And while the PM is looking at economic opportunities, Guatemalans in the border communities of Peten look to Belize's rich verdant lands for opportunities to exploit our natural resources.
On Saturday, the Friends for Conservation and Development detained two Guatemalan poachers found by Cowboy Camp in the Chiquibul Forest. These poachers, Raul and Victorino Rivera, were caught with game meat and a baby white lipped peccary. The men were handed over to the San Ignacio Police while the peccary is now being cared for at the wildlife clinic.
FCD's release reminded the public that, quote, "Illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching has been documented in the Chiquibul Forest as a primary threat to biodiversity." End quote. They noted that in September 2019, a research report on the status of game species communities in the Chiquibul showed less encounters with wild animal species.
