Two days ago, we told you about the ongoing search for Big George, the 16-foot crocodile which escaped from its 10-year captivity on the compound of Caribbean Shrimp Ltd., located in the Ladyville area.
It is believed that on or around January 25, Big George was able to slip out of the natural enclosure he was being held in, due to erosion caused by the rains and flooding of 2020.
The authorities at the Forestry Department and the ACES Crocodile Rescue organization have since found strong evidence in the form of paw prints and track marks on the farm. Those clues have led them to the conclusion that this crocodile is still hiding out somewhere on the compound, but it is doing its best to avoid human contact.
This morning, we spoke via telephone with Chris Summers, the representative from ACES who is currently searching for Big George. Summers told us that it appears that since his escape, the crocodile has expanded its territory to include a little bit more than the compound belonging to the Caribbean Shrimp Limited:
As you heard, they are looking for ways to entice it back into the enclosure. So far, they have not received any reports of sightings of Big George in areas outside of the compound.
COVID Coming Back Down The active numbers for COVID cases are on the decline. Just last month, the total was in the triple digits. Today, thanks to 12 new recoveries, the active number is at 75. In addition, there were only two new cases confirmed today and no new deaths. Information officer Claudette Dakers Norales recaps today's numbers.
From "Bex" To Benevolent: Borona's Gift To BERT
And BERT whose employees were on the front lines during the pandemic received a much-needed donation today. But this donation comes from the family and friends of 34-year-old Kenya Barona.
Barona, who passed away on March 12th, had suffered health complications that night and her loved ones believed she could have been saved if the ambulance did not take 30 minutes to arrive at her Supal Street address.
But rather than sue, her family instead chose to assist BERT with a donation of over $2,000 for human resource training so that a similar incident would not happen to anyone else.
Barona's aunt, Josephine Flowers, explained what they would want to see being done with the donation:
And while BERT was grateful for the assistance, they still aren't taking the blame. The executive director explained that after examining the situation closely, their ambulance only took 5 minutes to reach Barona. He also reiterated that BERT is trained to give medical assistance as soon as they pick up the phone:
Barona's family is encouraging others to donate to BERT, and stated that the donation can be done through them and they ensure that it is passed on.
Flowers explained that she would also like to see CPR training videos shown on local channels to educate the public on what to do in an emergency situation.
Diabetes Donation And the Belize Diabetes Association also received a donation, this time from the Israeli Consul here in Belize. The $2,000 donation will be going towards equipment that diabetes patients use every day. The handing over was held at the Radisson Fort George and Marina, and the acting president, Lynette Valerio, told us that it's timely:
UD Donates To MIT
In news of another donation the Police may be better armed and certainly better dressed while carrying out their duties during the rest of the year.
That's due to new tactical equipment, including gear and uniforms, donated to the Mobile Interdiction Team this morning, courtesy of the U.S. International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
It was all handed over by U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires, Keith Gilges in a brief ceremony this morning in Belmopan at the Police Academy, at which Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, and MIT Commander Jeffrie Gabriel were also present.
APSSM On Industrial Action
As we've been reporting, the PSU and BNTU are on strike but that hasn't shut down government offices or closed schools.
Well, as of yesterday The Association of Public Service Senior Managers has sent in its notice of industrial action.
They are already public officers, but the president says they sent it in just to make it emphatically clear to the government:
Elena's Birthday Suit And while the APSSM has given notice, one top unionist got a lot of notice today with her glam outfit. Senator Elena Smith was definitely the best dressed amongst her union colleagues today - with a floral top and matching shoes. It stood out against the green and yellow shirts - and when we asked if it was for the purpose of strengthening the union's negotiating position - she said, no, it's because it's her birthday.
