By Nikki Buxton | Director
While rescue numbers slow slightly at this time of year, the work at Belize Bird Rescue never stops. These early months allow our team to complete essential administrative tasks, prepare for the busy baby season ahead, and give extra attention to our long-term rehabilitation birds and permanent sanctuary residents.
Since our last report on December 16, we have admitted 28 new patients: 9 raptors, 5 songbirds, 6 waterbirds, 7 parrots, and 1 squirrel. We currently have 217 animals in care, including 79 birds living permanently in sanctuary due to issues that prevent their return to the wild.
During this same period we celebrated 28 successful releases: 21 parrots, 4 raptors, 2 songbirds, and 1 waterbird – each one the result of months, or even years of care and rehabilitation.
As predicted, 2025 was a record year for Belize Bird Rescue, with 347 wildlife intakes. We were also thrilled to reach our $25,000 December Giving Season goal, thanks in no small part to the GlobalGiving community – especially your incredible support on Giving Tuesday.
You can read all about our activities in 2025 in our Annual Report, and follow rescue stories, recoveries, and releases in our monthly newsletters.
Belize is now in the final month of the national captive parrot permitting program, which closes on March 31, 2026. During this period we have been conducting public awareness through social media, radio, and television to ensure parrot owners understand the requirements.
We have also continued working closely with the Forest Department, providing training for both new officers and refresher training for those already involved in the permitting process. To support this ongoing work, we completed a training manual to complement the in-person training sessions and help guide officers as they carry out inspections once the permit application period closes – an crucial step toward ending the illegal trade in captive parrots. Visit our dedicated web page for full details of the program.
At the start of the year we also distributed 1,200 free Belize Bird Rescue calendars, and we continue funding the official Forest Department Wildlife Hotline, which allows the public to report wildlife in distress or illegal wildlife activities.
Meanwhile, baby season is beginning. Our nursery is already hand-rearing the first young patients of the year: a booby chick, two barn owls, a white-winged dove, and a squirrel.
Your support makes this work possible – from emergency rescues to the long months of rehabilitation that allow birds to return to the wild. Even a small gift can help: just $15 helps feed a recovering bird for a day. And don’t forget – GlobalGiving’s Little by Little campaign runs March 17–20, when your donations can go even further for Belize's avian wildlife.
Thank you for helping us give Belize’s birds a second chance at freedom. Your continued support makes every rescue, recovery, and release possible.
With our warmest regards and gratitude,
Nikki and all at BBR
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
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