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Explore how ecotourism benefits locals and conserves the black howler monkeys' habitat at the Baboon Sanctuary in Belize. Visit for guided tours, nature experiences, and community involvement.
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Ecotourism A study on: Baboon Sanctuary , Belize, HONDURAS Research by: Keziah Theresa Quarshie
Belize is located in Central America and was formerly known as British Honduras. • Despite its small size (23,0000 sq. km), a greater percentage of the land is dedicated to natural reserves and parks. • Ecotourism in Belize, is very crucial and the tourists themselves play a role in protecting the environment. • For example, tourists are encouraged not to purchase artefacts made from any protected species in Belize. Belize, Honduras
Location and Accessibility • The Community Baboon Sanctuary is a community based tourism venture founded in 1985 , to encourage voluntary citizen conservation. • It is located in Ladyville Village, 43 km from Belize City along the Belize River. It is also, 30 minutes from the Belize Phillip Goldson International Airport. • Road conditions between Belize City and the baboon sanctuary are very good. • The public bus from the city to the sanctuary cost $1.75. The Baboon Sanctuary
Sustainability • The Community Baboon Sanctuary is a cooperative venture of landowners who are mainly subsistence farmers. • These landowners have agreed to adopt practices that preserve the natural habitat of the black howler monkeys, known as Baboons. • The focus on land along the Belize river allowing baboons to swing from tree to tree. • Owners of the land are required to protect trees along the property fence line and preserving food trees for the black howlers. • Recently, about 200 landowners from different villages are involved in this to preserve the species and also reap the benefits pulled in by the tourist site The Baboon Sanctuary
Attractions • There are many attractions at the Community Baboon Sanctuary. • These include, restaurants, hotels, and guided tours. • Tourists can pay the low price of $7 to have a close up view of the baboons for about 45 minutes to an hour. • There is also a guided canoe tour through the jungle for about 2 and ½ hours which costs $50 per person. • The Community Baboon Sanctuary also organizes a crocodile night adventure where tourists can go out with headlamps and canoes to spot crocodiles. The Baboon Sanctuary
Benefits to locals. • The local residents have more employment opportunities. • Many of the sanctuary employees help the local residents. • Many residents enjoy living with the black howlers and protecting their habitat. • The subsistence farmers have never been threatened with the creation of The Community Baboon Sanctuary. • All the revenue goes to the local participants. The Baboon Sanctuary
Demerits to locals • The baboons take the fruit and cashew nuts from the farmland. • The locals complain that they are not involved with management as much as they would want to. • A larger percentage of the revenue goes to improve the area and not necessarily the lives of the locals. The Baboon Sanctuary
Benefits to the country • The Community Baboon Sanctuary reels in a lot of revenue for Belize which goes to maintaining the area and compensating the locals who have made a commitment to preserve the place. • Tourism is rapidly increase and this also helps create awareness for the preservation of the baboons. The Baboon Sanctuary
Challenges • There is a rapid increase in development along the coastal line which threatens the reserves for the black prowlers. The Baboon Sanctuary
Maintaining Ecotourism • Tourists are encouraged to save water and electricity. • They are encouraged to shop carefully ensuring they do not purchase anything made from real animals. • They are also encouraged to donate to community based tourist programs. • They are encourage to reduce their ecological footprint so at to not destroy other natural resources like coral reefs. The Baboon Sanctuary
“Cultural Survival”, https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/belize/role-belize-residents-struggle-define-ecotourism-opp . Web 8.02.16 • http://www.howlermonkeys.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/copy-logo2.jpg • “Belize’s lessons in eco-tourism” http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20120202-travelwise-belizes-lessons-in-eco-tourism. Web 8.02.16 • “Eco-Tourism: Community Baboon Sanctuary; Belize City, Belize”http://www.bucketlisttc.com/eco-tourism-community-baboon-sanctuary-belize-city-belize/. Web 8.02.16 • “Ecotourism in Belize” http://www.belize.com/eco. Web 8.02.16 Works Cited