Saving Wildlife On The Cayes of Belize

As the vibrant life of Belize flourishes around us here in San Pedro, so too does the vital work of Aces Wildlife Rescue. This year has already brought significant milestones, heartwarming recoveries, and some important transitions within our team. We are deeply grateful for your continued support, which empowers us to face every challenge and celebrate every success in our mission to protect Belize's precious wildlife.

So far this year, we have admitted 66 patients representing 30 different species. We are thrilled to report that 33 of these individuals have been successfully released back into their natural habitats, and 5 patients are still receiving specialized treatment at our facility. Our hotline continues to be a critical resource, receiving over 140 calls for rescues, in-person assistance, and advice.

Welcoming a Dynamic New Leader:

We are thrilled to introduce a tremendous new leader to the Aces family: our new Executive Director, Ciaran O’Mordha! Ciaran's history with Aces runs deep, beginning as a crocodile conservation intern in 2018. He returned in 2023 to complete his Masters research, earning a Masters of Research in Zoology from University College Cork, Ireland, focusing on the American Crocodiles of Ambergris Caye.

Ciaran brings a wealth of experience and passion to this role. He trained extensively with our founders, Chris Summers and Christina Manzi, in crocodile conservation and has held diverse leadership positions in animal care and husbandry at esteemed organizations such as The National Reptile Zoo, Seal Rescue Ireland, and Madras Crocodile Bank Trust. We are incredibly excited to welcome Ciaran's expertise and vision to lead Aces into its next phase.

Facility Enhancements on the Horizon:

In addition to welcoming new leadership, we are thrilled to announce significant progress in upgrading our facility! Thanks to the incredible generosity of a grant from Fondation Brigitte Bardot, we have began construction on a dedicated wildlife clinic! This much-needed space is being specifically designed to meet the unique needs of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation – something we have never had the capacity for before.

This new clinic will house a dedicated patient intake exam area, a functional kitchen and meal preparation space, ample refrigeration and freezer storage, laundry facilities, and, crucially, two separate specially built structures to provide comfortable and secure indoor enclosures for our young and hospitalized patients. This upgrade will dramatically enhance our ability to provide the highest level of care to the animals we rescue.

Inspiring Recoveries This Year

• Machine Gun 'Peli': This Brown Pelican, who was tragically shot through the chest, has made a miraculous full recovery and has been successfully released back into the wild! This pelican's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of wildlife and the impact of dedicated care. Hear more about his story and watch his release here!
• Humble Hummingbird Heroes: We experienced an unusual influx of Cinnamon Hummingbirds, including two vulnerable fledglings likely displaced by weather. Additionally, one hummingbird arrived with severe head trauma but, against all odds, demonstrated an incredible will to survive and has since made a full recovery and return to the wild.
• Parakeets Pulled Back from the Brink: Three Olive-Throated Parakeets arrived suffering from a suspected poisoning event, all in critical condition. Our dedicated team worked tirelessly, and we are overjoyed that we were able to give the gift of life back to two of them. One has been successfully released, and the other is currently undergoing physical therapy for some lingering neurological effects, but we are hopeful for a return to full function with more time.

Thank you for being an essential part of the Aces Wildlife Rescue family and for providing us the means to carry out our mission. We truly could not accomplish any of this without your generosity and belief in our mission. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of Belize's animals and community members who strive for a more harmonious coexistence with nature, making the world a better place for all. 

Blue skies,

Christina