it is the perfect combination for the sweltering unbearable condition we have been feeling for the past few weeks. We have not done a thorough analysis at this point to tell you if it is the worst heat wave ever in terms of duration. I can say one data we have or one element we have is that it has not been the hottest ever. The hottest ever recorded, as we have said before, is a hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit and that was in Belmopan May twenty-third, 1976, and we have not reached that level of heat as yet this year and I don’t expect to get there. However, it has been comparable in some ways. We have preliminary reports from one of our weather stations in Cha Creek indicating that today may have reached a hundred- and eight-degrees Fahrenheit which is two degrees Fahrenheit less than all-time high for the country.”

When Will Belize Experience Relief from Heat Wave?

With the unbearable temperatures that Belizeans have been experiencing, the question on everybody’s mind is, when will we receive some relief? The good news is that temperatures are expected to be a bit cooler on Sunday. And according to the Chief Meteorological Officer, rains are forecasted for the early parts of June.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorological Office, NMS

“Let me first go to the short term forecast and I can say that tomorrow is not going to be any big relief, so it is not going to be any significantly cooler than today. So, it is still going to be hot tomorrow. But indications are that on Sunday, on Sunday because our winds are going to shift more to the east rather than the southeast, we are going to be a bit cooler than today, Friday and even tomorrow. So Sunday we should see some sort of relief from the excessive heat. It will still be hot because we are in the tropics, and it is May, and we are in Belize. But it is not going to be as severe heat as we saw today and tomorrow. So, the peak of this heat wave we are on it right now. Today is the peak. In terms of the long-term projections, caution your viewers that long term forecast carries a lot of uncertainty. We know that climatology speaking, late May, early June we do get the initial rains and I was looking at the model forecast going to two weeks which again I repeat have a lot of uncertainty. But there appears to be a slight shift. We see a lot of moisture coming in. There seems to be a little transition around the early parts of June into a wetter pattern. Of course, we need to monitor it and see if that comes through but climatology tells us that is what should occur at that time.”

The Importance of Water with Maya Mopan Primary School

March twenty-second was celebrated globally as World Water Day, but the conversation about protecting one of our most essential resources should extend beyond a single day. This year, the Public Utilities Commission invited schools across the country to participate in a poetry competition with the theme, “Water for Peace.” Primary school students showcased their talents, reciting spoken word poems that called for the protection of our water resources. One standout entry came from Maya Mopan Government Primary School. With a little over a hundred students, this school delivered a powerful message that captured our attention. Sabreena Daly traveled south to meet the students and learn about their message in this week’s Look on The Bright Side.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

On hot days or after a day of physical activities, the body yearns for rehydration. Whether it’s ice cold or room temperature, water is a source of survival for every living thing. It’s essential for bodily functions, ecosystems, and agriculture, making its preservation crucial for future generations. Saxil Cho participated in a poetry competition and spoke about the importance of water.

Saxil Cho, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“We drink it to stay strong and well. In baths and showers, we can tell. For plants and animals, it’s a live key. A precious resource for you and me.”

Cho was one of five students from Maya Mopan Government Primary School, who participated in a poetry competition organized by the Public Utilities Commision. Principal Magnolia Pop told us more.

Magnolia Pop, Principal, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“We wanted to show off the talent of our students here. Because most of the time, sometimes we feel like we are a forgotten school, you know, we are in the rural area. So I think this is the best opportunity for us to show what our students are capable of doing. And again, encouraging them in their writing, especially when it comes to poetry.”

Gia Teck emphasized the importance of protecting larger bodies of water, noting that while we enjoy water for leisure, we must also safeguard it, just as we do with smaller bodies of water.

Gia Teck, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“In Belize, by the Caribbean Sea, where water flows so wild and free, children play and laugh with glee as they learn of peace and harmony. Water for Peace, a theme so grand, it teaches us to work hand in hand to protect our rivers, lakes, and sea for a future where peace will always be.”

Stephanie Thomas, Teacher, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“They were talking about how important it is for them to keep the water clean. The use of water. For example, for it to water the plants. For them not to waste water. Those were some of the things that they included in their poem.”

Anya Pop, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“It’s about what’s happening on Earth and in Belize. There’s violence coming into the world, and that is how we pollute the water. It is violating the water with pollution and littering the water. And if it starts with us taking action to stop littering, and by bringing that action, it will bring it to the world, and we will have peace, like water.”

Enola Boucher, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“In Belize where the water flows, bringing peace to hearts aglow. From the Caribbean sea so wide, the caves where secrets hide. Blue hole deep, mysterious and grand. Maya mountains towering, a majestic land.”

Stephanie Thomas assisted many of the students with writing their poems. She observed that those who participated clearly understand the value of what they expressed.

Stephanie Thomas
“They did not take it for granted. One of the reasons why is because like, look at us right now. Water is needed and it’s really hot and what is keeping us active is the water. So, for them, they don’t take it lightly.”

Enola Boucher

“Well, water is part of our earth. It’s part of us as well. Water brings peace to our world. Without water, we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t survive. So then water is pretty much part of us, and it brings peace to our countries.”

Sabreena Daly

“So what was it like writing a poem like this to ensure that the public would know that water is peace and it’s important for us to preserve it?”

Enola Boucher

“Well, it was challenging and also interesting at the same time. I had to do some research, but I also had help from my family, my classmates, and my teacher.”

Anya Pop

“Water for peace. In rivers calm, peace finds its place. Oceans gigantic, a tranquil embrace. Each droplet speaks of unity. Let’s guard it with the greatest scrutiny. From kindness springs, let’s draw our sip, and wash away differences in its grip. Hand in hand, let’s spread the call, for water’s peace unites us all. Ki ki ha, se me ti du na, Agua Rica, nice water.”

Stephanie Thomas

“The message behind it is for us to know that as people we should unite together and to keep water, to remind ourselves that water is very important, not only us as people but for the animals, the plant and everything in Belize.”

Daijah Shol urged all Belizeans to do their part in recognizing the importance of water every day.

Daijah Shol, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School
“So let’s conserve and not waste. Water for peace, let’s make it a taste. Let’s share and care for every drop. In Belize, let’s make water our top. So here’s to 2024, Water Day. Let’s celebrate in a big way. Water for peace, let’s all unite. In Belize, let’s make it right.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

Worst Wildfire Residents of San Pedro Columbia Have Ever Seen

Forest fires are not uncommon at this time of the year. But reports coming out of San Pedro, Columbia are that wildfires have leveled more than fifteen hundred acres of land in the Toledo District over the last two days. These lands include an abundance of farmlands that residence cultivate to make ends meet. Area Representative Oscar Requena says he has had to join the fight over the last two days to put out fires in the community, as his property is also being affected. He says that while residents experience the destructive nature of wildfires annually, this is the worst it has ever been. Community members have been coming together to assist each other in protecting their livelihoods. But the task at hand is overwhelming and their resources are few. To add to the damage being done to farmlands, wildlife is also being lost to the inferno. Images of torched tapirs, ocelots and gibnuts have surfaced. We spoke with Requena over the phone. He told us that he believes this runaway wildfire originated from a careless farmer who left a small fire unattended.

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“This is a very serious situation that happened in San Pedro Columbia and of course over the last few days we have witnessed fires burning in many other communities, Golden Stream, Medina Bank and Crique Hute and several other communities. This dry weather has of course severely been one of the main reasons why fires have really escalated and burn a lot of farmlands in San Pedro Columbia alone. I believe that well in excess of fifteen hundred acres of land have been destroyed, farmlands. Essentially what has happened is that people’s livelihoods have been destroyed and it is very difficult for them. I believe the source of the fire is as a result of a careless farmer who was burning and really left the fire untended. There is an urgent need to put in place these strategic plans as to how the communities being impacted are going to move forward as we prepare to mitigate the severe effects of fire. I am certain that from a community perspective we need to come together and get government agencies and NGOs to come together and develop a clear strategy as to how this is going to be dealt with because fires in the Toledo District, particularly in these areas is not something new. This has been happening quite frequently, but of course this year has been one of the worst years.”

NEMO On the Ground in Toledo to Assist Wildfire Victims

According to the Toledo West Area Representative, the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, has deployed personnel to the area to conduct assessments of the damage and its impact on the community. Requena is calling for a reconnaissance mission over the area so that Belizeans can get a better understanding of all that has been lost so far. Here is what he told us.

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“What I can say is that I just spoke to the minister of NEMO and what has happened is that there has been activation on the ground and certainly here is a lot of work taking place. The first thing is to get the various agencies on the ground to conduct an assessment of what has occurred and how it is impacting the livelihoods of our people, issues associated with fires and smoke, possible health issues and really with a strategy to provide some sort of relief where possible. I want to ask that apart from just the great negative effects on the livelihoods of people it is really heart breaking to see the severe damage on the flora and fauna. You are talking about seeing tapir burnt, ocelots and gibnuts, just wildlife. It is really terrible. I want to call on the authorities to do a reconnaissance of the area and they would really, I think the nation would get a clear understanding of the damage and impact that has occurred to just lands in the Toledo District.”

Brushfires are Destructive to the Flora and Fauna

And while a vast part of Columbia Village is on fire currently, the rising temperatures are not helping the situation any. Today, a news team headed out along a portion of the George Price Highway, and while there was no burning bush along the stretch leading to the Belize Zoo, they captured evidence of wildfires that swept through the area a week or two ago. Other areas that are still burning are in the Mountain Pine Ridge, and the smoke that has drifted this way makes visibility upon the horizon difficult. Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today the brushes along the George Price Highway showed all the signs of fires that have burnt through several areas. Large tracts of land show parched trees and greenery that are left bare by the blaze that ripped through. The Forest Department trains non-government personnel on how to fight wildfires, the agriculture department tackles agricultural blazes, and the fire department deals with fires that threaten or burn property. Chief Forest Officer, John Pinelo says that if you have to light a bush fire in a rural setting, there are some specific dos and don’ts.

Via phone: John Pinelo Jr, Deputy Chief Forest Officer

“We recommend that you burn fires in the morning or in the evening if you need to burn. And if you’re going to do that, you need a fire line. You need to have clearance around your boundary so that it does not jump in somebody else’s property. Unfortunately, too often, people like their fires and they walk away and leave it and then it jumps into somebody else’s property. And that. Becomes the beginning of a wildfire that can recover on hundreds of acres, maybe thousands of acres. That is one of the major issues we have in the country right now. We have this tradition of burning bush before the rain comes so we can plant and that is what is exacerbating this issue. We’re already having this climate change problem. And we have people still burning and doing these types of activities for the environment. It is not good for the. Air people with allergies, people with asthma are heavily affected. It is bad for visibility.”

Pinelo says the degree of damage and losses that these wildfires cause to the environment is unnecessary and is preventable.

Via phone: John Pinelo Jr.

“It’s dangerous and not to mention the loss of biodiversity that we’re having not only the trees, but in the thousands and thousands of wildlife that are getting killed because of these fires. They can’t really leave for animals that can’t be their area. They get burnt, we lose all of that biodiversity because of all these fires.”

Today, the horizon near Gracie Rock was barely visible from the George Price Highway because of the tremendous amount of smoke that has been caused by wildfires. Aside from the poor visibility, the smoke also triggers respiratory issues. These are some of the experiences, aside from loss of property that villagers of Columbia are facing now.

Via phone: John Pinelo Jr.

“Right now in Columbia, there’s a huge wildfire burning people’s farms. Threatening hoses, because somebody started a fire here and it came to it until it was done. So now we have this major issue burning our forces are burning people’s houses down, burning their crops because of negligence.”

Anyone who wants to light a fire for agricultural purposes must get a permit from the Forest Department. Failure to provide evidence of this to the police can lead to arrests. Marion Ali for News Five.

Belize to Undergo Chemical Waste Management Training

Belize has signed on to an initiative that aims to develop management and disposal strategies to eliminate pesticides, chemicals, and other harmful materials in waste electrical and electronic equipment. During this project, key stakeholders in the chemicals and waste management sectors will undergo technical training on how to manage these chemicals and stabilization strategies for products containing added mercury, based on stocks identified in-country. The facilitation of the training is part of the GEF ISLANDS Projects, which is the Implementing Sustainable Low and Non-Chemical Development in Small Island Developing States program. The Department of the Environment partnered with the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for the Caribbean to execute the project. Belize is one of twelve other Caribbean nations to participate in this project.