Success in Chiquibul National Park

This year Friends for conservation and Development in Belize launched their Anti-poaching Strategy, and after only one week in operation they captured one poacher with seven Scarlet Macaw chicks in a cage. The second poacher unfortunately escaped but it was a success and sends a clear message out to to the perpetrators of wildlife crime. Each Scarlet Macaw chick can sell for upwards of $3000 each and unfortunately 88 percent die in the illegal movement to the commercial market. With only 55 mating pairs in Chiquibul National Park ASA is extremely pleased with this result and that all seven chicks survived captive rearing and will shortly be released back into the wild. (pictured above)