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Published on: 3/6/2008
Last Visited: 3/7/2008
Tanya Williams Thompson, Advocacy Program Manager - Belize Audubon Society
"This is due to two rocks that have collapse in the cave system and these rocks are approximately four hundred to five hundred pounds each.After an assessment by the Institute of Archeology they deemed it to be a safety hazard and because of this Belize Audubon Society has decided to close Saint Herman's Cave.However, the Saint Herman's Blue Hole remains open and also other features that people enjoy, they can continue to enjoy that.For now cave is close and we hope to have some remedial action and have the cave open again and once the Institute of Archeology has assessed those corrections and deemed it safe we will reopen the cave."
Thompson said that both co-managements of the park, the Belize Audubon Society and the Forest Department did not know about the condition of the rocks in side the cave prior to their collapse.
Tanya Williams Thompson, Advocacy Program Manager - Belize Audubon Society
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Tanya Williams Thompson, Advocacy Program Manager - Belize Audubon Society
"For right now we cannot say what is going to be the time frame but as soon as the Institute of Archeology has deemed it safe after they have assessed the corrective actions have been made, but I encourage people who have planned a trip to Saint Herman's cave to still continue on their trip as there are many other features they can enjoy there at the park."
Belize Audubon Society has also responded to a shooting incident that occurred last week while they were conducting a patrol in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Tanya Williams Thompson, Advocacy Program Manager - Belize Audubon Society
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Thompson explained this is the not the first time Oh was found within the park.
Tanya Williams Thompson, Advocacy Program Manager - Belize Audubon Society
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Tanya Williams Thompson, Advocacy Program Manager - Belize Audubon Society
"It's not only fishermen, we also have illegal incursions.There is a variety of things that occur, sometimes we have fishing, illegal hunting, illegal logging, some come to cut xate, there is a variety of things , we have had major incidents especially with night hunters."
Thompson said that both the Audubon Society and the forest department will continue to conduct patrols of protected areas.The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a protected area in 1986.