COCK'S COMB BASIN
In Belize, the government has set aside over 150 square miles of rainforest in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve, which currently provides a protected environment for over 200 Jaguars, the largest concentration of wild cat species in the world. This unique sanctuary found in southern Belize is the world’s only Jaguar preserve.
The Jaguar is the third largest member of the cat family and endangered in most of its range. At the cockscomb, the Jaguar is doing quite well, and is by no means the only beneficiary of the safety of the preserve. Other cats such as Puma, Margay, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi, as well as Peccary, Paca, Red Brocket Deer, Tayra, Otter, Snakes, Black Howler Monkey, and Coatimundi, enjoy a population density difficult to achieve in most locations. The Cockscomb is also renowned for its bird populations and boasts over 300-recorded species, including the Scarlet Macaw, the Great Curassow, and Belize’s national bird, the Keeled-billed Toucan.
The most important feature about the sanctuary is its trail network, the most extensive of any reserve in the country. To fully explore the trail system it would take 2-3 days.
If time allows, the wardens can provide a slide show on the sanctuary for a small fee. Inner tubes can be hired for river trips. There’s a visitor center and there are swimming areas and various types of accommodations in the sanctuary.
Come for a visit, and take a walk on the wild side!!