Yesterday we told you that the tourists who petted a jaguar cub in the Mountain Pine Ridge area took to Facebook to double down on their actions, claiming they were only helping the cub. They said that Belizeans should focus on the illegal hunting that happens in the country. Well, in the Wildlife Act, hunting also refers to molesting an animal, especially a jaguar that is fully protected.
However, the Stoll brothers left the country before they could be penalized. But according to the Minister of Sustainable Development, it would have been excessive to issue an order to stop them at the border or the airport. Here's how he put it today:
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"Like a friend of mine told me, it's sort of a deflection of what he did to even point to another areas or other people who are committing other crimes. I think that for all of us and I know that you would agree with me that education is key, it is paramount, not only for the foreigners but for us as Belizeans. Yes we have to be mindful that this was something that he shouldn't have done because we have legislation in place. Many times some people may not know so we have to educate them. As mentioned by Dr. Paque in the interview that you also did was that he said yes it's a crime and some of the people on Facebook were advocating that listen that cub would not find its mother, the mother would reject it, I'm an animal scientist so I know about bonding, I know about imprinting, how far and how early it happens and some of it can happen but doesn't really happen. But to say we'll put out a notice to arrest this person if he reaches the airport or something like that and to have sort of a manhunt, I think that's excessive."
