By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Forest Department issued a statement confirming that it is investigating a reported incident involving the handling of a wild jaguar cub within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
The Belize Forest Department says that the video shows that the acts violate and constitute an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act, Chapter 220, Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020.
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 Forest Department has launched an investigation into the incident and is gathering all available evidence to pursue the appropriate enforcement action under the Wildlife Protection Act.
“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 Belize Forest Department said.
The post Forest Department investigating illegal interaction with jaguar cub in Mountain Pine Ridge appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Forest Department issued a statement confirming that it is investigating a reported incident involving the handling of a wild jaguar cub within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The Belize Forest Department says that the video shows that the acts violate and constitute an offence under the Wildlife Protection
The post Forest Department investigating illegal interaction with jaguar cub in Mountain Pine Ridge appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.