Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary situated in the Orange Walk District off the Northern Highway is home to many migratory flocks including herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills and dozens of other species. Perhaps the most impressive, although elusive, is the jabiru stork. With a nine-foot wing span the jabiru is the largest bird in Belize and the Western hemisphere.

The sanctuary is a part of the New River Reserve system which features the longest river that is entirely confined to Belize and forms the New River Lagoon, the largest body of fresh water in country. It comprises a string of four separate lagoons, connected by swamps and rivers. Covering over 3,000 acres. The reserve was set up by the Belize Audubon Society in 1984 and is now managed by volunteers.

One of the most popular attractions in the area is the Lamanai Mayan Ruin located on the banks of the New River Lagoon. Beside the exotic bird species the New River area is a very rich habitat for mammals and reptiles including, howler monkeys and Morelet’s crocodiles. These gave Lamanai its Mayan name for “submerged crocodile” and make the prospect of swimming, while safe, rather nerve-wracking. Apart from pointing out birdlife, most boat guides will bump up against gutted tree trunks on the shoreline, covered in tiny, sleeping bats, waking them up and sending clouds over passengers’ heads. By the time you reach the ruins, you may feel like Indiana Jones, and since you may very well have the place all to yourself, there will be nobody to destroy the feeling.

If you are a nature and wildlife lover this area is a must stop when visiting Belize. You can take a Lamanai tour trip from a few of the popular destinations in Belize including Ambergris Caye or you can spend a few nights at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge (recommended) conveniently located near the ruins. The lodge is noted for the healthy pack of howler monkeys that lives near it.

COCKSCOMB BASIN WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Cockscomb Basin is the only jaguar preserve in the world and home to a host of endangered felines and other exotic wildlife. Located in southern Belize, this sacred parcel of nature is one of Belize's most fascinating areas. Its jungle-like terrain in the Stann Creek District sprawls below the jagged peaks of the Maya Mountain's Cockscomb Range, and ranges east toward the sea. Declared a national reserve and a “No Hunting" area in 1984, it was established to protect the large jaguar population and other resident wildlife. In 1986, a small potion of the forest reserve was given sanctuary status, which afforded it complete protection. In 1990 the sanctuary was expanded to include the entire forest reserve, resulting in a totally protected area of over 100,000 acres.

Ancient Maya Indians were the basin's first known human inhabitants. Evidence of their existence in this region is confirmed by the ruins of a minor ceremonial site known as Chucil Baalum, reportedly built during the Classic Period of their civilization. Geographically, the Cockscomb Basin ringed on three sides by ridges and mountains rising from about 300 feet above sea level to more than 3,675 feet at the summit of Victoria Peak, the country's highest point.

Most of the reserve is situated in the lands east of the Southern Highway between Dangriga and the turn off to Placencia. Within the reserve, a history of selective logging and hurricanes has created a mosaic of mature and dense secondary forest with a canopy rising 40-120 feet. The basin is honeycombed by a maze of creeks and tributaries merging to form the headwaters of the Swasey and South Stann Creek rivers and a part of the Sittee River headwaters. Although the jaguar may be the basin's primary icon, the diverse ecosystem also protects a sizeable percentage of Belize's plant and animal species. Included on the list are the endangered ocelots, margays, Baird's tapir and scarlet macaws. The jaguar is the third largest member of the cat (or feline), family. The highest density of jaguars yet recorded is found here, where males maintain overlapping territories running as much as 16 square miles. Female ranges do not overlap and are about a third as large. The jaguar (and puma) use old roads and trails to travel and hunt, often delineating their territories by vocalizations, depositing feces, and/or leaving scratch marks.

The lush jungle of the Cockscomb is also a birder's paradise. Over 290 species have been recorded, including the scarlet macaw. The basin is also home to numerous species of reptiles and amphibians such as the red-eyed tree frog, boa constrictor, iguana and the deadly fer-de-lance. The jungle itself is a myriad of plant species such as giant tree ferns, orchids, air plants and spectacular climbing vines.