Wildtracks’ Program for Manatees and Monkeys: Help Me Deliver Formula to The Babies

Just across the lagoon, just outside the mainland fishing village of Sarteneja, is an amazing AMAZING place.  It’s called Wildtracks.  Started in 1990 by Zoe and Paul Walker down a long muddy road into the wilderness – they went from fostering one manatee to running a large conservation, research and education program with a huge mission.

Belize has a tendency to give you as much as you can handle – and soon after, it pushes the limits…again and again.  These guys are doing absolutely jaw-dropping work.

See Izzy – a spider monkey who was shot by poachers

One manatee turned into a manatee rehabilitation center – the only one of its kind in the country – and then a monkey rehabilitation center (when in 2010, the facility that was doing this closed)  as they help to end the illegal pet trade and practice in Belize.

My photo from July 2014

They now care for and work with manatees, monkeys and host scores of long-term volunteers to take on this monumental task.

See Hope – the smallest manatee ever found – washed up into someone’s yard during last August’s Hurricane Earl

It’s an absolutely amazing operation.  Because of the animals’ sensitivities and the ultimate goal of release into the wild, Wildtracks is not open to the public.  But I was able to visit with some visiting veterinarians in the summer of 2014.

Since 2010, Wildtracks has taken in 107 monkeys and successfully released 49.  Many which have their own babies.  They currently have 53 monkeys in rehab and 5 manatees.  The baby spider and howler monkeys need 24 hour care and lots of nourishment

Now my friends and I have a chance to go back.  And we wanted to bring something to help…

BABY FORMULA!  And I’m hoping you wouldn’t mind helping.  Here’s my plan.

We found out which type of formula that the babies drink.  Enfamil 1 only.  In the gold can.  It is about $28bzd a can here and sold at many local stores.  Here it is in town’s Super Buy.

I put together this graphic…

Wildtracks and the many volunteers are providing the love and care…the least we can do is send them milk!  BABY MONKEYS!

Fact:  Only monsters don’t like baby monkeys and manatees.

So here is the plan.  To bring the babies a shipment of milk from San Pedro (and from San Pedro & Belize lovers).  Starting Monday, there will be signs at many stores around town where you can buy the formula.

Buy a can and drop it off at our Drop Off Spots.  Right now they are:  The Baker, about 1 mile south of San Pedro town and the bar at The Truck Stop about 1 mile north of town.

There will be a Sharpie for you.  Write a message to the monkeys on the top of the can (or decorate it!) — mine might look like this.  I might even add some fun stickers.

Surely monkeys like stickers.

And on April 25, I’ll take the Thunderbolt water taxi over to Sarteneja, stay at Fernando’s Seaside Guest House and then head over to WILDTRACKS WITH ALL THE FORMULA.

I’ll deliver the milk, highlighting all the great messages you sent in the blog and social media (unless you are a secretive, Greta Garbo type anonymous donor) and let everyone know exactly WHO is going to be enjoying this care package.

You can read about Little Bean – found covered in ants!

So let’s do it!  I’m super excited to visit and even more excited to help bring food for these babies.

And if you are not in Belize and would like to help, you can send me money ($25bzd is the cheapest I’ve seen it on the island) on Paypal ([email protected]) WITH YOUR MESSAGE!  Don’t forget your name and your message.

I’ll turn the money into formula and write your message on the can for the monkeys.

LOOK FOR THESE SIGNS AROUND TOWN TOMORROW!  I’ll let you know EXACTLY where they will be.

 

 

 

 

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