Wildtracks

What Wildtracks does

Wildtracks is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization founded in 1990 by Paul and Zoe Walker, headquartered in Sarteneja, Belize, with operations focused on the rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction of endangered species native to Belize. The organization operates two designated national facilities under Memoranda of Understanding with the Belize Fisheries Department and Belize Forest Department: the National Manatee Rehabilitation Centre (established 1999) for Antillean manatees and the National Primate Rehabilitation Centre (established 2010) for Yucatan black howler monkeys and Central American spider monkeys confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. Wildtracks' technical approach is built on structured multi-phase rehabilitation protocols, including a four-stage primate rehabilitation process (quarantine, nursery, forest enclosure socialization, pre-release conditioning) and a five-phase manatee rehabilitation pipeline culminating in soft-release lagoons with post-release satellite tracking. Demonstrated outcomes include a 95% first-year post-release survival rate for howler monkeys, 100% first-year survival for released manatees, 86 howler monkeys released into the Northeast Biological Corridor between 2011 and 2023, and a 12-year population assessment identifying 118 individuals across 23 troops.

The organization's business model is non-donation-based: revenue comes from individual donations, grants from conservation foundations (Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future, Twycross Zoo, Burger's Zoo, Save the Manatee Club), corporate partnerships via the 1% for the Planet network, and volunteer placement fees (US$750 first month, US$650 subsequent months for international volunteers, free for Belize nationals). Wildtracks also manages two protected areas — the 1,818-acre Fireburn Reserve (under agreement with the Fireburn Community) and Balam Na — both integral to the North East Biological Corridor. In August 2024, the organization completed a new purpose-built Endangered Species Rehabilitation Centre replacing facilities that had served for over two decades. Supporting programs include an international volunteer program, school and community education and outreach, sustainable development initiatives in Sarteneja, and accredited training delivery through WildTeam UK to conservation organizations across the region.

Name

Wildtracks

Legal name

Wildtracks

Website

https://wildtracksbelize.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wildtracks is a Belize-based 501(c)(3) non-profit operating the country's National Manatee Rehabilitation Centre and National Primate Rehabilitation Centre under government MoUs, delivering endangered species rescue, rehabilitation, and reintroduction supported by donations, grants, and a paid international volunteer program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife conservation and rehabilitation services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Endangered species conservation
• Manatee rehabilitation programs
• Primate rehabilitation centers
• Protected area management

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarteneja

HQ country

Belize

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Wildtracks operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Revenue comes primarily from donations from individuals, grants from conservation foundations, and environmental partnerships. 100% of donations go directly to supporting Wildtracks' mission. The organization receives funding from organizations including Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future, Twycross Zoo, Burger's Zoo, and Save the Manatee Club for construction and operational programs.
2. Volunteer Program Fees: International volunteers pay US$750 for the first month and US$650 per month for subsequent months. These fees cover food and admin costs. Belize nationals and residents volunteer for free. The fees include modest contribution to programs.
3. 1% for the Planet Partnership: Wildtracks is a vetted environmental partner of 1% for the Planet, through which businesses commit 1% of annual sales to support the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Wildtracks operates wildlife rehabilitation and conservation programs for endangered species native to Belize. The National Manatee Rehabilitation Centre (since 1999) provides rehabilitation care for orphaned and injured Antillean manatees, and the National Primate Rehabilitation Centre (since 2010) rehabilitates Yucatan black howler monkeys and Central American spider monkeys confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade. The organization also manages protected habitat (including the 1,818-acre Fireburn Reserve), delivers biodiversity and threatened-species programs, runs a paid volunteer program, and supports community sustainable development.

Product overview

Wildtracks is a Belize-based nonprofit conservation organization operating since 1990 that offers wildlife rehabilitation and conservation programs. The organization runs two core rehabilitation facilities: the National Manatee Rehabilitation Centre (established 1999) for Antillean manatees, and the National Primate Rehabilitation Centre (established 2010) for Yucatan black howler monkeys and Central American spider monkeys. Wildtracks manages two protected areas (Fireburn Reserve at 1,818 acres and Balam Na) that form part of the North East Biological Corridor, serving as release sites for rehabilitated wildlife. The organization also provides volunteer programs, education and outreach services, and sustainable development support for local communities. In 2024, Wildtracks completed construction of a new purpose-built Endangered Species Rehabilitation Centre.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Manatee Rehabilitation Centre Provides rehabilitation care for orphaned and injured Antillean manatees rescued from Belize's coastal waters under MoU with the Belize Fisheries Department, with the goal of returning rehabilitated manatees to the wild through a multi-phase pool and soft-release protocol.
• National Primate Rehabilitation Centre Rehabilitates Yucatan black howler monkeys and Central American spider monkeys confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade under MoU with the Belize Forest Department, preparing them for reintroduction into protected forest areas via a four-stage protocol.
• Fireburn Reserve An 1,818-acre protected area of tropical forest and mangrove savannas in northeast Belize, managed through agreement with the Fireburn Community, serving as the primary release site for rehabilitated Yucatan black howler monkeys and offering a visitor center, fieldbase, wildlife viewing hide, and trail network.
• Biodiversity Conservation Program Addresses threats to biodiversity in Belize including land use change, climate change, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, illegal wildlife trade, and land-based pollution through partnerships and prioritized strategic approaches.
• Awareness and Outreach Program Conservation education, awareness building, and community outreach efforts focused on local schools with structured field activities exploring ecosystem functions, complemented by interpretive materials at the Fireburn Reserve Visitor Center.
• Volunteer Program Provides opportunities for people of all ages to gain experience in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation at the manatee and primate centres; international volunteers pay US$750 for the first month and US$650 per subsequent month, while Belize nationals and residents participate free of charge.
• Sustainable Development Program Works with communities, particularly Sarteneja, to strengthen community capacity, improve sustainability of local fisheries, and promote income diversification through participatory approaches supporting community-based conservation.
• North East Biological Corridor A critical forest corridor in Belize that provides forest connectivity for climate change adaptation and hosts the howler monkey reintroduction program, managed in partnership with the Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative as part of Belize's nationally important biodiversity corridors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% post-release survival rate for Yucatan black howler monkeys through first five years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Belize Forest DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Wildtracks operates the National Primate Rehabilitation Centre under MoU with the Belize Forest Department. Accepts all primates confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade for rehabilitation and release. Jointly developed Wildlife Conservation and Management Act revisions and Wildlife Policy.
• Belize Fisheries DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1999Wildtracks operates the Manatee Rehabilitation Centre under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Belize Fisheries Department. Collaborates as member of the National Manatee Working Group, an advisory committee to the Department. Joint work on manatee conservation planning and response protocols.
• Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership with Wildtracks Director Zoe Walker as founding Board member. Wildtracks provides technical support for Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary management (second largest marine protected area in Belize). Working together on community development and shift from fishing to tourism in Sarteneja.
• Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for management of North East Biological Corridor and primate reintroduction programs. Collaborative conservation efforts to strengthen forest resilience against climate change through rewilding with seed dispersers.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWildtracks accepted as vetted environmental partner providing impacts across Conservation and Restoration Impact Area. Connects with businesses committing 1% of annual sales to environmental causes.
• WildTeam UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered three accredited training courses in strategic conservation planning, project management, and grant writing. Training strengthened skills across eleven organizations managing nearly 300,000 hectares of manatee-critical habitat.
• Fireburn CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement with Fireburn Community to manage 1,818-acre Fireburn Reserve. Community has protected this forest for over 80 years. Site for Yucatan black howler monkey reintroductions.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWWF featured Wildtracks manatee conservation work in Belize as part of showcase of conservation organizations contributing to ecosystem protection.
• The Nature Conservancy - BelizeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTNC Belize featured Wildtracks manatee rehabilitation in video highlighting Belize's threatened seascapes and wildlife.
• University of SalfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlisha Huotari from University of Salford conducted 7-month field survey for 12-year assessment of howler monkey reintroduction success as part of Masters Thesis.
• Primate Society of Great BritainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWildtracks presented 'Primate Rehabilitation and Release in Belize - A Model for Successful Reintroductions' at PSGB winter meeting.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Clearwater Marine Aquarium operates a marine animal hospital with rescue, rehab, and release programs for dolphins, sea turtles, and otters alongside a public aquarium. A larger, established incumbent in marine animal rescue with a more diversified revenue model including ticketed admissions, comparable in operational function but materially larger in scale than Wildtracks.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Wildlife Conservation Society is a global conservation organization operating field programs across dozens of countries including marine and terrestrial wildlife conservation in the Mesoamerica region. A broad incumbent working on similar species and habitat conservation themes in Belize and the wider region, but at substantially greater scale and geographic reach than Wildtracks.
• Fauna & Flora International: Fauna & Flora International is a global conservation NGO working on threatened species and habitat protection across multiple geographies. Broadly comparable as a species-and-habitat conservation non-profit with donor funding model, though operating at much greater scale and across many more geographies than Wildtracks.

Direct peers

• Save the Manatee Club: Save the Manatee Club is an advocacy and funding organization dedicated to manatee conservation, including financial support for Wildtracks. Closest single-species peer to Wildtracks' manatee program, with overlapping donor base and conservation-advocacy mission.
• The Belize Zoo: The Belize Zoo is a native wildlife zoo and education center located near Belize City, focused on displaying and conserving Belize's indigenous species. Most direct in-country peer sharing Wildtracks' Belize-specific wildlife mandate, education-and-outreach orientation, and reliance on donations and volunteer engagement.
• Pacific Marine Mammal Center: Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California runs a marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation hospital for seals and sea lions. Comparable to Wildtracks' manatee rehabilitation in scale, species-specific focus, and reliance on volunteers and donations, though operating under US regulatory framework.
• The Marine Mammal Center: The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California is a leading marine mammal hospital operating rescue, rehabilitation, and release programs for seals and sea lions. Directly comparable to Wildtracks' manatee program in mission (marine mammal rehab), volunteer-staffed operations, and post-release monitoring focus.
• Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre: Monkey World is a primate rescue centre in Dorset, UK rehabilitating primates confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade and the pet trade. Directly comparable to Wildtracks' primate rehabilitation program in species focus (rescue, rehab, release of confiscated primates) and reliance on public engagement and donations.
• ARCAS Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center: ARCAS operates a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release center in Peten, Guatemala, focused on endangered parrots and other native species. Most directly comparable peer: a Central American non-profit running a multi-species rehabilitation and release program with similar government partnerships and volunteer-driven model.

Others

• Houston Zoo (Conservation Programs): Houston Zoo operates one of the larger accredited zoo conservation programs in the US, directing funds to in-situ conservation partners globally. Functionally analogous to Wildtracks' EAZA-zoo funders (Twycross, Burger's Zoo) - a source of conservation grant funding and partner collaboration rather than a competing service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wildtracks
• Instagraminstagram.com/wildtracks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildtracks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wildtracks