Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MANATEES AND MONKEYS
Belize's remarkable legacy of conservation and wildlife rehabilitation is evident throughout
the country, including at the fascinating
Manatee and Primate Rehabilitation Centre
in Sarteneja, on the edge of the Shipstern Lagoon. Run by the nonprofit Wildtracks
(
W
wildtracksbelize.org), in partnership with the Forest Department of the Government of
Belize, the centre focuses on three types of species in Belize - the West Indian manatee, the
Yucatan black howler monkey and Geoffrey's spider monkey -and follows a broad range of
rehabilitation strategies, including habitat protection, raising public awareness and
rehabilitating orphaned, injured or confiscated wildlife. The centre accepts donations and
volunteers; you don't need previous experience, but are asked to commit to a minimum
of a month. You can also arrange a day-visit to the centre; make contact in advance via
the website.
2
Shipstern is a nature-lover's paradise. The lagoon system supports blue-winged
teal, American coot, thirteen species of egret and huge flocks of American wood
stork, while the forest is home to flycatchers, warblers, keel-billed toucans, collared
aracaris and at least five species of parrot. In addition to birds, there are crocodiles,
manatees, coatis, jaguars, peccaries, deer, raccoons, pumas (though the tracks of
larger animals are more commonly seen than the animals themselves) and an
abundance of insects, particularly butterflies, which you can view at the
butterfly
farm
. Camouflaged
treehouses
throughout the reserve enable you to get good
views of wildlife without disturbing the animals, though you'll need a guide to
find them, and the
Xo-Pol Ponds
offer an unparalleled chance to see Morelet's
crocodiles and waterfowl throughout much of the year. Before trekking into the
bush, make sure to cover exposed skin with clothing and a slathering of repellent -
the bugs can be nasty.
Various
tours
are offered, including a ninety-minute tour that takes in the visitor
centre, butterfly farm and botanical trail, an early-morning birding tour
(5.30am-9.30am) and a night tour (4-8pm or 6-10pm) for spotting crocodiles and
nocturnal creatures.
Corozal and around
COROZAL
, thirty miles north of Orange Walk along the Philip Goldson Highway, is
Belize's most northerly town, just twenty minutes from the Mexican border. Its
location near the mouth of the New River enabled the ancient Maya to prosper here by
controlling river and sea trade, and two archeological sites - Santa Rita and Cerros
- are within easy reach. The town was founded in 1849 by refugees hounded south by
the Caste Wars of Yucatán, and underwent substantial reconstruction after Hurricane
Janet in 1955; today it's an interesting mix of Mexican and Caribbean culture, with
mestizos in the majority. This is a fertile area - the town's name derives from the
cohune palm, which the Maya recognized as an indicator of fecundity - and much of
the surrounding land is planted with sugar cane.
Corozal is a relaxed town to spend a few days in and perhaps use as a base for
day-trips throughout northern Belize. For its relatively small size, it has a wide
range of accommodation, from breezy waterfront resorts to family-run budget
hotels. Palm trees shade Corozal's breezy, shoreline park, while the colourful
Central Park is presided over by a clock tower. The block north of the park, where
you'll now find the post of
ce and police station, was previously the site of
Fort
Barlee
, built in the 1870s to ward off Indian attacks. Corozal celebrates Pan
American Day (October 12; also known as Columbus Day) with much fanfare,
merging Mexican fiesta with Caribbean carnival.
