7 News Belize

A Lion Of The Conservation Movement Passes
posted (April 12, 2013)
Tonight we note the passing of a giant in Belize's conservation community. Leonel Heredia, known as "Chocolate" died this afternoon at 1:00 pm at his home in Caye Caulker. He had been troubled by an aneurysm for the past two weeks and that's what took his life this afternoon. "Don Choc" as we affectionately called him, was 83.

In his young days, he was a fisherman and later on became a founding member of the Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association with his boat, "The Soledad."

But he was best known for his deep affinity for manatees and in 2002, he got the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary legally established. When it was established, the then 73 year old told us that he hoped to bequeath a legacy to coming generations yet unborn:…

Chocolate died in the company of his wife of the past 25 years, Annie. She told us he was at peace and died without pain. The funeral plans have not been finalized.

Leonel "Chocolate" Heredia, dead at 83.

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