Eight conservationists. Eight conversations. All over a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee. On Earth Day 2023, The Belize Collection of Resorts launched a new series that shines a spotlight on the blue and green conservation efforts taking place across the country. Born from a desire to make a meaningful impact on the world of sustainability and conservation in Belize, Coffee with Conservationists aims to highlight all the hard work that goes into protecting and preserving our natural resources. Here’s what to expect from the new YouTube series, including its inaugural episode.
Episode 1 – The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center
The “Best Little Zoo in the World” is less of a zoo and more akin to a wildlife sanctuary. Rather than the concrete jungles that many have grown to associate with zoos, the Belize Zoo conjures up images of lush greenery amidst winding pathways. According to Conservation Program Manager, Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, that is because the Belize Zoo, while only about 40 years old, has been ahead of the conservation game since its establishment.
Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, The Belize Zoo. Photo by the Belize Collection
“Most accredited zoos that have a true commitment to wildlife globally are moving away from this model and ensuring that, if they do house wildlife, the spaces that they have set up are to the best capacity for providing for the needs of those animals,” said Andrewin-Bohn in the premiere episode of Coffee with Conservationists.
The episode was recorded at The Lodge at Sleeping Giant. Nestled in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, the resort sits on the edge of one of Central America’s largest forests, dwarfed in size only by La Selva Maya in the northern part of the country.
Photo by The Lodge at Sleeping Giant
The Belize Zoo began as a small sanctuary, birthed from one small act of selflessness, for animals left behind after a documentary wrapped up filming. And ever since that day in 1983, the zoo’s core mission has remained the same.
“We have not strayed from that foundation. Every single animal at the Belize Zoo is there because they needed help in some way,” said Andrewin-Bohn.
Valentina the Tapir was a rescue found by Belize Defence Force soldiers in March 2023
Still, there are challenges, with loss of wildlife habitat to development and investment being a major one.
“The rate of development and sale and habitat conversion in Central Belize within even the last five years has been shocking.”
From the colorful story of the zoo’s foundation to heartwarming tales of rescues and the struggle to preserve wildlife habitats, Coffee with Conservationists takes a deep dive into the important role that the Belize Zoo has continued to play in Belize’s world of conservation. Check out the full episode here.
About Coffee With Conservationists
According to the Belize Collection, the goal of the recently launched series is simple. It is to share the message of each featured organization and educate locals and tourists alike. It also hopes to inspire any potential conservationists.
Coffee with Conservationists is sounding the call to join the conservation cause in Belize. This year’s interviews will feature experts in fields ranging from ocean to wildlife conservation. In addition to The Lodge at Sleeping giant, episodes were also filmed at the Lodge at Jaguar Reef, set on the sandy shores of Hopkins village.
Photo by The Lodge at Jaguar Reef
Up next in May, get the chance to learn all about the efforts to maintain the pristine beauty of Belize’s turquoise seas with Oceana Belize’s Janelle Chanona.
The full lineup of conservationists and organizations to be featured this year include, in order:
- Jamal Andrewin-Bohn, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center
- Janelle Chanona, Oceana Belize
- Nikki Buxton, Belize Bird Rescue
- Jamal Galves, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
- Emma Sanchez, Panthera Belize
- Sharon Young, Blue Ventures
- Dr. Marisa Tellez, Crocodile Research Coalition
- Kirah Forman-Castillo, MSc., MarAlliance
For the latest on the new series, subscribe to The Belize Collection’s YouTube Channel here. Learn more about the upcoming episodes on The Belize Collection website.
Featured Photo by The Belize Collection
