Illegal Poaching of a Jaguar in the South

There was disturbing find on Saturday night in Toledo District. The headless body of a jaguar was discovered near the dump area of Punta Gorda/San Antonio Road. It is believed that the wild cat was poached and decapitated by persons who were ordered by local or international buyers seeking the head for display or for other illegal ornamental uses. The Forest Depart has issued a release saying that this is the second such incident in the past two years.  A full investigation will be carried out to find the perpetrators of this heinous act, which is against wildlife conservation efforts in Belize. The release goes on to say that the hunting, killing, injuring, trapping or harassment of jaguars and other endangered wildlife is illegal and no one should partake in any activity related to hunting or capturing of jaguars and other endangered wildlife. The Forest Department is offering a reward of five thousand dollars for any information that leads to a conviction of the perpetrators of this latest incident.

R and B Construction Company Limited, which is affiliated with Hobb’s Brewing Company in Placencia, is also offering a reward of ten thousand dollars. The brewing company has been carrying the image of the jaguar as a part of its packaging and expresses extreme condemnation of the senseless killing of the majestic creature.