Typhlopseudothelphusa acanthochela.

The Chiquibul Cave System (CCS) is the longest and largest known network of caves in Central America. Over 55 km of passages have been mapped and surveyed, including the largest known passage and cave room in the Western Hemisphere. The CCS is located within the Chiquibul National Park, whose dimension consists of over 264,000 acres in the Cayo District forming a vital part of the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains Key Biodiversity Area. It is a vast broadleaf forest, not only with populations of many endangered species, but also numerous Geological and Archaeological features such as ancient Maya Sites, Caves and Sinkholes. The CCS, due to its extent and integrity represents one of those unique and prestigious cultural features of the Chiquibul forest worthy of national and global importance.

Seedlings of unidentified species found 1 km inside Actun Tunkul.

Together with the Rufford Foundation and the Institute of Archaeology, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) will initiate a monitoring presence in the area for the protection of the Cave System and gather critical field data about the status of two sections of the Cave System, namely Actun Tunkul and Cebada. It also will seek to build public support and pride for the protection of the Chiquibul Cave System and the surrounding natural ecosystem through an environmental education and public outreach.

The light and penumbral zones of Actun Tunkul.

The cave system is nestled inside Belize’s largest protected area, a region being co-managed by the Friends for Conservation and Development. This area is daily impacted by illegal poachers, looters, and loggers. The activation of a monitoring and exploration endeavour in the Chiquibul Cave System will enable FCD to institute a management presence in the area for the protection of the Cave System; and obtain field notes about the conditions of two sections of the Cave System, namely Tunkul and Cebada. With a better knowledge of the area, FCD will then produce educational materials geared for local children and adults with the intention of building local pride and support for this national heritage. At FCD we are aware that people will only protect the CCS unless they appreciate it and to appreciate it then they need to understand and be aware of these majestic features.

These specific interventions will serve as preliminary steps for a long lasting protection program for the Chiquibul Cave System.