The Tapir Gallery

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Although this page is outdated, it provides historical information about
conservation efforts to stop a dam that should never have been built.

For a 2008 update on the story, see the book by Bruce Barcott
describing Sharon Matola's drastic fight to save the river.

There was more. Broken links have been deleted.


Chalillo (Dam) Scheme threatens
tapirs and other wildlife in Belize

A Letter from Sharon Matola
A rebuttal by Sharon Matola on the web site of the Belize Zoo.

Press Release ~ February 26, 1999
Sharon Matola, Director of the Belize Zoo and Chair of the IUCN/SSC Tapir Specialist Group, explains the Chalillo Scheme and how it would devastate wildlife in Belize. Includes a list of places to write.

Sharon Matola responds to the Belize Electricity Board
This letter describes the project in greater detail, and describes more fully the impact it will have on wildlife and ruins of the Maya culture.