Some Red Bank Residents Push for Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary

Local tour guides and some residents are calling for government approval of a second Scarlet Macaw sanctuary in the Maya Mountains.

The proposed sanctuary would protect key feeding grounds for hundreds of Scarlet Macaws and boost tourism, but some residents worry about potential displacement following comments from Minister Orlando Habet.

Tour guide Basilio Mes said the sanctuary is essential for both birds and the community. “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,” he said.

Mes explained the impact on local livelihoods. “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 Red Bank 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.”

He also pointed out the decline in bird numbers over the years, stating, “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.”

He added, “We saw 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.”