Hicatee Turtles
In Pursuit of Hicatee in Belize by Day Ligon
The Hicatee, as Dermatemys mawii is known in parts of its range, is truly a unique turtle. Although fossil records indicate that closely related species once occurred across Central America and Europe, Hicatee remain as the only living representatives of a formerly species-rich family of turtles. It is a large turtle, sometimes exceeding 22 kilograms.…
Read More2019 Fall Hicatee Health Assessment
Biannual health assessments continue to serve two important purposes. 1) They allow us to check the general and reproductive health of all captive animals, and 2) they enable us to continue to gather growth data which is added to our long-term dataset on the species. Understanding whether or not our turtles and their environment are…
Read More3rd Annual Hicatee Awareness Month
TSA 2019 Symposium
17th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles Each year since 2002, the Turtle Survival Alliance and IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group hold a symposium on the conservation and biology of tortoises and freshwater turtles. BFREE staff have participated regularly ever since the inception of the Hicatee Conservation…
Read MoreHCRC Partners
Herp Survey at BFREE
Article by, Iris Holmes This May, a group of researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of California, Berkeley, visited BFREE to do a survey of amphibians and reptiles. They worked for two weeks, both on the BFREE property and at Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Between these places, they recorded 47 species.…
Read MoreBFREE Receives Porras Conservation Award
It’s not often international wildlife conferences hold their annual meeting so close to home. Fortunately, the International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) chose Belize City as the base for their 42nd gathering and we are so glad they did! The International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) provides a forum for the dissemination of information and research pertaining…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month 2018 Wrap Up
Hicatee Awareness Month 2018 The Hicatee turtle, a national treasure for Belize, is seriously under threat due to over-hunting for human consumption. Listed as critically endangered, Belize offers the highest chance for its survival. Because the Hicatee is in need of greater protection and innovative conservation actions, Turtle Survival Alliance and BFREE launched Hicateee Awareness Month, a country-wide awareness campaign…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month 2018 Wrap Up
Hicatee Awareness Month 2018 The Hicatee turtle, a national treasure for Belize, is seriously under threat due to over-hunting for human consumption. Listed as critically endangered, Belize offers the highest chance for its survival. Because the Hicatee is in need of greater protection and innovative conservation actions, Turtle Survival Alliance and BFREE launched Hicateee Awareness Month, a country-wide awareness campaign…
Read MoreHicatee Awareness Month in the News
Hicatee Awareness Month in the News! HCRC Manager, Thomas Pop, Field Course Leader, Nelly Cadle, and Science & Education Fellow, Jaren Serano had the distinct honor of being interviewed about BFREE, the HCRC, and all things Hicatee on news outlets thoughout Belize during October. We are thrilled that the media helped in bringing positive attention to work…
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