Saving Wildlife On The Cayes of Belize

Rescue Numbers at a Glance

This year has kept us busy with 134 patients admitted across a wide variety of species. Of those, 65 individuals were successfully released back to the wild, while many more benefited from the care and attention of our team. Our hotline also rang off the hook, with 172 calls for rescues, advice, and support from the community. Today, we still have one determined patient in our care, reminding us that every animal’s journey is different and worth fighting for.

Picking Up the Torch

This has been a season of both challenge and joy as I’ve stepped into the role of Executive Director. It’s been a steep learning curve, but thanks to Christina’s guidance and the patience of our amazing volunteers, we’ve kept things running smoothly. The volunteers truly are the backbone of Aces—and they’ve made it a whole lot easier for me to find my feet, grow into the role, and keep pushing our mission forward. Add in the encouragement from our community, and I can honestly say it’s been inspiring to see how much people care about the wildlife we share this island with.

Big Wins: Our New Clinic and Casitas

One of the highlights of this quarter has been completing our brand-new clinic space and two dedicated rehab casitas. The clinic is more than three times the size of our original (and anyone who’s ever worked in the old one knows what a difference that makes—our staff and volunteers are already enjoying fewer accidental collisions and even a little bit of personal space!).

The new rehab units are modular and flexible, designed so we can house predator and prey separately and adjust depending on which of the 42 different species we’ve cared for so far this year decides to show up next. These spaces are already reducing patient stress and improving outcomes. A huge thank-you to the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, whose continued generosity made this leap possible—we really couldn’t have done it without them.

Growing the Team

With a bigger facility comes the need for more hands, and we’re thrilled to welcome Hannah O’Mahony and Phebe Heneghan as our new Co-Clinic Supervisors. Fresh from their Animal Science degrees, they’ve jumped in with enthusiasm and a willingness to tackle just about anything—from round-the-clock baby bird feedings to crocodile wrangling (yes, really). They’ve also brought some serious social media skills to the table, helping us share our stories with more people than ever before.

Crocodile Coexistence: A Nesting Season Success

American crocodiles are one of our flagship species here on Ambergris Caye, and this nesting season gave us a real chance to prove that coexistence is possible. As natural nesting sites become harder to find, females have been forced onto private property, which understandably raises concerns for residents who suddenly find a very defensive mom in their backyard.

This year, we worked with both Truck Stop and the Mara Laguna HOA to put up simple barriers and provide education about what was happening. The result? Two nests hatched successfully, with minimal disruption for both people and crocs. It’s proof that with a little extra effort (and a bit of tolerance for inconvenience), people and wildlife can thrive side by side.

Wildlife Stories

• Celine the Osprey: Struck by a plane, Celine miraculously escaped with “only” some flight feathers missing—but for an osprey, that meant the end of her ability to hunt or survive in the wild. She spent over 9 months in our care, where we kept her fed, healthy, and entertained (her daily singing became the soundtrack of the rescue). On August 11th, her replacement feathers finally grew in, and we were rewarded with the unforgettable sight of her powerful flight as she soared back into the skies where she belongs.
• Zuko the Crocodile: My very first solo rescue—a 10-foot croc lounging under a primary school. Trial by fire! Zuko had been through hell: burn wounds likely from boiling oil, deep gashes across his head, and even pellet wounds down his tail. He was skinny, in pain, and clearly struggling. With rest, medicine, and food, he began to heal with astonishing speed, proving just how tough these ancient animals are. We released him in a safer spot, and since then, he’s been sighted several times looking stronger and healthier each visit. Seeing him bounce back so dramatically is a reminder of why this work matters.
• The Mesa Café Sea Turtles: One night we got a call that surprised even us—a tiny loggerhead sea turtle hatchling had wandered right into Mesa Café, giving the late-night patrons quite a shock. And as we all know, where there’s one hatchling, there are usually many more. After assessing the situation, we gathered up a staggering 139 baby turtles. Artificial lights and heavy sargassum had disoriented them, preventing them from finding their way to the sea. With the help of the biologists from Hol Chan Marine Reserve, we were able to help the hatchlings back to the ocean, giving each of them the best possible start to their long journey ahead.

Looking Ahead

We’ve already admitted 134 patients this year, and the calls keep coming. With our new clinic, new team members, and ever-growing community support, we’re better prepared than ever to meet the challenges ahead.

Thank you for standing with us—your support is what makes every rescue, every recovery, and every release possible.

With gratitude,
Ciarán Ó Mórdha
Executive Director
ACES Wildlife Rescue

Links:

• Aces Wildlife Rescue facebook
• Aces Wildlife Rescue website
• Aces Wildlife Rescue instagram