Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The group stayed at Cockscomb from June 2-8. During the day, they hiked trails, swam in waterfall pools, visited the Cahal Pech and Mayflower Mayan ruins, went cave tubing at Jaguar Paw. At night they listened to lectures from Dr. Joe as well as the director of the Belize Audobon Society and the Cockscomb jaguar researcher. Elisa, Becky and Dee Dee heard a cat growl at them twice at Mayflower but never saw one. Dr. Joe was the only one who endured botfiles (spiny larvae that grow under the skin) and had to have them removed upon returning to NC.

While there, the group met several hikers from Australia, Guatemala and England. Alejandro, the Guatemalan, was a great birder who obviously spent far too much time alone as he actually talked more than Dr. Joe. The group was also fortunate to have the president of the Cruise Ship Association act as their guide for the cave tubing and at Cahal Pech. The dramatic increase in tourists from the cruise industry has caused Becky to rethink her PhD project. The Belizean govenrment is trying to determine how to handle the influx of people and how their presence and carelessness could destroy the underwater habitats.

Cockscomb

---

Cahal Pech

---

---

cave tubing at Jaguar Paw

---

---

Mayflower Mayan ruins

---