By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Forest Department issued a statement saying that it is investigating a reported incident involving the handling of a wild jaguar cub within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
According to the social media post, a group of individuals approached a female jaguar and her cub along a logging track within the reserve. Thereafter, an individual can be seen following the cub and ultimately touching (“petting”) it, while another expressed a desire to hold the animal. The post further states that the mother jaguar had retreated into nearby vegetation.
The Belize Forest Department reminded that the Wildlife Protection Act defines “to hunt” as “to kill, take, or molest by any method, and includes attempting to kill, take, or molest by any method any species of wildlife.”
The Act further prohibits any person from:
Hunting any protected species of wildlife;
Hunting any obviously immature wildlife; or
Hunting any female accompanied by its young.
“Beyond the legal implications, the behaviour described is extremely dangerous and could easily have resulted in serious injury or loss of life. Female jaguars are highly protective of their young and may respond aggressively when they perceive a threat. Wildlife should never be approached, touched, handled, cornered, or separated from their young under any circumstances,” the Forest Department explained.
In addition, the department says that the public can practice responsible wildlife viewing by observing wildlife from a safe distance and never touching, feeding or chasing wild animals.
“Belize’s wildlife is part of our national heritage. Protecting it requires respect for the law, responsible behaviour, and accountability when those laws are violated. The Forest Department takes all wildlife offences seriously and is committed to enforcing the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act for present and future generations,” the department added.
The post Belize Forest Department reminds public of implications for violations of Wildlife Protection Act appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Forest Department issued a statement saying that it is investigating a reported incident involving the handling of a wild jaguar cub within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. According to the social media post, a group of individuals approached a female jaguar and her cub along a logging track
The post Belize Forest Department reminds public of implications for violations of Wildlife Protection Act appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
