Jan says the sale of butterflies is mainly toassist the work of the International TropicalConservation Foundation in the 22,000 acresreserve. The breeding centre with a live butter­fly display is open to Belizeans and it is hopedthat this will bring about an appreciation of ourwildlife and these colourful insects."In Switzerland," says Jan, "these butterflies

are placed' in their show place labelled 'Belize'and in a way help promote Belize and the idea

of protecting our tropical for­ests. "Jan says that "the breeding

of butterflies is not a lucrativebusiness for us, but it helps .maintain the reserve and thusprotect other animal species. "

So while butterflies en­lighten us with their beautythey are now helping withconservation efforts so thatother animals can continue toroam wild and free. 0

Belizean butterflies have found a place inEurope's prestigious butterfly houses, wherethousands of visitors get a chance to view themin their habitat and normal behaviour.

Since 1989 Jan and Tineke Meerman fromHolland, have been breeding over 25 butterflyspecies per year, which they ship to SWISSbutterfly houses. The couple undertakes thetedious job ·of collecting butterflies and breed­ing them inspecially made cages at the ShipsternNature Reserve in theCorozalDistrict.There are about 200 butter­

fly species at the reserve aloneand about 500 species coun­try-wide. Those at the re­serve are mostly canopy spe­cies which disappear whenthe forest is cut.

The butterflies are trans­ported to Europe three timesweekly as mature pupas ornewly-born butterflies.

(L-R) Jan and Tineke care for the pupas.Jan y Tineke cuidando de las pupas.

BELIZEAN BUTTERFLIES IN EUROPE

osos hormigueros, armadillos, venados y otrosanimales mamarios, amfibios 0 reptiles. Elsaniuariocomprende a ocho aldeasy docenas de agricultores ..Talves el mas conocido de todos es el Santuario~

de la vida silvestre, Cuenca Cockscomb. Las100, ()()()acres son la unica reserva para el jaguaren el mundo. La preserva y "losjaguares han sidodestacados en los periodicos .y revistasinternacionales. En 1985, elDuque de Edingburglillego a Belice solo para ver este santuario y susjaguares en su capacidad como Presidente delFondo Mundial para la Naturaleza. La preserva ,fue desarrollada por la Sociedad Audubon deBelice confondos del Fondo Mundial para la VidaSilvestre.Aqui los enpeligrados ocelot, el puma, otros de

la razafelina y el mas casado de todos - eljaguar,

trict where the 18-square mile sanctuary estab­lished to protect the Black Howler Monkey or"baboon", is owned by the landowners. Theendangered Black Howler Monkey has a limitedrange which includes southern Mexico, Belize andisolated areas of Guatemala. Since 1985, thefarmers have signed voluntary conservationpledges, committing their farming practices to theneeds of the monkeys and other wildlife in thesanctuary. These commitments include protectingforests along the river banks, leaving food treesand forest when clearing land.

The sanctuary is open to visitors and is afavourite spot for those who enjoy the sound ofwildlife, particularly the rasping sound of the"baboon." The monkeys have found a safe homein Belize. They feel so confident that they let

BELIZE TODAY November/December, 199112