BWCN Conference 2011
New Wildlife Legislation and Public Awareness discussed with Forest Department and NGOs
On September 3rd and 4th the Belize Wildlife Conservation Network (BWCN) held its 2nd national Conference since its inception in 2009.
Wildlife experts from around the country met with officers from the Belize Forestry Department to discuss the details of the Wildlife Order - draft legislation detailing a fee-paying permit system governing the licensing, care and conditions of captive wildlife. The proposed legislation details the minimum standards affecting the physical and mental well being of all captive wildlife in Belize, including those held by organisations in facilities sanctioned by the Forest Department, or wildlife currently kept by individuals as companion animals. Once the legislation has been implemented, each captive bird or animal will require a licence issued by the Forest Department with licence holders subject to inspection to ensure conditions are in compliance.
Participants suggested an amnesty period for those currently in possession of captive wildlife before fines would be levied against non-permitted handlers. The legislation is primarily designed to control the illegal trade and mistreatment of wildlife commonly held as pets, such as parrots, monkeys, coati, racoons and even dangerous animals such as crocodiles and snakes.
Rasheda Garcia, the Wildlife Education Officer for the Forest Department explained how valuable the knowledge and assistance of the BWCN members had been to the Department during the latest updates to the Wildlife Protection Act and the Wildlife Order. Ms. Garcia suggested that the next step will be a final review process, once again to be facilitated by the BWCN, which will allow wildlife stakeholders to contribute their expertise toward a final draft of the Wildlife Order.
Ms Garcia took the opportunity to assure conference participants that the principal role of the Forest Department in wildlife protection continued to be to educate the public about the wildlife laws; to inspect conditions in which wildlife are kept; to ensure compliance with minimum standards of diet and housing conditions; to evaluate the psychological welfare of captive birds and animals in each instance, and to enforce the Wildlife Protection Act.
BWCN Director, Dr. Isabelle Paquet-Durand stated that feedback from participants suggested that the conference was productive in providing valuable wildlife legislative expertise and brought to attention the need for continued input from stakeholders on all issues affecting wildlife in Belize, including public education and awareness and addressing human-wildlife conflict.
Dr. Paquet-Durand looks toward the future when two years of wildlife legislation work will be coming to an end and the Network can focus on assisting BWCN members with education and public awareness strategies. She and BWCN Secretary Frankie Miller aim to incorporate all wildlife conservation stakeholders into the Network and increase the use of the BWCN website to further communication and cooperation between the Forest Department, NGOs and the general public.
Individuals or entities interested or participating in the final review process of the Wildlife Order, or who wish to know more about the BWCN can contact the Network through their website www.wildlifebelize.com
The Forest Department and BWCN would like to thank the conference sponsors: San Ignacio Hotel, Darwin Initiative, Caves Branch and Daniel Velasquez (film crew).