Belize Bird Rescue (BBR) is an

avian Avian may refer to: *Birds or Aves, winged animals *Avian (given name) (russian: Авиа́н, link=no), a male forename Aviation *Avro Avian, a series of light aircraft made by Avro in the 1920s and 1930s *Avian Limited, a hang glider manufacture ...

rescue and rehabilitation centre in

Belize Belize (; bzj, Bileez) is a Caribbean and Central American country on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a wate ...

. It is a

non-governmental A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see American and British English spelling differences#-ise, -ize (-isation, -ization), spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from g ...

and

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

, and is Belize's only multi-species avian rescue and rehabilitation centre. It operates wholly within Belize under license and support from the Government of Belize Forest Department. The main focus of the organisation is the rehabilitation for release of wild-caught

psittacines Psittacinae is a subfamily of Afrotropical or Old World parrots, native to sub-Saharan Africa, which include twelve species and two extant genera. Among the species is the iconic grey parrot. The '' Poicephalus'' are usually green birds with d ...

(parrots) liberated from the illegal local pet trade. As of July 2017, Belize Bird Rescue has returned more than 450 ex-captive parrots to the wild. Additionally, the organisation rescues and rehabilitates injured and orphaned resident and migratory birds of all species, and provides sanctuary or long-term care for non-releasable birds. BBR works in close cooperation with the Government of Belize Forest Department and with other NGOs and non-profit organisations in Belize including the Toledo Institute for Environment and Development, Programme for Belize, Belize Bird Conservancy and the Belize Audubon Society. BBR's work includes the rehabilitation of

parrot Parrots, also known as psittacines (), are birds of the roughly 398 species in 92 genera comprising the order Psittaciformes (), found mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: the Psittacoid ...

songbird A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds (Passeriformes). Another name that is sometimes seen as the scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin ''oscen'', "songbird". The Passeriformes contains 500 ...

raptor Raptor or RAPTOR may refer to: Animals The word "raptor" refers to several groups of bird-like dinosaurs which primarily capture and subdue/kill prey with their talons. * Raptor (bird) or bird of prey, a bird that primarily hunts and feeds on ...

s and

waterbirds A water bird, alternatively waterbird or aquatic bird, is a bird that lives on or around water. In some definitions, the term ''water bird'' is especially applied to birds in freshwater ecosystems, although others make no distinction from seabi ...

for release. The centre's facilities include multiple specialist and species-specific

aviaries An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds, although bats may also be considered for display. Unlike birdcages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flight cages. Avi ...

, a medical clinic, nursery and quarantine facilities and food preparation rooms.

History

Origins

BBR was founded in 2004 and is located in the capital city of

Belmopan Belmopan () is the capital city of Belize. Its population in 2010 was 16,451. In addition to being the smallest capital city in the continental Americas by population, Belmopan is the third-largest settlement in Belize, behind Belize City and Sa ...

. Its founding directors realised a need to assist the Belize Forest Department in providing a rehabilitation centre for confiscated or surrendered avian wildlife during the enforcement of the wildlife laws. The basis of the organisation was to care for and rehabilitate wild-caught psittacines, but became a multi-species rescue centre over the years out of necessity. The organisation was incorporated as a registered non-profit company in Belize in 2014, and received non-governmental organisation status in 2015.

Funding

BBR was initially funded by its founders. Following the award of NGO status in 2015, BBR is funded by private donations, crowd-funding and grants. The annual operating budget is approximately US$85,000.

Priorities and campaigns

Forest Department licence programme

A programme for licensing parrots already in captivity was devised by BBR in conjunction with the Belize Forest Department to provide a mechanism for parrots already in captivity to remain legally with their owners, provided that minimum standards of husbandry and care were followed.

Rehabilitation facility

BBR's facility for the long-term care and rehabilitation of confiscated birds allows the Belize Forest Department to enforce the Wildlife Protection Act. Amazona oratrix -eating in tree-8

Yellow-head hand-rearing project

Endangered

yellow-headed amazon The yellow-headed amazon (''Amazona oratrix''), also known as the yellow-headed parrot and double yellow-headed amazon, is an endangered amazon parrot of Mexico and northern Central America. Measuring in length, it is a stocky short-tailed gree ...

(''Amazona oratrix'') chicks are removed from nests that are overcrowded or in danger of being poached or predated, or suffer from exposure or destabilisation. They are hand-reared at the rescue centre until fledged and independent and then soft-released back into monitored and protected release sites.

Education and public awareness

The organisation employs several awareness strategies including educational presentations, community outreach programmes, publications, exhibitions and advertising.

References

External links

* {{Sustainability Bird conservation Animal rescue groups Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation centers 2004 establishments in Belize