Residents in South Ambergris Caye are being urged to remain vigilant following a reported jaguar sighting in the area. The South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (SACNW) issued the notice, asking residents to be especially alert at night and to keep pets safely indoors. SACNW said it contacted ACES Wildlife Rescue, which shared that tracks and other signs of jaguar activity had previously been found in the area.
“As a reminder, we live surrounded by beautiful wildlife and it is important that we respect their habitat while taking precautions to keep our families and pets safe,” SACNW stated. The notice is also a reminder that Ambergris Caye is home to wildlife whose habitat faces increasing pressure as the island develops.
Jaguars and Other Wildlife Habitat Threatened
In a separate recent post, ACES Wildlife Rescue raised concerns about the pace of construction and land clearing on Ambergris Caye, urging investors and prospective residents to make informed, ethical choices when considering development projects.
The organization questioned the continued expansion into natural areas while unfinished developments, derelict buildings, and unoccupied properties remain across the island. ACES called for better planning and management, suggesting that making use of those existing properties could offer an alternative to clearing more habitat.
Its message drew particular attention to mangrove areas being cleared and backfilled for construction. ACES encouraged buyers and investors to consider what habitats and species occupied a property before it was cleared, and how their investment decisions could affect the island’s remaining wildlife.
Alongside its post, the organization shared footage it described as coming from its wildlife research cameras that week. ACES warned that some of the species recorded face the threat of local extinction due to human activity.
While the SACNW notice does not establish a connection between this particular sighting and nearby development, both messages bring attention to the responsibility of sharing an island with wildlife.
For residents in South Ambergris Caye, the immediate request is clear: stay vigilant, take extra care at night, and keep pets safely indoors. For the wider community, the conversation also raises a bigger question about how Ambergris Caye can grow while protecting the natural habitats that make it so special.
