BFREE Press Release, 1 October 2020
1 October 2020
Press Release: Fourth Annual Hicatee Awareness Month – Be a Hicatee Hero!
Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE), Turtle Survival Alliance, and our partners invite you to join us in the celebration of the fourth annual Hicatee Awareness Month. This October, we invite all Belizeans to put on a cape and transform into Hicatee Heroes. Together we have one task – to save the critically endangered Hicatee turtle.
The Hicatee turtle is the only living species in an ancient family dating back 65 million years. Once widespread they now exist as remnant populations in parts of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. The species is undergoing rapid and severe decline due to overhunting for human consumption. The hicatee is now critically endangered and in need of greater protection and innovative conservation actions. Belize offers the highest chance for its survival.
Thanks to the hard work of a committee of talented artists and committed conservationists, we created all new materials for this year’s Hicatee Awareness Month. These include songs, videos, games and activities that are fun and educational for all ages. We are also resharing some of the materials that have been favorites in the past. With Covid-19 restrictions in mind, we have created all virtual activities so that even if you are stuck at home, you don’t have to miss out.
Follow BFREE Belize on Facebook (@BFREEBelize) and Instagram (@BFREEBZ) throughout October to participate in the celebration. The hicatee is disappearing, but together we can save it. Be a Hicatee Hero!
For interview requests, quotes from Hicatee Awareness Month Committee Members, to be added to our email list for updates, or additional information on BFREE’s conservation efforts to save the critically endangered hicatee, please contact Ms. Ornella Cadle at education@bfreebz.org.
Hicatee Conservation Educational Resources: https://www.bfreebz.org/2020-hicatee-resources/
Take Action, be a Hicatee Hero: https://www.bfreebz.org/hicatee-actions/
Photo of an adult male hicatee at BFREE’s HCRC. Adult hicatee turtles can weigh up to 50 pounds or more. 
Hicatee Heroes at the 2020 HCRC Wet Season Hicatee Health Assessment. included members from Belize Turtle Ecology Lab, Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic, and BFREE. 
Photo of Hicatee Conservation and Research Center (HCRC) Manager, Tom Pop holding an adult female hicatee during the 2020 Wet Season Health Assessments. 
Hicatee Awareness Month: October is Hicatee Awareness Month! The 2020 Hicatee Awareness Month mascot was created by local artists, Belizario Gian Carballo.
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