Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic

14/11/2025

🦇 Bats in Belize 🦇
With atleast 81(!) different species here in Belize, bats help our farms and forests by pollinating and eating tons of insects, thereby reducing mosquito and crop pest numbers! They even play a role in preventing diseases (zoonoses) from spreading as they are such a great vector-control with the amount of 🦟🦟🦟 they eat. 🌿

But remember: bats are still wild mammals and can be carriers of rabies. For your safety and theirs, never pick up, touch, or handle a bat even if it looks sick, injured or even friendly!

If you find a bat in your house, on the ground, or are worried about possible contact, do not try to move it yourself. Call our hotline: 615-5159 for advice on what to do next. 💥☎️

12/11/2025

Many thanks to the Crocodile Research Coalition, an organization we have been exceedingly proud to work alongside for a number of years! Protecting public health, our environment and the animals that we share this beautiful country with is at the center of our mission here at BWRC and YOU joining us helps us to further this cause across the Jewel. 💎😎
We do workshops countrywide, offer 15 continuing education credits and spread knowledge on a variety of topics that are crucial to upholding these values. We also have an online classroom that you can engage in and learn more about all these topics and more.
Register for the program or just reach out to us via social media or our trusted wildlife hotline (+501 6155159) if you want to be a part of this spectacular program or have any questions.
Register Here: https://forms.gle/9vJS6UxdAxWvLmQH7

Effective conservation takes a a whole community, and the CRC along with Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic are looking for wildlife ambassadors to assist us in protecting wildlife and our communities!

Sign up for the Wildlife Ambassador Program! By becoming an ambassador you join a nationwide network working together to safeguard our wildlife, people, and environment. This multi-sectoral group, ranging from enforcement officers to scouts to tour guides and indigenous leaders, can really make a difference!

As a Wildlife Ambassador, you’ll gain knowledge and skills in:

Wildlife identification

Human-wildlife conflict and Illegal wildlife trade response

Wildlife emergency response

The One Health approach and lots more!

Whatever your background is, you can be part of the change.

Register today or contact BWRC to learn more!
https://forms.gle/9vJS6UxdAxWvLmQH7

11/11/2025

Though rarely seen, Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupines can be easily identified if you do. Their most distinctive feature is their modified hairs (or quills), which function as their defense against predators. Contrary to beliefs, the porcupine CANNOT shoot its quills and can only detach on a predator once it is touched (this is also incredibly painful for these creatures). 🤕🥺

They are rarely seen since they are primarily nocturnal and arboreal, spending their time foraging for food in the canopy. They have a prehensile tail, which helps them have better mobility in the trees. 🦔🐒

If seen on the ground, this could be because they are trying to get to another tree and do not have access between patches of canopy. This behavior is the most common source of conflict that we see between porcupines- attacks from domestic dogs leading to nasty injuries for both parties. 🌳💔

Our 24/7 hotline is available for any advice on conflict or wildlife emergency, if you see wildlife in trouble or wildlife is giving you trouble just give us a call at 6155159. 🔥☎️💚

07/11/2025

Causes of Human-Wildlife Conflict 🙋‍♂️🐆🚨

Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) is a (mostly) negative interaction between humans and wildlife, often leading to a negative result on (usually) the animals. Beyond habitat loss there are two main reasons why HWC happens.

- Feeding: Can be direct feeding which causes animals to habituate and get used to humans feeding them. This causes many problems and may even cause animals to get aggressive towards humans. Indirect feeding comes from improper garbage management and leaving food scraps and pet food outside hence serving as a food source for animals. 🐊🦝
- Available access: Having holes, crevices, and open access to our homes, attics and basement provide dark and quiet environments for animals. They use this for shelter, protection and most often, for nesting. 🦇🐀🐍

So, avoiding these causes involves proper garbage management, house and yard maintenance, and NEVER feeding wildlife! Learn more at: https://belizewildlifeclinic.org/.../human-wildlife.../

06/11/2025

sHere at BWRC we embrace the One Health approach; our health, that of animals and the environment are all interconnected and true solutions take many sectors coming together to fix problems from the ground up. 🌎💚⬆️

Through the Wildlife Ambassador Program we use this approach in tackling topics such human-wildlife conflict, illegal wildlife trafficking, and zoonotic diseases (those that spread between animals and people) to name a few. 🐆🦜 🦟🦠

Other issues that call for this approach are habitat loss, pollution, food safety, road safety and so so many more! By recognizing such connections, the right groups can work together towards a healthy and resilient Belize for all who call it home. 🤝💎🏠

🧠 Can you think of any issues in your community that fall under One Health? Share them below! 👇
Register here: https://forms.gle/9vJS6UxdAxWvLmQH7

06/11/2025

🙌🙌

06/11/2025

Elena, our brave little howler from Santa Elena Town, is finally nearing her return to the wild.

She came to us with a deep, gaping wound on her right shoulder, her shoulder blade exposed, likely the result of a fight she didn’t win. For days, she struggled alone, her troop nowhere in sight, moving slowly through the trees and across backyards in Santa Elena Town.

Concerned neighbors kept calling us, trying to help her, but she always managed to stay just out of reach.

Until one day, she didn’t.

One of our team members, Godwin, gently netted her after she climbed low enough her strength fading, her eyes still full of fire.

When Elena finally arrived at the clinic, the damage was worse than we thought. Part of her shoulder blade had already died and had to be removed. What followed were weeks of pain medication, antibiotics, careful wound cleaning, and slow healing.

Bit by bit, she was placed in larger and larger enclosures rebuilding her strength and rediscovering her voice.

The day her bandage finally came off for good, it was a momentof awe.

The wound had closed, replaced by a stark scar one that tells the story of a fighter who didn’t give up. Without that care, without the people who called us, Elena would likely have died of infection, her story ending in silence.

But it didn’t.

Instead, she’s now just steps away from her release, thanks to the wonderful team at Wildtracks Belize, who will help her find a new troop and the freedom she deserves.

04/11/2025

Do you have an interest in protecting Belize’s incredible wildlife and want to make a difference in your community? 🦜🐍🐒

Sign up for the Wildlife Ambassador Program! By becoming an ambassador you join a nationwide network working together to safeguard our wildlife, people, and environment. This multi-sectoral group, ranging from enforcement officers to scouts to tour guides and indigenous leaders, can really make a difference!🌱✨

As a Wildlife Ambassador, you’ll gain knowledge and skills in:
🟡 Wildlife identification 🐍🦉
🔴 Human-wildlife conflict and Illegal wildlife trade response ❌
🔵 Wildlife emergency response 🚑
🟢 The One Health approach and lots more! 🌎❤️‍🩹

Whatever your background is, you can be part of the change. 🙌💪🏆

👉 Register today or contact us to learn more!
https://forms.gle/9vJS6UxdAxWvLmQH7

04/11/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kristen Turner () for generously bringing life-saving goodies to our clinic!

From critical care formula to comforting treats, your support means the world to our recovering patients.

We also extend deep gratitude to for their continued support in nurturing the lives we’re fighting to save.

Because of you both, hope is not just a word… it’s alive, growing, and getting stronger every day.

03/11/2025

Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for everyone who joined us at the 13th Annual Silent Auction Gala Fundraiser 2025.

You showed up for the wildlife who can’t speak for themselves. Seeing you all dressed up, full of joy and purpose, was a beautiful reminder of the compassion that binds us as a community.

Because of you, lives that might have been forgotten will now get a fighting chance. Your presence, your generosity, and your belief in a better world are the very reasons hope is still alive.

Together, through bids and registrations, we raised an incredible $20,239 a true testament to what love in action can accomplish.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. And to the incredible sponsors listed below (tagged) your support is changing the future, one precious creature at a time.

Victoria House and Spa, Martz Farm San Miguel Campgrounds Belize, Caribbean Spice Belize Hodes Place, Reimers Feed Mill
Mariesharps Germany, Chan Chich Lodge
Hot Mama's Belize, Rainforest Remedies, Craig Gair Belize Natural History Archive, Belize Ecobag

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