Pregnant Deer with Twins Killed: “This Is Why We Close Seasons”

Five men were detained on Saturday morning in the Los Tambos area, Cayo District, for illegally hunting deer during the closed season.

Photographs released by the Belize Forest Department to News 5 show three adult white-tailed deer laid out on a blue tarp, including one female deer that had already been skinned.

Forest officers said the skinned doe was pregnant. The unborn twins had been removed from her womb.

A live fawn was also found in the group’s possession.

“This is why we close seasons because they are pregnant or with young, and it is illegal to hunt when they are in these stages,” said Victoria Chi, a department’s forest officer.

Deer hunting is currently prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act. Female deer are protected from July 1 to February 28 of the next year, while males may only be hunted between 1 October and 30 June.

Offences carry fines of up to $10,000 or one year’s imprisonment. Members of the public can report illegal hunting to 610-1524.