About Us
Our Mission
The Belize Raptor Center is dedicated to educate and inspire conservation of raptors and their habitat. Rescue and rehabilitate injured and orphaned birds of prey.
Belize Raptor Center’s goal is to increase knowledge of raptors and there by lower human incident conflicts such as shooting, poaching, poisoning and habitat destruction.
When needed rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey will be conducted at the onsite facility with the goal of releasing back into the wild.
Birds of prey that are non-releasable and show a willingness to be an ambassador for their species will be given permanent sanctuary at Belize Raptor Center and considered for use in educational outreach.
Belize Raptor Center provides free interactive presentations to local schools, students will have a once in a lifetime meet and greet with our avian ambassadors, while we teach them what makes a raptor and the services they provide for us.
Belize Raptor Center relies on financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can make a charitable donation or sponsor an avian conservation project.
Our Vision
Over the past few years, Belize Raptor Center has striven to make a huge impact on hundreds of students and teachers with our outreach visits to dozens of classrooms, libraries, and educational fairs across the country. Our work has focused on teaching Belizeans about the importance of raptors to our culture, ecology and tourism industry. BRC seeks to complement the work done by other organizations and we regularly collaborate as a result of shared goals.
As effective as the classroom visits are, however, BRC has established a onsite flight enclosure and now focuses on getting students out of the classroom and to the center. This allows BRC to host school field trips, camps, birding groups, and much more outdoor oriented activities. By visiting the center students, teachers and parents get a more interactive and memorable educational talk, meeting several of the centers none releasable ambassadors, making unforgettable memories which will inspire them to protect these species and the environment that they share. A one of a kind experience for all Belizeans to enjoy.
The raptors at BRC were all rescued, and now live in sanctuary. These ambassadors allow Belizeans to learn about their importance by using the sanctuary as a “living classroom” would have a profound impact on them, and help preserve these important icons of Belize’s natural heritage for future generations.
We just completed a documentary with Pro Marketing Ltd. Enjoy learning about the work we do in our short version 10 minute shown here or check out our YouTube channel, grab some popcorn and enjoy our 30 minute full version that dives deep into the ins and outs of the Raptor Center.
Our Team
Sarah Mann
Founding Director
Sarah first came to Belize in 2011 with NMSU as a student. She later began working for the Peregrine Fund on the Orange-breasted Falcon project in the Mountain Pine Ridge. In 2012 she started the Belize Raptor Center as way to educate the public on the importance of birds of prey as apex predators. Since then she has received grants through the 501c3 for a full avian clinic onsite and an education grant which covers free off-site school visits and provides 5 free conservation programs at the center each week.
Sarah is also a full-time mother to an amazing 6-year-old jungle boy and 14-month-old baby girl.
Agustin Benitez
Property Manager
Agustin is the main man behind the scenes, he is the heart that keeps the center clean, enclosures built and maintained, road accessible, and so much more. When he is not at work with the center he is the pastor for the local Calvary Baptist church where he shares his love for God with many in the community. Also hosting kid camps and helping us with our feeding programs through the church. On days off from both, you can find him hanging out with his wife, fishing or working on his property.
Dr. Cyn Pensado
Avian Veterinarian
Hi there! I’m Cyn Pensado and I’m veterinarian from Mexico City with experience in small animal practice and wildlife medicine.
I’m really interested and passionate about wildlife conservation medicine especially focus on rescue, rehabilitate and rewild all kind of wildlife. I have worked and volunteered on different conservation programs, rescue centres and zoos at Mexico and Costa Rica.
I enjoy my free time trying to be close nature, doing hiking, scuba diving, photography, freediving, traveling but also I’m keep learning and studying for my patients. ❤️
I’m really happy to be at BRC, willing to help and learn from others and work at communities”
Emil Pook
Husbandry Manager and Bird Trainer
Hello my name is Emil Pook , the husbandry manger and bird trainer at the Belize raptor center, my passion for our amazing ambassador comes from the heart, mind and soul. Working with these birds of prey is an absolute privilege and to be at their side on a daily basis, I get to help mold them into the exceptional ambassador they are today for all people to learn about. My line of work has nestled from a youth growing up in a small village filled with abundant wildlife and now my dedication to help these raptors has no limits
Reyna Choj
Education Manager and Bird Trainer
Hello, I’m Reyna Choj, the Educational Manager at the Belize Raptor Center, where I not only focus on teaching about raptors but also take care of them through training, husbandry, and rehabilitation. While my work centers on these amazing birds, my love for the environment goes far beyond just raptors. I’m passionate about conserving nature and hope to one day work as a research biologist or become a wildlife veterinarian. In 2023, I had the honor of being crowned Miss Earth Belize, which gave me a chance to promote environmental awareness and help my community. Outside of work, I express my creativity through art, exploring various styles in painting and drawing. Additionally, I’m dedicated to improving as a track and field athlete. So, my drive for growth extends beyond these activities, constantly looking for new ways to learn and give back, both to nature and to my community.
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“We had such a wonderful and educational experience. We visited the Belize Raptor Center with our toddler who was just enthralled with the raptors. Sara and Rob are very knowledgeable about the birds they are rehabilitating. The demonstrations with the up and close raptors were captivating! Would recommend to anyone in the San Ignacio area. We had a rental car which was convenient but many resorts offer transportation to this attraction.”
– agrip2015, Tripdvisor
“We had such a wonderful and educational experience. We visited the Belize Raptor Center with our toddler who was just enthralled with the raptors. Sara and Rob are very knowledgeable about the birds they are rehabilitating. The demonstrations with the up and close raptors were captivating! Would recommend to anyone in the San Ignacio area. We had a rental car which was convenient but many resorts offer transportation to this attraction.”
– agrip2015, Tripdvisor