Jonathan Triminio is a Belizean biologist working towards understanding the impact of pollution on crocodiles in Northern Belize. In an interview published this week, Triminio told Forbes Magazine that, growing up, he always enjoyed exploring the natural world around him. But he was also very much aware of the pollution that was affecting the local wildlife in Belize’s New River. Today, he is working at the Crocodile Research Coalition and is the Principal Investigator in their ‘Save the New River’ initiative.
Jonathan Triminio is a Biologist at the CRC. Photo by Jonathan Triminio.
“Being involved with the research of the CRC, I was able to observe the threats habitats in Belize are facing, including that of the New River, which led us to start this case study,” said Triminio to Forbes journalist Andrew Wight.
Through that project, Triminio and other partners at the CRC, like Dr.Marisa Tellez, have been working on collecting data to identify the effects of pollution on the Morelet’s Crocodile in Belize. They have also, however, been pushing to change the narrative surrounding crocs. How are they doing this? For one, they have been educating the local community on the “do’s and dont’s of living alongside wildlife.”
Read the full Forbes Magazine article here.
About Crocs in Belize
Photo by The Belize Zoo
Crocodiles play an important part in Belize’s eco-system. There are two species that are native to the country — the Freshwater Morelet’s Crocodile, found in rivers and lagoons, and the Saltwater American Crocodile found mostly in mangrove swamps.
You can see these magnificent creatures up close at the Belize Zoo as well as at the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) on Ambergris Caye.
In Jonathan Triminio’s hometown of Orange Walk, Lamanai Landings Hotel and Marina offers lagoon tours as well as crocodile night safaris.
The Crocodile Research Coalition
The Crocodile Research Coalition was founded in 2016 by Dr. Marisa Tellez. Since then, they have been dedicated to conserving crocodiles and their habitat. Located in southern Belize, the CRC has been working on facilitating research projects investigating crocodiles and educating local communities about these often misrepresented creatures. Lend a helping hand to the CRC this Christmas by donating something from their wishlist. All donations go towards conservation efforts for Belize’s crocodiles.
Feature Photo is Jonathan Triminio. This article was adapted from the Forbes Magazine article “Belize’s Crocodiles Are Tough, But Are They Surviving River Pollution?” by Andrew Wight. You can read the full article here.
