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The dam would flood Macal River Valley – so-called "Biogem" rain forest fertile flood plain home to many endangered species like howler monkey, jaguar, and tapir.

Matola, graduate New College Florida in Sarasota, founder director Belize Zoo. She has launched educational research programs and written children's books.

Matola ended up Belize 20 years ago circuitous route that included stints circus performer lion trainer in Mexico.

Last week, after addressing "Forces Nature" benefit of Natural Resources Defense Council New York City, Matola spoke with National Geographic Today about cause and life.

What could Chalillo dam do?

Sharon Matola guides Princess Anne through Belize Zoo, which she founded almost 20 years ago. Matola leading the fight against proposed Chalillo dam, which would flood Macal River valley destroying prime habitat for many endangered species like jaguar.

It will flood more than 2,000 acres pristine rain forest along about 22 miles [35 kilometers] Macal River valley.

The valley rich biodiversity, including number of endangered species. For example, valley only place left northern Central America where one subspecies scarlet macaw can live undisturbed. other places these macaws are poached have guards watching the nests.

Only about 250 birds survive. But here are living more less always have – should be preserved.

The region corridor wild cats, like the jaguar – which I saw first time valley – for many species migratory birds.

Do you think your campaign will succeed?

We'll just keep fighting hope Fortis Inc. [a power company based Newfoundland, Canada] will tire say this just not worth it. case currently stuck in the Belize Supreme Court. One judgment still pending in a lawsu brought BACONGO [Belize Alliance of Conservation NGOs].

This fight about biodiversity. It's about habitat that these species need survive. Once you knock down their reproductive grounds, then what?

What inspired your passion region?

I tapir specialist group chairperson World Conservation Union [IUCN, based Gland, Switzerland]. My duties were develop tapir action plan, which took me all over Central America doing survey work. That when I got know river valley.

What brought you Belize first place?

As happened, after college I answered an ad Mexican training circus because I thought circus life would enable me travel throughout country survey mushrooms. My undergraduate degree general biology with focus on mycology—study fungi. I developed a passion tropical fungi – nothing known about this stuff – I fascinated how people, especially in Mexico, use different types mushrooms food and medicine.

For awhile perfect arrangement. During day I would go out hours on these fungi forays night I worked dancer lion trainer.

Eventually training circus turned into real circus and settled Mexico City – mushrooming any more and I left Florida. Besides, I hate animal acts.

After I returned, I got letter documentary filmmaker Richard Foster, who needed an assistant. letter included roundtrip ticket Belize.

Richard kept collection about 20 animals he had used documentaries aired U.K. later in the U.S. – intriguing creatures like "Snorkel" anteater, margay, jaguar tapir. These animals became zoo.

What inspired you start zoo?

An old man, native Belizean, visited collection early on he had never seen these animals. Then h me that the people who needed watch these documentary films didn't have television.

I had lot energy I thought starting zoo was a way make bad situation good. Today have 130 animals native Belize – I want people know their wildlife, bond with respect it.

No animal taken wild. Some are bred there, sent to us gifts, people's pets . . . injured.

Who provided funding zoo?

I went Washington raise funds. NGOs wouldn't give me anything – I had zoo experience. I went back Belize.

I raised chickens sold them make money zoo. I baked bread sold it. 1984 I began leading natural history tours nature tour guiding company. All my tours stopped zoo.

In 1990 I acquired basic biology station studying birds – 84 acres [34 hectares]. had basic infrastructure – dorms, house – so I turned into The Tropical Education Center. That's where make lot of the money used support zoo. currently a migratory bird program based – "birds without borders" – a mycology study, students international institutions vis year round.

The zoo costs about U.S.$1 million maintain. I'm an NGO – I just keep fundraising.

Do you ever have regrets about launching long campaign against dam?

The only thing I regret not being able spend time with my birds, my macaws. I used spend up 12 days a time field my research. Not anymore. Sometimes when lawyers call talk about dam I tell someone tell them I'm spending time with my birds the zoo.

Photographs courtesy Wildlife Trust/www.wildlifetrust.org