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Courtney Weatherburne has more on how impactful this new post will be in safeguarding the resources in that area.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
These BDF officers are very much used to climbing up and down these watch towers, its part of their daily routine. The only difference today is that

They are overlooking another area of the Chiquibul from a brand new conservation post.

Courtney Weatherburne
"The Caballo Conservation Post is one of four posts in the Chiquibul. It's located in the North western part of the National park. Now, it might seem like just another tactical base for park rangers. But really, it's at the front line of Belize's fight to keep Guatemalan poachers out of the Chiquibul where they have been exploiting and abusing the protected resources, from land, to Scarlet Macaws, to timber, Xate, gold, and wildlife. But even though they have these four posts, the fight continues."

And it's a fight the BDF and park rangers hope to win in the Caballo area by establishing a strong and steady presence.

Rafael Manzanerero, Executive Director, FCD
"The building will be able to accommodate up to 14 persons and that should include the space for the Belize Defense Force, the Forest Department, and FCD and of course also the police so that should be a group of at least 12 to 14 individuals at any given time."

"The construction was really in a short period in a matter of some 3 to 4 weeks it was already up and then only the final bits and pieces but what really took much time is the opening of the road since we really had to provide access to come into this place."

Before this road was cleared, the patrol team would have to trek quite a long way to get to the Caballo area.

Lt. Col. Anthony Velasquez, BDF
"Our soldiers, they normally walk in here and it takes them about 4 hours okay with their full kit and everything else."

But now, the Caballo area is only a rough 45 minutes' drive away - it's an upgrade that will help the BDF carry out more effective patrols in what is known as a problem spot.

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD
"This area was identified because it is a hotspot which basically means there have been activities documented and you know just across from here when you look at the western flank of the park you will find, you know behind some of the mountains you will find one of two small settlements of Guatemalans so we already know these are areas that practically would have a mobilization of people from time to time."

On a quick aerial tour in the BDF helicopter, we can see those settlements more clearly, as well as the severe land and resource degradation they have caused.

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, FCD
"The threats here primarily would be the cattle ranching and slash the milpa farms so that will be the main one that this CP will be looking after."

Dr. Omar Figueroa, Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry
"The conservation post along with our joint effort will help to prevent the further exploitation of the natural and cultural resources of our country."

While our journey ends here, the ranger work never ends. It's just starting because as more posts are built, the more crafty Guatemalan poachers become.. Reporting for 7news I am Courtney Weatherburne.

Set out against a vast expanse of green, the conservation post was constructed at a cost $115,000 Belize dollars. Important to note is that there is a separate room at the post for 1 female BDF soldier.