Sustainable Ecotourism at the Baboon Sanctuary in Belize
Located in Belize, the Baboon Sanctuary is a community-based ecotourism venture focused on conservation and sustainable practices. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, observe black howler monkeys in their natural habitat, and participate in activities that support the local community. The sanctuary benefits the environment, local residents, and the conservation of wildlife while providing a unique and educational experience for tourists.
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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 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
Works Cited 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
