Community Baboon Sanctuary
A Grassroots Conservation Project
Found February 23rd, 1985
The Community Baboon Sanctuary was established in 1985 to protect one of the few healthy black howler monkey population in Central America. Unlike any other existing wildlife management project in the world, the sanctuary is a completely volunteer, grassroots conservation program dependent upon the cooperation of private landowners within active farm communities.The eight villages and the dozens of landowners making up the sanctuary are active and vital conservation partners in the sanctuary effort. Through sustainable land use practices and voluntary cooperation, sanctuary members are helping to ensure the future of the black howler monkey and its habitat in Belize.
The black howler monkey, know locally as "baboon" is an endangered species which has a very limited range including, Belize southern Mexico and isolated areas of Guatemala. It is one of the six howler monkey species found in Central and South America. One of the most remarkable traits of the howler monkey is its loud, rasping howl which can be heard carrying across the forest for well over a mile.
The black howler typically lives in troops of 4 to 12 individuals with a dominant male heading the troop. The monkeys are strict vegetarian eating a wide variety of leaves, flowers and fruits. Like other monkeys, howlers nurse their young, defend territory, use hands in feeding and communicate with facial expressions similar to humans. In addition to the numerous howler troops, an abundance of other animal life is found within the sanctuary. Nearly 200 bird species have been identified along with hicatees, iguanas, armadillos nd many other species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
The Babylon Sanctuary is located within the lowland, broad-leaved forest of north-central Belize. Most of the sanctuary is covered with riparian forest which parallel the meandering Belize River. Interpretive trails which cut through the mosaic of forest and agricultural area provide visitors a first hand view of the diversified habitats.
With financial support from the World Wildlife Fund, a small natural history museum and visitors center has been erect in Bermudian Landing. The Zoological Society of Milwaukee Country nd the Smithsonian Institution has provide the funding necessary for the preparation of appropriate displays in the museum.
| Nature Trail Walks | 5.00 |
|---|---|
| Night Hikes | 10.00 |
| Canoe Trips | 12.50 |
| Canoe Rental | 5.00 per hr./prsn |
| Horse Back Riding | 10.00 per hr. |
| Fishing - lunch included | 25.00 |
| Crocodile Tours | 30.00 |
| Camping | 2.50 |
| Tour of Community Baboon Villages to Visit Jam Factory & Creole Cultural Center | 20.00 |
All Prices in US dollars
| Double Occupancy (with a /family) | 12.50 |
|---|---|
| Single Occupancy | 7.50 |
| Breakfast | 2.50 |
| Lunch | 2.50 |
| Dinner | 3.50 |
| Dessert | 1.00 |
| Juice | 1.50 |
All Prices in US dollars
Community Baboon Sanctuary
P.O. Box 1428
Belize City, Belize
Tel: 021-2181
Email: baboon@btl.net
For more information contact: Belize Tourist Board
1-800-624-0686
501-2-31925
Belize Audubon Society
501-2-34987/8
Fax: 501-2-34985
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