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Not only have macaws disappeared, but so has almost other wildlife she has been studying decade.

"This part river so remote I would expect see otters, crocodiles least dozen tapir. fact haven't seen anything very worrying. means fauna being pushed back into smaller area where will harder find food," says Matola.

Twenty years ago, Macal virtually unexplored. Even local Mayans rarely ventured here, allowing some Latin America’s most unique flora fauna flourish. broad cooma palms became favoured nesting sites scarlet macaw, which are fewer than 200 left wild. And Baird's tapir, an ancient relative horse national animal Belize, has found unique riverside vegetation both source food shelter.

But now giant Canadian power company, Fortis, Belize government want build 50-metre high concrete dam on river, flooding more than 1000 hectares rainforest including breeding grounds scarlet macaws Baird’s tapirs.

The Belize government says dam will provide enough power satisfy country’s needs 50 years. Environmentalists say burning bagasse, by-product sugar cane industry, would cheaper, more sustainable source energy.

On Wednesday, battle between developers Belize environmental groups arrives UK. Privy Council, acting its role last court appeal Belize (a colony until 1981), will begin two-day hearing on case. believed first time an environmental issue has come before council an almost 500-year history. And not just fate wildlife stake. Mayans who live downstream village Cristo Rey are worried. Several villagers fear dam could burst swamp their homes.

While environmental impact assessment carried out on behalf Fortis British engineering company Amec, claimed site dam mostly granite – which would provide firm foundations – separate study Belize non-governmental organisations concluded area mostly limestone, porous material unlikely hold back millions gallons water.

Both Fortis its local subsidiary, monopoly utility company, have dismissed environmentalist study, but earlier month Fortis engineer admitted that, after weeks blasting drilling, granite where had said would be.

The climbdown follows months denials smear campaign against Matola other campaigners. However, one engineer insisted discovery "not critical" CHWC, Chinese engineering company working on project – which worked on Three Gorges Dam China – planning transport more than 300,000 tons granite another site "within four weeks."

Photographs taken last week dam site – off limits public – show massive environmental damage, even though Fortis promised impact would minimal.

If Fortis goes ahead with its plans begin quarrying granite next few weeks, will violating Belize law. But appears not deter Fortis. Last April, Belize government rushed through legislation making any rulings over dam courts outside Belize void. "This clearly move designed prevent Privy Council even Inter American Court granting an injunction more tests are carried out prove information submitted Fortis flawed," says Matola, who has led five-year battle against dam.

Brian Holland, geologist who knows Macal area well, added: "Fortis relied on study Amec which submitted flawed data including map which had been digitally altered remove fault. I view criminal act. I wouldn’t want responsible what happens if dam breaks."