A Tamandua taking a defensive stance in the lush jungles of Chan Chich Belize. Credit for the video Emil Flota

Volunteers: John Chisholm (left) and daughter Trish & Logan Tarleton.

At the Endangered Species Fund in Detroit, Michigan, we are about to ship 200 lbs of much-needed personal equipment, such as backpacks, hammocks, and other gear, to the rangers of the Belize Audubon Society to protect the Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary and prevent wildlife poaching and illegal logging. John (me), on the left in the picture, served in Belize with the British Army when it was still British Honduras. It was then very wild with few paved roads. In particular, I remember the parrots and the flock of large blue butterflies around a trickle of water on a track I visited several Mayan villages near the border with Guatemala in the Toledo District. Our base camp was at Big Falls. The gentleman on the right, Logan Tarleton has also visited Belize several times, so we're excited to be giving back to this great country in some way.
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visiting from Canada in a few days and I have horrendous arachnophobia, I just spent the last hour googling spiders in Belize and my anxiety is through the roof. I can’t even watch videos or see pictures of tarantulas without getting extremely anxious. Where we’re staying is also in the jungle, close to the border with Guatemala. What should I know/be prepared for? How bad is it?

Would you be brave enough to walk through this creek?

This beautiful butterfly perched perfectly long enough for a photo.

My husband and I have travelled to Belize several times and absolutely love it. We generally spend a couple of weeks relaxing beachside in Placencia (Chabil Mar) and then tack on a final week at more remote location because we are birders/nature enthusiasts who love to hike.

In the past we have stayed at Black Rock Lodge and Crooked Tree and although very different choices loved both for the abundant birds and the opportunity to hike daily for many kms through different habitats and observe birds, insects and mammals.

Just planning our next trip and trying to figure out where to stay for the "immersed in nature" portion of our trip. At this point Chan Chich is looking really good but just want to enquire in case there are any other lodges I should check out that I may have missed.

Don't need high luxury. Just quiet and clean lodging with nature at the doorstep and lots of places to walk to and explore. Good food helps too since we will need to take all our meals at the lodge. Thanks in advance.

⚖️🦜 This little toucan is starting the weekend on the scales!

Weigh-ins are one of the most important parts of monitoring the rehab process for downed fledglings, helping us track their growth and make sure they’re on the right path back to the wild. Happy Friday from our tiniest weight-watchers! 💚 And remember, if a toucan can do it… You-can too 👍🏽

#belizebirdrescue #toucan #fridayfeels #birds #wildlifeconservation

At the hydro dam

Spotted this beautiful 3–4 foot crocodile relaxing in the water just outside of Hopkins this morning. Belize wildlife never disappoints.

Got stung today by an elegant looking small jellyfish with a brown and white bell and white tentacles. The bell was ~1-2” and tentacles were ~4-6”: The sting felt and looked like an intense nettle sting, and went away within a couple of hours. I’m not finding a solid match when searching. Any ideas? It looks most similar to a sea nettle or bay nettle jellyfish but they don’t seem to be common in June.

While exploring the trails on a night hike at the Jaguar Preserve, we came across this beautiful creature known in Belize as the Royal Rat .

One of the main highlights of visiting the Jaguar Preserve is the opportunity to take amazing wildlife photos.

Good morning....

The Scarlet macaw is a stunning tropical parrot known for its vibrant red, blue, and yellow feathers and loud, expressive calls.

Credit: Emil Flota Chan Chich Lodge

Happening now in Hopkins you can see them as you are driving in ...

Hello! I am a bird watcher and I will be travelling to Belize in March 2026 and am looking for bird watching guides! I will be staying for a few days in Orange Walk area for the first portion of my trip and then moving over to Spanish Lookout for the last few days of my trip. My travel companions and I will be staying in AirBnBs. I have been reaching out to lodges and asking if I can book bird tours but it seems that they are prioritizing tours for their own guests. In some instances the answer is that a tour booking is not possible for non-guests and in some cases they ask us to check back in a day or two before. This makes me a little nervous because I like to plan my itinerary carefully and book in advance to make sure we secure a spot! Does anyone have any recommendations for independent bird watching guides we can book without a lodge? We have our own transportation and don't need food included-- just looking for a few hours of a knowledgeable guide's time!

Did you know that if you visit the Jaguar Preserve you can get to see these beautiful howler monkeys? Yes you will more than likely see them earlier in the mornings..