| Belize is one of the best places in the world to | | | | which has an altitude of 3681 feet, the highest |
| see wildlife in their native habitat: the jungle! For | | | | place in Belize. Bird watching is also extremely |
| animal lovers, especially big cat lovers a visit to | | | | popular at the preserve. There more than 78 |
| the Jaguar Preserve is a must. Located about 50 | | | | species of birds found in the area. |
| miles from Belize City, in the Stann Creek District, | | | | Yes, it is a Jaguar Preserve and jaguars are |
| the Jaguar Preserve covers nearly 150 square | | | | nocturnal. However, tourist have happened upon a |
| miles of jungle. The preserve was first declared a | | | | jaguar walking in the middle of a creek in broad |
| forest in 1984 then a Jaguar Preserve in 1986. | | | | daylight! There is approximately only 2500 jaguar |
| This is the prime place to see a jaguar in the wild, | | | | in the preserve. |
| however, other animals also live there too. | | | | If you are planning a visit to the Jaguar Preserve |
| Periodic hurricanes damage and leave marks on | | | | be sure to bring: bug repellent, hat, water bottle, |
| the lush but vulnerable forests of southern Belize. | | | | hiking shoes, camera, binoculars, rain jacket and a |
| Dense secondary growth is interspersed with the | | | | bird identification book. Make sure you pay |
| more mature stands of trees where the forest | | | | attention to the trail, where you are and where |
| floor is relatively clear. The forest canopy ranges | | | | you are going. Cell phones do not work after one |
| in height from 40 to 120 feet. Rainfall is from 100 | | | | gets a certain distance into the jungle. If you do |
| to 180 inches annually here and most of this falls | | | | get lost in the Jaguar Preserve the worst thing |
| in the rainy season, which occurs from June to | | | | you can do is panic. Please stay calm and retrace |
| January. | | | | your steps. |
| Other then trying to find jaguar in the preserve | | | | No matter where you may travel remember to |
| there are many other things to do. There are | | | | respect the wildlife and their space: Do not feed |
| many trails around the preserve with longest | | | | or pet the animals and do not litter. Thank you |
| being Victoria's peek trail at 26.0 miles. This | | | | for having an interest in visiting the Jewel of the |
| magnificent trail takes you right up Mt. Victoria | | | | Caribbean: Belize! |