Crocodile Rescue and Release in Ambergris Caye with ACES - LeAw in Belize
In this episode we had the pleasure to met ACES (American Crocodile Education Sanctuary) when they were heading out to capture a crocodile who was caught in their trap in Belize! We documented the humane capture and release of this 7.5 foot female American Crocodile, named Sparkles, who was hanging out a little too close to people in the ocean on Ambergris Caye. This crocodile ended up being larger than initially reported and was hunting in the middle of the day which is unusual for this crepuscular species. Given the density of resorts and homes in the area, the decision was made to relocate this beautiful lady farther away from people.
Thank you to ACES, Chris Summers, Christina Manzi and Ciaran O' Mordha to shed light on these very misunderstood creatures and teaching people safe coexistence for the preservation of the species for generations to come!
ACES is a non-profit organization permitted by the Belize Forest Department and dedicated to the conservation of Belize's critical wetland habitats and protected species, specifically Crocodilians, through scientific research and education to preserve wildlife for future generations.
Please help the organization and donate.
For more info visit their website:
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Special thanks to CHRIS SUMMERS and CHRISTINA MANZI.
CHRIS SUMMERS Originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, Chris is a long-time Belize resident with native ties. After volunteering his time and labor to ACES for over four years, he became an official part of ACES’s Team, and employee, in 2014. Trained by ACES Founders, Vince & Cherie, Chris is highly skilled in crocodile wrangling, behavior, biology, scientific data collection, and safe crocodile handling techniques. Today, Chris in charge of all crocodile rescues, relocations, and official croc training in Belize; as well as, ACES Captain and Lead Field Researcher
CHRISTINA MANZI
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Christina started as a volunteer with ACES in 2016. She came to Belize to assist in opening a skydiving center on Ambergris Caye. While doing so, she became fascinated with the wildlife and ecosystem and found herself excitedly volunteering her time to ACES. Her first experience working with crocodiles just happen to coincide with moving day for Jaws, a permanently injured captive croc who was being transported to his permanent home in the sanctuary. When she was instructed to JUMP! on the back of Jaws, she leapt wholeheartedly into a new chapter in her life.
Christina has been trained by Chris and Vince in crocodile wrangling, behavior, biology, scientific data collection, and safe croc handling techniques. After five months of volunteering, Christina decided to move permanently to Belize to aid ACES in our mission to protect and preserve crocodilians. She is currently volunteering full-time to increase ACES’s online presence, marketing, fundraising, education, and public relations. Christina additionally aids Chris with croc rescues, relocations, research, education, and official training courses, in addition to photographing crocs every chance she gets.
Enjoy the ride with us! ;)
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ACES - Crocodile Rescue and Conservation in Belize
We are so excited to release a video that has been a long time in the making! In February of 2018, we had the pleasure of meeting film maker, David Ozier. He came to Belize on his own dollar with donated equipment to film American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) in action and show the world what we do. We give you our most recent profile video featuring the Chris Summers and Christina Manzi, two conservationists brought together through a love for crocs.
ACES is a non-profit organization permitted by the Belize Forest Department and dedicated to the conservation of Belize's critical wetland habitats and protected species, specifically Crocodilians, through rescue, rehabilitation, research and education to preserve wildlife for future generations. Learn more about ACES by visiting AmericanCrocodileSanctuary.org.
Special thanks to David Ozier, volunteers, and donors who worked tirelessly on this video on days days off from his full time job.
#ACESBelize #CrocsOfBelize #Crocodile #Crocodiles #WildlifeRescue #WildlifeConservation #AmbergrisCaye #SanPedroBelize #Wildlife #SaveACroc #GiveACroc #LivingWithCrocs #Coexist #CrocLove
Learning more about crocodiles with ACES - Night Tour and Sanctuary in Belize - LeAw in Belize
In this episode we will learn more about crocodiles at the amazing ACES’ Crocodile Scientific Investigators (CSI) tour, a unique experience that has you traversing through mangrove forests at night on the back side of the island. Yes! The tour takes place at night, as it’s when the crocodiles are more active and hunting for food. Vince and Cherie, founders of ACES started the tour, but their most knowledgeable Crocodile Expert Chris Summers is mostly in charge of taking out the tours. It will have you interacting with the wild reptiles and at the same time helping protect them and conserving their natural habitats. The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) will have you appreciating and (YES) loving these threatened species and not looking at them as scary and dangerous creatures.
Chris and his crew are very careful and handle the crocodiles with extreme care and attention. Their mission is to protect them and the tour is super informative and educational;
We had the pleasure to met ACES (American Crocodile Education Sanctuary) during a rescue, relocate and release of a 7.5 foot female American Crocodile, named Sparkles.
Video:
Tour info:
Please help the organization and donate.
For more info visit their website:
Facebook:
Instagram:
CHRIS SUMMERS Originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, Chris is a long-time Belize resident with native ties. After volunteering his time and labor to ACES for over four years, he became an official part of ACES’s Team, and employee, in 2014. Trained by ACES Founders, Vince & Cherie, Chris is highly skilled in crocodile wrangling, behavior, biology, scientific data collection, and safe crocodile handling techniques. Today, Chris in charge of all crocodile rescues, relocations, and official croc training in Belize; as well as, ACES Captain and Lead Field Researcher
CHRISTINA MANZI
Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Christina started as a volunteer with ACES in 2016. She came to Belize to assist in opening a skydiving center on Ambergris Caye. While doing so, she became fascinated with the wildlife and ecosystem and found herself excitedly volunteering her time to ACES. Her first experience working with crocodiles just happen to coincide with moving day for Jaws, a permanently injured captive croc who was being transported to his permanent home in the sanctuary. When she was instructed to JUMP! on the back of Jaws, she leapt wholeheartedly into a new chapter in her life.
Christina has been trained by Chris and Vince in crocodile wrangling, behavior, biology, scientific data collection, and safe croc handling techniques. After five months of volunteering, Christina decided to move permanently to Belize to aid ACES in our mission to protect and preserve crocodilians. She is currently volunteering full-time to increase ACES’s online presence, marketing, fundraising, education, and public relations. Christina additionally aids Chris with croc rescues, relocations, research, education, and official training courses, in addition to photographing crocs every chance she gets.
Enjoy the ride with us! ;)
Our gear:
# Camera: Panasonic GH4
# Camera: Iphone 7 Plus
# Camera: GoPro Hero4
# Drone: DJI Mavic Pro
Gear for your next adventure! Save up to 20%
More about us:
l-e-a-w.com
Facebook // LeAw //
Facebook // Sara //
Facebook // Luca //
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ACES - American Crocodile Education Sanctuary - Ambergris Caye, Belize
We came to Ambergris to get married at the Eco Resort, Ak'Bol, and because of the owners - Kirsten and Milio, we were able to be introduced to whom they called, Chris Croc. Chris works for a nonprofit called ACES, American Crocodile Education Sanctuary. He is usually assisted by his lovely GF and partner, but she was off on the mainland being educated in medical rehabilitation from other local Belizean sanctuaries. (She is SO awesome, I'm super bummed we didn't get to meet).
After meeting with us one evening at Ak'Bol, and discussing our love for wildlife and, specifically Crocodiles, I guess Chris deemed us worthy of assisting himself and his genuinely likable intern, Gary.
In this video we get to meet Phineas, the hefty male croc. His enclosure is in need of fresh water due to his pump getting all clogged up. So, while we wait for the water truck to arrive, Chris has us all assist him in getting Phineas weighed and measured. We could barely contain our excitement!
Please visit their website and donate, if you can! Or, even better, go see them in person to take an educational crocodile night-time tour in the lagoon!
**Please excuse the shaky filming, most of the shots were taken by our 10 yr. old daughter who has never done this before! I mean, come on, she does pretty darn good!
2014 ACES American Crocodile Education Sanctuary
americancrocodilesanctuary.org
Belize
Crocodylus acutus
ACES/ American Crocodile Educational Sanctuary- CSI Series 1
Join ACES's Expert Croc Team on an evening, educational, crocodile eye-shine aboard the Swamp Thing. Search for predatory crocodiles to capture, tag, & re-release to help ACES Biologists collect scientific data on Belize's wild & endangered American crocodiles.
American Crocodile Educational Sanctuary, Ambergris Caye, San Pedro Belize.
ACES Rescue Thomas the Croc!
For the latest news across Belize, visit:
The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary has rescued a ten-foot American Crocodile called Thomas from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The outlook for the croc is uncertain at this time, as it will undergo some medical tests to see what exactly is wrong. ACES says that the croc was discovered at a popular feeding spot on the island where someone detected something wrong with the croc and ACES was called to rescue the reptile. The organization notes that it is illegal to feed crocodiles and that carries a ten thousand dollar fine. Feeding the animals also puts human lives at risk. Christina Manzi of ACES shares more about Thomas’ condition.
Welcome to the Dark Side Environmental Superheros Day Two
This video is from day two of the massive four day clean up on Ambergris Caye organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association San Pedro Chapter (BTIASP) with the assistance of American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES)
It starts with a small bit of clean up that was able to get done in Boca del Rio then goes back to the area that took all the allotted time, San Pedrito Highway. This area runs along the airstrip. This area has been an illegal dumping ground for years. Not only is it the way home for many, but it is also the first thing everyone on half of the plane sees when they come in for a landing or take off from San Pedro airport.
Our small island is full out in a catastrophic level garbage crisis and we need help, please reach out.
Read more about this crazy situation and the massive four day BTIASP clean up here -
#fortheloveofsanpedro
#cleanupsanpedro
#sanpedrostrong
#captainconch
#ambergriscayecleanupcampaign
#hipwadersneeded
#massivecleanupcampaign
#enviornmentalrestoration
#ambergriscayecleanupcampaign
Welcome to the Dark Side Environmental Superheros Day Four
This video is from day four of the massive four day clean up on Ambergris Caye organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association San Pedro Chapter (BTIASP) with the assistance of American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) Oceana Belize and San Pedro Town Council.
In four days we accomplished a huge amount of moving years worth of aged trash from the San Pedroti Highway airstrip area. It still needs major work to finish the job.
Of the total amount to be done we cleaned up 10% or less of trash. The 13 other areas of the island that were scheduled to be cleaned up remain untouched.
By the end of day Four we had a lot of puzzle pieces as to how the situation got so bad and the BTIASP will be addressing the situation with local businesses and residents.
Our small island is full out in a catastrophic level garbage crisis and we need help, please reach out.
#fortheloveofsanpedro
#cleanupsanpedro
#sanpedrostrong
#captainconch
#ambergriscayecleanupcampaign
#hipwadersneeded
#massivecleanupcampaign
#enviornmentalrestoration
#ambergriscayecleanupcampaign
Read more about this crazy situation and the massive Four day BTIASP clean up here -
Welcome to the Dark Side Environmental Superheros Day Three
This video is from day three of the massive four day clean up on Ambergris Caye organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association San Pedro Chapter (BTIASP) with the assistance of American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) Oceana Belize and @San Pedro Town Council.
San Pedrito Highway. This area runs along the airstrip. This area has been an illegal dumping ground for years. Not only is it the way home for many, but it is also the first thing everyone on half of the plane sees when they come in for a landing or take off from San Pedro airport.
You will also see the transfer station as well as a residential road in DFC with over six years of garbage running along one side of it. Imagine growing up living beside a wall of garbage. It is very unhealthy for those families and the environment.
Our small island is full out in a catastrophic level garbage crisis and we need help, please reach out.
Read more about this crazy situation and the massive Four day BTIASP clean up here -
#fortheloveofsanpedro
#cleanupsanpedro
#sanpedrostrong
#captainconch
#ambergriscayecleanupcampaign
#hipwadersneeded
#massivecleanupcampaign
#enviornmentalrestoration
#ambergriscayecleanupcampaign
ACES Croc Rescue Ambergris Caye Jan. 2010 .wmv
On Thursday, January 7th San Pedro Police OIC Arnold contacted the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) regarding three problematic crocodiles residing in the DFC area. One croc in particular was in danger of being shot and had been seen residing under a family's home where they feared for their childrens lives.
With permission from the Belize Forest Department to access and contain the animals, ACES traveled on Friday from Punta Gorda and found the crocs, as well as the reason for their recent invasion into the area. Many acres of protected Red Mangrove, which is prime American Crocodile habitat is in the process of being destroyed for a new development directly south of DFC. With the sudden loss of habitat the crocs are left wandering aimlessly looking for a new home. Additionally, the trenching activities had flooded some of the DFC housing area and residents yards were shin deep in water. With the cold temperatures the past few days, the shallow water warmed quickly and small to crocs as large as 12 feet in length could not resist the warm pools and possibly an easy meal.
These crocs have been hand fed for years by local boys as a tourist attraction and with the abundance of discarded food waste and garbage in the area these animals have learned to associate man as a food source. Not only is feeding the crocs illegal in Belize, but feeding wild Apex Predators is a very dangerous practice that leads to problematic animals. These animals soon lose their fear of humans and become beggars and scavengers.
On Friday afternoon ACES easily captured a nine foot croc and later that evening captured a 12 foot croc that aggressively approached their golf cart in search of food. On Sunday night ACES scouted the DFC area for more problematic crocs and discovered a dead four foot croc that died from human hands. The croc had been beaten to death and one front leg was removed, most likely as a trophy. It is illegal to kill these animals and anyone needing assistance in dealing with problem crocs should contact the police, BFD or ACES.
Monday, while preparing to transport the captive crocodiles to the mainland via barge, ACES was notified of a third problem croc in the Ambergris Lakes area across from Banyan Bay. BFD had received reports of concern from residents in the area and several pets had apparently fallen prey to the large croc. Within minutes upon arriving on the scene a 12 foot croc, which was basking on the shore was contained. ACES biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose quickly assed that the animal was perhaps the unhealthiest croc she had ever rescued claiming that it was grossly overweight from a poor diet of chicken fed to it by local residents and living in contaminated water. It also displayed no fear of people and was indeed a very dangerous creature.
With the assistance of several volunteers the three crocs were loaded onto a flatbed truck and transported to a barge headed to Belize City. The ACES team accompanied the animals on the barge where the animals were then loaded onto an ACES truck and transported to the ACES facility in Punta Gorda.
ACES is a non-profit organization committed to conserving Belize's critical habitats and protected species through scientific research and education to prevent further extinction of species Worldwide and to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations. Funding is desperately needed to complete a new containment area for one of the newly captured 12 foot males and information about ACES and how to donate to them can be found at americancrocodilesanctuary.org.
ACES would like to thank SP Golf Carts, Elito Arceo, Rite-Way Enterprises, Island Construction and barge crew, San Pedro Police Department, volunteers from the SACNW, Christine Booth Cotton, Denise and Steven Lee, Architectural Engineering, the Belize Forestry Department, Yvonne Temsik and The San Pedro Sun for assisting with this rescue mission. While removing the crocs is not a long term answer, at least it saves lives for now. American Crocodiles are a protected species threatened of becoming endangered and community efforts like this not only help to save the animals but provide a safer community from dangerous and potentially deadly crocodile altercations.
ACES/ American Crocdile Educational Sanctuary, CSI Series 2
Join ACES's Expert Croc Team on an evening, educational, crocodile eye-shine aboard the Swamp Thing. Search for predatory crocodiles to capture, tag, & re-release to help ACES Biologists collect scientific data on Belize's wild & endangered American crocodiles. Ambergris Caye, San Pedro Belize.
Crocodiles Captured in San Pedro
For the latest news across Belize, visit:
ACES Croc Capture
ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary catches two large problematic American Crocodiles on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize less than 24 hrs before the ACES wildlife sanctuary in Punta Gorda Belize was burnt to the ground. These large crocs had no fear of man, or woman, due to being illegally fed by locals as a 'tourist attraction.' ACES has been educating the communities and relocating these dangerous apex predators at the request of the Belize Forest Department for over four years now country-wide in Belize. These two crocs reportedly were blocking the passage of golf carts in the streets of Ambergris Caye and were found lying under homes where women and children resided. Having being fed, the crocs had no fear and most likely one day would attack. Crocodilians of this size that have been fed by humans in other countries are usually shot. ACES tries to rescue every croc it can and these two were headed to ACES Croc Sanctuary in PG on Sunday. Unfortunately, hours prior to their departure, ACES received word that local villagers were about to burn down the facility and kill crocs at the sanctuary. By noon the rumors were confirmed by the PG police. These crocs were re-released on San Pedro later that day because there was nowhere else to take them to keep people out of harm's way. ACES has conducted croc presentations on how to safely co-exist in practically every school on San Pedro since 2008.
Threatened Crocodiles and Endangered Monkeys, Both at ACES in Belize!
At ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary you can watch endangered Black Howler Monkeys swinging in the trees above the highly threatened American Crocodiles and Morelet's Crocodiles that have been rescued. The crocodiles need your help! A new larger, safe containment area is needed for these magnificent reptiles that were otherwise going to be killed. All crocs at ACES have been rescued from death, either because they are large and problematic or because they were being illegally and inhumanely kept. To help these crocs in need, go to americancrocodilesanctuary.org or BeedFund.com
Due your part to Help Take a Bite Out of Extinction!
(Anyone enjoying ACES videos but wishing a better quality, please feel free to donate a video camera to ACES. These clips were captured with a camera donated by the San Pedro Sun.)
Les crocodiles du Belize - E2A #4
Après le Mexique, direction le Belize et l'île d'Ambergris Caye. Sur place, nous rencontrons Cherie et Vince Rose, un couple d’expatriés américains qui s’est donné pour mission de protéger les derniers crocodiles subsistant sur l’île ????
Ensemble, ils créent en 2006 l'American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) afin d'apporter des solutions au conflit qui oppose l’homme au crocodile.
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Préparez-vous à sillonner l’Amérique centrale à la découverte d'une nature fascinante et des acteurs de son étude et de sa préservation. Un périple jalonné de 13 portraits vidéos de personnes passionnées et engagées, à suivre pas à pas :
Et pour commander le DVD du documentaire Entre Deux Amériques, c'est par ici :
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En 2013, Barbara Réthoré et Julien Chapuis menaient leur première mission d'envergure : l'Expédition Biodiversité 2013. Pendant 200 jours, du sud du Mexique jusqu'au Panama, les deux biologistes sont partis à la rencontre d’acteurs de la protection de la nature en Amérique centrale. Au rythme des rencontres, des découvertes et des témoignages, Barbara et Julien nous font partager leur aventure, à la fois scientifique et humaine.
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Site web :
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Réalisation : Barbara Réthoré & Julien Chapuis
Post-production : Romain Guénard
Co-production : NatExplorers / Conserv-Action
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American Crocodile Rescued in Belize
Video by the San Pedro Sun: ACES/American Crocodile Education Sanctuary captures a wild problematic 13 foot American Crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, that locals were feeding as a tourist attraction. The croc was then relocated to ACES in southern Belize by boat and then truck to a secure natural habitat where researchers and students can come to study these magnificent modern day dinosaurs. Otherwise the animal would have been destroyed. ACES is a non-profit organization in need of funding for more natural containment facilities. americancrocodilesanctuary.org
Rescued American Crocodiles at ACES in Belize
American Crocodiles in Belize Need Your Help! ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary is permitted by the Belize Forest Department and rescues problematic, and inhumanely and illegally kept crocodiles country-wide. These rescued crocodiles currently need a larger habitat. These problematic 12 foot crocodiles cannot be re-released, because they have been fed by humans. Just like bears, these apex predators now seek out humans as a food source and their only other alternative is to be killed. ACES houses these large reptiles to help save this threatened species from extinction and in hopes of aiding researchers in finding cures for diseases. In laboratory studies, Crocodilian blood kills HIV and Herpes simplex. So contact ACES today and learn how you can help 'Take a Bite Out of Extinction!
Belize.mov
Highlights of a winter trip to Central America ~ Belize; mainly the island of Ambergris Caye, Lamanai Mayan ruins on the mainland and Caye Caulker.
This marked a reunion (28 years in the waiting) with my long lost friend - Tamara, who (along with her mom and several new San Pedro peeps) has graciously given me and my mate a super cool holiday that we'll never forget.
Several of these photos are courtesy of Tamara (Sniffen).The shots of crocodile rescue can be further investigated by surfing to ACES (American Crocodile Education Sanctuary) at:
And last but not least, some of the final moments of the slideshow are glimpses of the Marco Gonzalez Mayan ruins on the south end of Ambergris Caye. You may find articles and info on these subjects as well as loads of other news at The San Pedro Sun:
Indigo snake rescue - ACES Belize
Until this day, every snake call we have received has been for the harmless (but sometimes large) boa constrictors commonly seen on San Pedro. This week, though, we had the incredible pleasure of meeting this gentle indigo snake! This stunning snake had crawled into a bodega of someone’s home, so we collected her for relocation to a more adequate snake habitat. She appeared slightly underweight due to possible dehydration, so under the guidance of wildlife vet Dr. Isabelle Paquet-Durand, we held her for a few hours to rehydrate. By mid-afternoon, her body appeared to be of a healthier weight, she was active and ready to go on her merry way.
Indigo snakes are very unique, as they are able to consume venomous snakes, as well as the usual snake diet of rodents, toads, lizards, birds, and small mammals. Despite their potentially long lengths (this lady was 7 feet!) they tend to eat smaller prey items. Indigo snakes, also known as blacktail cribo, are NON-VENOMOUS and NON-AGGRESSIVE. You can recognize an indigo snake by it’s predominantly olive-brown glossy scales evolving to black at the tail. The underside is a lighter olive-yellow color. There are distinctive dark markings round the eyes, a vertical dark slash just behind the jaw, and a heavy diagonal dark slash on both sides of the neck.
If you are to encounter a snake, it is always advised to leave it alone. Snakes usually only become defensive if provoked. If you are concerned by its presence, please call ACES, the forest department, or other wildlife organization to come assist.
#ACESbelize #Snake #IndigoSnake #Wildlife #Coexist #CrocsOfBelize #Rescue #Release #Belize #WildlifeConservation #Reptile