The Chiquibul Forest Reserve is the largest national park in Belize, and one of the most difficult to get to. Last week
CCSP Belize traveled over 3 hours off the paved roads of Santa Elena into the Maya Mountains to experience the incredible biodiversity that this site has to offer. And our efforts certainly paid off! Just on our drive into the forest reserve we saw white-tailed deer (a rarity here in Belize), the endangered white-lipped peccary (a wild pig), and 14 of the few remaining wild scarlet macaws in Belize! It was the perfect beginning to what would turn into the perfect week of Tropical Forest Ecology.
During the week we explored limestone caves, conducted research projects out in the field, saw loads of amazing birds (including the rare king vulture), went on night hikes, caught numerous species of frogs (including the iconic red-eyed tree frog), climbed a mountain, explored Mayan ruins that are currently being excavated, and in the process learned a lot about the tropics that we call home for this semester. On the ride out we stopped to watch a troupe of howler monkeys navigate the jungle canopy with their babies. It was an unforgettable week to be sure!
 |
| Lindsay (Redeemer U) with a Morelet's tree frog |
 |
| The entrance of one of the Rio Frio Caves |
 |
| Jacque (Messiah College) admires a yellow-breasted chat up close |
CCSP Belize would like to thank professor Erik Lindquist of Messiah College for leading us on this incredible journey, as well as our wonderful students who delighted with us every step of the way. All of you make this semester amazing!
 |
| An anole chomps on Professor Lindquist's finger |
No comments:
Post a Comment